Camellia

Spring is here and its not too late to plant this elegant flower

Loropetalum - Chinese Fringe Flower

Loropetalum

'Chinese Fringe Flower' 

Loropetalum varieties are increasing. The most popular ones are Majestic Purple and Chang Nian Hong [aka Ever Red]. They have really dark purple leaves.  The Chang Nian Hong has a dark red flower. That being said, the green leaf with white flower variety is making a comeback with homeowners.

Loropetalum is a plant everyone can grow and have in their yard. Grows in light shade to full sun. Can be shaped easily to maintain the desired form. Compact varieties (3' to 4' tall) are becoming more available in the plant market.

Pistacia chinensis

Fall Color 

Time to look for that leaf color you have been waiting to plant in your yard. Fall is around the corner and leaf color change will be starting soon. I am seeing it with trees and shrubs that are under stress in existing landscapes.  When plants are changing color at your favorite retail nursery, be ready to purchase when you see the color scheme appear on the plant. This is especially true with Pistacia, Nyssa, Maples and even Crape Myrtles.Most plants in containers tend to change color a few weeks later than when in the landscape.This gives you time to determine which fall color plant you want after seeing it in existing landscape designs.

Fall Leaves

Worm Composting

 Couldn't believe how fast the worms can eat and make worm compost. 
                    Too easy to do. Check out the UC Sonoma site:
http://ucanr.org/sites/scmg/Workshops/

California Poppy

Berberis x Aurea

Berberis Aurea in #1 cans

Berberis 'Aurea' has eye catching bright golden yellow leaves. It is slow growing to 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall and wide.  In the hot valley heat of Summer, likes some afternoon shade.  Can be planted in full with coastal influence. Also great in container pots with other purple foliage plants.

Patio Tree Crape Myrtle

Limited Time. Offering Lagerstroemia 'World's Fair' patio tree. Grafted at 3' in #15 can. Currently 20 available for 2012 season.



Flower of Crape Myrtle"World's Fair'



Thuja x 'Green Giant'

Thuja x (standishii x plicata) Green Giant

Thuja (aka Arborvitae) 'Green Giant' has been gaining popularity as an evergreen screen. A good replacement for the Coastal Redwood that needs more water and the Leyland Cypress that can have die-out. A fast grower when young with proper irrigation. Waterwise when established in the landscape. Has no obvious insect problems. Average height is 35' to 40' in 25 to 30 years.
Will grow from the Bay area to the Valley and Lake Tahoe. Tolerates most soil types.

What a difference a year makes with the Weather

Spring 2012 is off to be a better start than 2011. Given what we all had last year, this is a good sign for the nursery industry. Precipitation is slowing catching up to average. A good thing. The ground was getting too dry. Becoming too difficult to dig in.

Hemerocallis

Day Lily 'Red Rum'

Hemerocallis x 'Red Rum'

Global Cooling in June



Tahoe in June 2011



Snow on June 2 in Lake Tahoe.  What a sight.  Was cool seeing snow on the tree branches early that morning.  This was a little later that day.

Coral Bark Maple - Acer palm. Sango Kaku

Sango Kaku - Coral Bark

A favorite leaf of mine for a Japanese maple. New growth, cool days and sun produced this amazing leaf.

Vulcan Magnolia - Hugh Ruby Rose Flower

Vulcan Magnolia

Greenhouses Full of Citrus Varieties

Greenhouses full of citrus

 Once the frost season ends, it will be a good time to plant your favorite citrus.  Please view my availability list for the complete selection that I grow.






Meyers Lemon




Owari Satsuma Mandarin



Magnolia

Fall At The Nursery

The Western Greenhouse

Portland and the Far West Show

I was an exhibitor at the Far West Show in Portland, Oregon. The show offered a extensive array of cool Oregon plant material and interesting seminars. But for me, the real appeal of Portland is the Pearl District, great food, and the breweries.

Steel Water feature in the Pearl District.