Among the many glories of spring – flowering trees. We have some lovely specimens of cherries, crabapples and plums. Of course, fruiting trees also have their beautiful blossoms. We potted the fruit trees that remained from the bareroot season and have brought in some additional varieties. New this week, compact blueberries that make perfect container plants. Don’t forget the acid potting soil.
Have you noticed those tiny fruits on your peach and nectarine trees? If so, it’s time to prevent the Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris) from defacing the adult fruit. Several options include the insecticide Monterey’s ‘Take Down’ and horticultural oil. Nectarines seem to be the most susceptible. Apple blossoms will appear next and with them the coddling moths. Traps can be used to detect them and if you have only one or two trees this may eradicate them. Otherwise we recommend using the above mentioned remedies.
Summer annuals are slowly arriving – the usual petunias, marigolds, lobelia plus some more unusual items as Nicotiana, Queen Anne’s Lace, Godetia, Linaria and Lisianthus. The shade house is looking particularly colorful. You will find ‘Ruby Slipper’ Coleus, zonal and ivy geraniums plus Fuchsia ‘Autumnale’ – a variety with colorful leaves and two shades of Bacopa.
We were fortunate to have a successful bareroot season. The unsold roses have been potted up but we receive many requests for other varieties. Therefore, we are currently trying to supply the demand. If you have a rose on your list, let us know and we’ll see if it’s available.
The desire for native California plants grows every year. Manzanitas are always at the top of the list. This year we have one of the largest selections of 15 gallon plants ever. The varieties include ‘St. Helena’, ‘Louis Edmonds’ and ‘Sentinel’. You’ve undoubtedly noticed the glorious blooms on the Ceanothus. These plants can be somewhat short lived, but they are nevertheless really worth if for their spring show.
Have you ever seen a friendlier sun?
The world of succulents is gigantic. We stock lots of different varieties. Shown here is Sedeveria ‘Jet Beads’. The plant is a cross between Sedum and Echeveria. It’s great for containers – the leaves turn a copper color in the winter. Aside from container planting. we also carry six packs of ground cover types with varying shades of flowers – yellow, white, pink. All quite drought tolerant.
Wow! We have a lot of vegetable gardeners around these parts. Tomatoes and peppers rank high on the desirability list. For herbs, basil and parsley. But you will also see squash, cucumbers, corn, beans and much more trickling in week by week. Also arriving, many gallon tomatoes for the impatient tomato lover. Included are the newest hybrids – ‘Marriage’ tomatoes. These are two crosses of heirloom varieties. The advantages include improved vigor, earlier and greater production.
