We are having an incredible stretch of very mild weather, and the nursery is getting busy earlier than usual ! Everyone is eager to fix-up their pots and patios…. including me !
We are receiving plant shipments already – fresh perennials, small evergreen shrubs and ‘fluffy colour’ like primula.
The first week of February will bring us amazing hellebores from the O’Byrnes in Oregon, and from other breeders as well. I will show lots of them on our website !
Seeds are in already. We now carry ‘ West Coast Seeds’ which is a great local brand, and still offer ‘Rennee’s Seeds’ and the Italian vegetable seed brand ‘Gusto’. I make a point of having lots of plastic seed trays, clear dome lids, divided cell packs, plastic labels and sterilized potting/seed mix on hand.
With the return of the shoppers, comes the return of the dogs ! We love dogs, and value their opinions. We know many of them by name , and here is ’Magee’ getting a tour of our new, more level and opened- up shopping area . We always have doggie treats on hand, not just plant treats for their owners !
January 23, 2010
The Return of the Shoppers
January 4, 2010
Agave Madness !
Agaves could very well be the new Echeverias . I really do still like ‘playing’ with echeverias, but no longer require the hundreds I used to save every winter in our greenhouses. In my book ‘The Jewel Box Garden’ (Timber Press), echeverias are showcased very well . But it is agaves that steal the show every time they are used in mixed succulent pots or on their own.
With a very organized and formal growth habit, agaves have no choice but to be the focal point ! Incredibly sharp spines are waiting on every leaf tip, so admire from a distance. Agaves are easy to grow in pots – full sun, not too much water, and (atleast in the Northwest), not left out all winter as they will freeze and rot with our constant wetness. Grow them indoors in your brightest window during the cold season, and place back outside when it warms up.
For this Spring, Southlands has brought in hundreds of baby agaves, in named varieties. These are the result of tissue culture (cloning), and are subsequently very well-priced . We are growing them on, and will start selling them soon !