More Signs of Spring
It was a cool, sunny day out in the gardens with more evidence of color here and there. Â The hellebores (Helleborus sp.) are opening up nicely as seen with the variety 'Mellow Yellow' above and some...
View ArticleCaladium Collection - 2016
We're excited about our caladium (Caladium sp.) collection this year! Â We hope to display over 50 varieties of this tropical aroid which is native to primarily South America. Â There are various species...
View ArticleAlmost April Showers
Today was a bit on the chilly side with some scattered rain in the afternoon. Â I think we have more rain tomorrow but after the sunshine yesterday, today was still a hint of late winter. Â We will need...
View ArticleRudbeckias
Today had the full spectrum of driving rain to sunshine. Â The weather didn't stop Larry H. and Peg from heading out for garden clean-up and mulching. Â Lloyd was also out there to continue mulching the...
View ArticleStriped Squill (Puschkinia)
While none of these photos of the striped squill (Puschkinia scilloides var. libanotica) were taken this spring, I could have taken similar photos today though as this early bloomer is quite evident...
View ArticleStart Of A Chilly Week
It was a chilly start to the morning with temperatures never reaching 40 degrees F on this overcast day. Â The rest of the week looks wet and chilly too after a 70 degree day yesterday. Â There is plenty...
View ArticleBlog Brevity
Hi All. Â Apologies for not being more consistent this week with my daily blog. Â This time of year is full of challenges and finding the time has been difficult with many hoops and hurdles to navigate....
View ArticleCAST - Day 1
Today I enjoyed travelling to three sites for the California Spring Trials (CAST). Â I'm in Salinas, CA which is centrally located to visit all of the Northern CA sites for CAST. Â There are many other...
View ArticleCAST - Day 2
Today was rainy all day but it was no problem as the trials are all indoors right now. Â With temperatures in April in the 60 degrees F during the day, creating these displays inside with...
View ArticleCAST - Day 3
Today was another eventful one at the California Spring Trials (CAST). Â I hit three more sites with many featuring more than one grower/company. Â The weather was partly sunny and 70 degrees F and just...
View ArticleCAST - Day 4
I'm happy to be heading home tomorrow (flying out of San Jose) with a return to work on Thursday. Â This morning I toured a couple more sites of the California Spring Trials and took some additional...
View ArticleFun Fifteen
I'm back to work today after my trip to the California Spring Trials (CAST) and barely got out of the office with all the piles and phone calls that needed attention. Â We had a productive group of...
View ArticleFantastic Friday
The weather was spectacular today with sunny skies and a high temperature around 73 degrees F. Â While the morning was a bit chilly, it warmed up nicely and it looks like the next week or so will be...
View ArticleAn April "Scorcher"
It was a hot day for April with temperatures reaching close to 83 degrees F. Â It was warm out there although it looks like the remainder of the week will be more characteristic of April. Â There are...
View ArticleDark & Damp
Today was certainly cooler than yesterday and included overcast skies and some decent drizzle from time to time. Â Things are greening up nicely out there including the notorious garlic mustard...
View ArticleRain Averted - Productivity Engaged
We all came in expecting a rainy day with inside projects (of which there are many) but were rewarded with a nice, cool day with some sun and clouds. Â The gardens are literally springing to life with...
View ArticleAnother Nice Day
It appears that we'll have rain later tonight and were rewarded with another partly sunny day! Â The Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) above were very happy with the day and responded accordingly...
View ArticlePrincely Plants - In Memory of the Man
Based on an idea from my pal Mike Maddox to do an "all purple" blog in memory of Prince, I have done just that. Â Incidentally, these are all plants I also viewed last week at the California Spring...
View ArticleSpring Settles In With More Heat
We had a bit of rain this morning but otherwise it was mostly sunny and quite warm. Â Plants continue to emerge and bloom (including weeds!) and we see more color each day. Â The framework of the "Giant...
View ArticleCool & Colorful
The yellow magnolias like 'Elizabeth' (Magnolia hybrida) seen above are starting to bloom now and their "duration of interest" will be extended with the recently cooler weather. Â Some evening...
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