Newsletter for January 2026

The yearly transformation at Bay Laurel Garden Center in Atascadero has been accomplished. Bare-root fruit trees dominate the landscape. It’s amazing how many choices a small town nursery is able to offer. The fact that we ship trees all over the country helps us offer this great diversity. We encourage you to take advantage of the great selection!

You can browse our online bare root catalog from the comfort of your home at https://baylaurelnursery.com. Additionally, you will see an up-to-date list of the availability. And you can save money if you buy in our Atascadero store. A few new items this year include some nectarines and the quince ‘Big Jim’. Don’t procrastinate! Things sell out!

Roses are ready to be bagged up and taken home at Bay Laurel Garden Center. We offer the usual types – hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers, shrubs and miniatures. Tree roses are not on the website but we have an excellent selection at the nursery. A relatively new trend with breeders is the old fashioned, multi-petaled form, much like the David Austen roses. Star Roses has introduced the “Romantica” series. As well as being extremely full petaled, most all are very fragrant. Varieties include ‘Ball Gown’, ‘Rouge Royale’, ‘Liv Tyler’, and ‘Yves Piaget’.

The wet year brings with it ideal prospects for the fungal disease Peach Leaf Curl. The disease attacks peaches and nectarines. Our best suggestion to deal with it is by spraying Liqui-cop. Spray at least twice during the dormant season. The most important application is right before the buds open. It is also best to add a sticker spreader for greater adherence.

Winter bloom – yes! Here’s a short history of the Erysimum. There are several native species, most with small yellow flowers. Then ‘Bowles Mauve’ arrived. This variety with its mauve flowers becomes a bush, growing to 3 or 4 feet and lasting about 5 years. The newest perennial varieties have multi-colored petals – they bloom now! Included are ‘Lemon Glow’, ‘Glow Orange’ and ‘Sunstrong Violet’. Heights vary from 12 to 24″.

Never discount the allure of Camellias – a mainstay of the shade garden. The dark green glossy leaves make it great backdrop all year long and this is the season they show off their gorgeous blooms. We carry two species – Sasanqua and Japonica at Bay Laurel Garden Center in Atascadero.

We still have lots of garlic bulbs for sale – including ‘Elephant Garlic’. The plant is most closely related to leeks. This variety is milder than most, giving a more mellow flavor to dishes. Once the weather has cleared we expect more herbs and vegetable starts as well as colorful annuals.