Paying it Forward with “Pandemic Plants”

Like most of us, retired Saddleback College biology professor, Jane Horlings, was shocked and saddened by the sudden and enormous changes wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. “I really felt helpless that first day when we were suddenly stuck at home and I knew we were in this for the long haul. I had this sad feeling where there was just a big hole inside and I had to fill it.” And indeed, she did.

Like a lot of her Capo Beach neighbors, Jane loves her garden, the front section of which is a unique terraced landscape that lines two sides of a well travelled sidewalk along Camino Capistrano – a major thoroughfare in this eclectic beachside community that is part of the City of Dana Point. The grounds of the home Jane shares with her husband, a retired firefighter, is located on the north side between Via Sacramento and Via California. It’s filled with her favorites - succulents and cacti – a beautiful variety of both hardy and delicate species; cacti like Echinopsis which surprises with a rare but vibrant bloom; variegated agaves and impressive Epiphyllum orchids.

Jane adds to the neighborhood experience by drawing chalk images and messages on the sidewalk with instructions like “Look up! This cactus is about to bloom.”; or “Check out the purple cactus flowers on the upper level”; and identifying “Buckwheat”, “Lantana”, “Fire-cracker plant” or other favorites. She chats with passersby daily, offering unique “dolphin” succulents to a couple of teen girls, or, a favorite with kids - Staphilia, (starfish plant) which has flowers that smell like “poop” to attract pollinating flies.

Most impressive is Jane’s running sidewalk tally of plants donated to strangers. As of today, 44 days into the pandemic, this diminutive but energetic woman has lovingly planted and donated 466 plants in containers as unique as her designs. The sign taped to the sidewalk and updated daily says “Take a free succulent and give it a good home.” Her only request is that donors take one plant only (Jane was chagrined to see one nameless person show up in a truck and cart off five plants one day – not cool). She also asks, if possible, that folks return the favor with donations of containers of any kind. She’s planted tea cups, candle holders, large ceramic planters and even glass jars – you donate it; she’ll plant it!

The forward “payment” bounces right back to Horlings. Jane receives numerous accolades from strangers and neighbors alike, some of them in the form of heartfelt written notes, like the one that says, “To the plant person. Thank you for your kindness”.

To Jane, a 30-year resident of Capistrano Beach, a quintessentially quaint and friendly neighborhood, it’s no big deal. “I know this is a street that gets a lot of dog walkers and strollers and skate boarders, and I just thought I could pay it forward by making people smile." Thank you, Jane. You definitely inspire a lot of smiles in a difficult time.