Nursery Jaunt, Times Three!

With nurseries having their fall sales, last week I decided it was high time for a visit to Dancing Oaks Nursery. Given that it is at most a half hour drive, I don't know why I don't go more often. So I made up for lost time. After my first visit I went again a few days later with my friend Heather from Eugene. I took more photos on the first visit because the weather was better that day. 

If you've been to Dancing Oaks you know that the final stretch is a two-mile gravel drive across a field, up and over a ridge, down into a valley and a sharp left to the gate. Along the way, I stopped to take photos of these vultures guarding the fields. Such fascinating and creepy birds.

After scrolling through the website, I had a list of plants I wanted to purchase. But I also wanted to   take a quick stroll through the gardens. I didn't get nearly enough photos.

My camera doesn't do these wispy blue flowers justice. They were kind of magical.

A pretty hardy fuchsia

After several fails, I've decided I need to try one more time to grow Plume Poppy. Here are photos of the large and glorious stand in the garden.

Macleaya cordata or Plume Poppy

I admit I went a little overboard with photos. I just love these uniquely shaped gray-blue leaves. 

I should also find a spot for Four O'Clocks again. I love these cheery flowers.

Mirabalis jalapa or Four O'clocks with lighter colored Gaura

I bought one of the 4 inch pots of Bergenia ciliata. Check out the mature specimen! We're talking big leaves here.

At home, here is my loot. 

Clockwise starting at 12, Clethra barbinervis 'Takeda Nishiki', Plume Poppy (dormant),  Sisyrinchium striatum (Yellow-Eyed Grass), Pernettya mucronata, Cyclamen coum, Bergenia ciliata, Blechnum penna marina, and Elsholtzia stauntonii (Chinese Mint Shrub).

After Dancing Oaks, Heather and I decided to drive the short distance to Dallas to see what Daryll's Nursery had in stock. It had been a few years since I'd been there. I was pleasantly surprised with how fun it was, despite the stupid rain.

I love all of Daryll's rusty goodies.

So many cool plants in rusty or galvanized containers, just my style.

Probably the nicest clump of Ajuga I've ever seen.

I was completely smitten with this bright red Agastache and had to have it.

What is growing in that mailbox?

Wire vine and maybe a hardy Geranium?

Whenever I try to grow Schizostylis it flops. It looks really nice here.

Nice rocks too!

If you're looking for a tree or large shrub, Daryll's prices are really hard to beat.

So, here is what I bought on my second trip to Dancing Oaks and to Daryll's Nursery.

Clockwise from 12, the aforementioned red Agastache 'Kudos Red' (I bought two. At $4 each, Eryngium 'Miss Willmott's Ghost, Clerodendrum 'Carnival', Soldanella sp. and Eupatorium 'Pink Frost'

 And a few more:

From left to right: Penstemon 'Ruby', Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues' (Little Blue Stem) and Clematis 'Little Mermaid' Daryll's prices, $5, $7 and $5 respectively!

 One last nursery, Garland Nursery on a recent visit. I was inspired by these container plantings:

Yes. That's a bonsai wisteria!

Finally in the shade house, one, just one. But it was a beauty. At $45, I didn't buy it but it was tempting. 

Rhododendron 'Sinogrande'

Rhododendron 'Sinogrande'

I didn't see the Dancing Oaks' felines. They were probably hiding from the rain. But I got a quick glimpse of Fanta at Garland. Not a very good photo though. Her ears are normal. 

Fanta, the garden cat.

Next time, I'll be back to garden photos. I've been working on a muddy case of musical plants and having a blast. No frost yet so there are still a lot of flowers.

Don't Blink!

April, already! This is the time of year when you dare not blink or you'll miss something. Plants are waking up, stretching and smelling the coffee in the form of warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours. It is my favorite time of the year with everything still fresh and new and alive with promise. Except for my 'Chandler' blueberry plant which looks scary-sad. But we won't discuss that today. Instead we'll, enjoy the positive. 

Taking advantage of the "free shipping" in February, I purchased several plants from Annie's Annuals. Included in the lot was Eccremocarpus scaber 'Pink Lemonade'. Look! It has already started blooming! 

Eccremocarpus scaber 'Pink Lemonade'

It's still in a pot because I was worried about a late frost. With the predicted 85 degrees (F) predicted for Thursday, I'm thinking we might be finished with any cold threats for the season. So, where to plant it...

Boxed tulip bulbs from Winco (grocery store) last fall are vibrant and lovely and fabulous! 

This tulip has been in the garden for several years,
despite my consistently errant trowel.

One of my favorite shrubs, Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold Red' has been in my garden since 2001. It never fails to wow me with its fragrant, spring flowers. 

Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold Red'

Every year I have a little contest to see which of my rose bushes will bloom first. This year, the award goes to this little thing--Rosa chinensis 'Angel Wings'. I grew it from seed last year. It was surprisingly easy. 

Rosa chinensis 'Angel Wings'

The 'Angel Wings' rose bush, about 2 1/2 feet wide and tall.

Last year I purchased two of these cute, white-flowered Primulas for a shady border. They are performing really well. 

Primula sieboldii 'Late Snow'

My only surviving Loropetalum is blooming right on cue. I'm not sure which species it is. But it doesn't really matter because it's perty. 

Loropetalum sp.

I've also finally figured out how to grow all the new Daphnes being introduced to willing gardeners--leave them the **** alone!  No transplanting, no over-primping... just plant it and sit back.

Daphne x rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Stacht' 

Only one new Clematis vine (so far this year). Typically I go for summer-blooming varieties, but this cute spring-bloomer had me at first sight.

Clematis alpina 'Constance'

I LOVE the genus Dianthus. Here is the first bloom of the year. I'm not sure which variety because I have so many. 

Dianthus sp.

Visiting my sister in Woodburn last month, I purchased this cute Viola at Al's Garden Center. It's super fragrant. Although it's a hybrid, I hope it will reseed and come true. 

Viola x  'Hip Hop'

Speaking of fragrance, oh goodie! It's almost time to perfume the room with Lily of the Valley blossoms. 

My containerized Lily of the Valley plants... Convallaria majalis

I'm loving the foliage on my 'Lemon Wave' Hydrangea.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lemon Wave'

But, my favorite Hydrangea foliage is on Hydrangea 'O Amacha Nishiki'.

Hydrangea serrata 'O Amacha Nishiki'

I know Plume Poppy is a spreader but I love it anyway...

Macleaya cordata or Plume Poppy

Ultra-compact, Acer palmatum 'Ben Hime'

Persicaria runcinata 'Purple Fantasy'

I love the fuzzy foliage on this little Salix...

Salix nakamurana var. yezoalpina

I'm seeing 'Spotty Dotty' Podophyllum all over now. It wasn't that long ago when I thought it was "rare." Such a cool plant for the shade garden. 

Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty'

And now, lookie! Flower buds...

Look at all the white leaves on my Fatsia 'Spider's Web'

Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'

Fortunately I'm finally seeing some green on my hardy Banana. I was starting to think it was a gonner. 

Musa veluntia 'Dwarf Orinoco'

And now for some yard shots:

For about the past year or so I've been collecting river rocks. I really like green jasper or other green-hued ones. For now, they're making their new home right here along this border.

The White-Striped bug master.

The neighbor's dog Tucker.

I hope you're enjoying your gardens!