Our benches are filling up with lots of yummy new perennials ! Every day brings a few more trucks with orders and offerings – Spring must be here.
We always like to buy ‘full’ pots – usually older crops that will flower this year, not next. Beware of loose plantings, instant ‘re-pots’and wobbly plants sold near and far.
Because we really do know plants, we only buy the best. And, lots of growers respect this and are eager to show us their finest. It works out well!
Winter ? Really ? Arum italicum and its various forms and hybrids sold under this name are probably winter’s best foliage. In December/January their beautifully engraved leaves pop out of the ground looking fresher than fresh . The foliage is big and bold, and shows up well against dark soil. This plant tolerates absolute torture ! Summer drought, winter wet, total shade, burning sun…. no problem. This show will go on no matter what you do or don’t do.
In late spring, your nose will alert you that something died in a pile of mothballs amongst the pretty leaves. A quick inspection will reveal large apple green spathes (envision a stretched- out Calla lily). This stinky ‘flower’ will eventually become a kooky hotdog-on-a-stick of bright orange berries. They are very ornamental . Leave them alone. Eventually, they will topple over and lots of baby Arums will sprout. That is what happened in the above photo.
What I really like is the variation in each seedling ! Some have better markings than others, just like people ! You can dig them up and separate each plant, or just let them form a big clump of mixed foliage.
Drop by the nursery and see what we now have for sale. Look at our gorgeous clumps by the front gate ! (on the inside, of course).
Whatever you do, don’t leave without your very own Arum italicum - Nature’s pretty, secret , summer stink bomb !
One gallon pot size are $9.99 each
We are selling more Hellebores than ever ! Lots of progress has been made in breeding and cloning – the plants are vigorous and stunning !
We are excited to have a lovely batch of blooming hybrids from the O’Byrnes in Eugene , Oregon. Everyone now knows theirs are the best.
This is the last year they are selling blooming plants to other nurseries , apparently. So, hustle down here fast – every one is lovely.
I remember (not that many years ago) travelling to Seattle at 5 A.M. to get in line to buy a double hellebore for $50.00 .
With the 50% exchange rate back then it was closer to 100.00 by the time I got it home.
OURS ARE FLYING OUT OF HERE @ $29.99 and $39.99 each
Here they are ! For Spring 2012, I have designed two exclusive bulb collections to make creating beautiful combinations in your garden a no-brainer.
With access to virtually anything I thought would be affordable and easy to grow, I put together one ‘creamy peach’ collection, and one ‘dark drama’ collection. I am calling them the ‘Bel’Occhio Collections’ . Bel’Occhio is Italian for ‘Beautiful Eye’ – ’nuf said.
Both are priced at only $19.99 ! This is less than these bulbs would sell for on their own. What a great gift idea ! I think they would be great to take to dinner (instead of wine)…. or for a ‘Thank You’ of any type.
We can ship them to you, anywhere in Canada ! Drop by or phone us to make your selections before they’re all gone ! Shipping fees extra, at cost.
Phone: 604-261-6411, Fax 604-261-6403
Next year , 2013, look for them nationwide at better garden centres .
Bel’Occhio Collection # 1 includes : @ $19.99
1 tuber clump of Giant Dahlia ‘Cafe au Lait‘ - one of my personal favourites. An unusual true parchment colour unlike any other.
Now very hard to find.
3 Oriental lily bulbs ‘Salmon Stargazer’ - a tasteful, softer shade…. super hardy, fragrant, and truly beautiful. Perennial. Not crazy tall.
3 Oriental lily bulbs ‘Casa Blanca’ - the best lily ever . Huge, fragrant white…. fabulous as cut flowers. Perennial. Orgasmic perfume.
1 tuber clump of Giant Dahlia ‘Moonlight Sonata’ - A gorgeous salmon shade, a gorgeous shape, a gorgeous plant habit.
All these qualities, and great for cut flowers!
Bel’Occhio Collection #2 includes : @$ 19.99
3 Asiatic lily bulbs ‘Landini’ - it’s hard to believe a lily could be this dark – almost black. No ‘Photoshop’ here…. a shiny, burnished mahogany black ! Super hardy, steel rod stems, perennial. Stunning.
1 Dahlia tuber clump of ‘Karma Choc’ - a very very dark brownish red that appears black. Very different ! I like to mix a few super dark dahlias in with my peachy and orange ones, in the garden and in cut bouquets .
2 Canna tubers ‘Australia’ (not australis) – the darkest, shiniest black foliage of any Canna. Flowers are also very dark – a lipstick red.
Strong, upright growth to about 4′.
1 Dahlia tuber clump of ’ Kenora Macabre’ – a WOW flower ! Super dark red, a full , formal-but-shaggy cactus type I love !
This variety stops people in their tracks at dahlia shows !