I was walking through the nursery parking lot the other morning. I noticed one of our large old crape myrtles hade turned silver. One of the problems with crape myrtle is the problem of getting powdery mildew. This turns the foliage silver grey. It can get so bad it will defoliate the tree.

Many years ago when the parking lot was developed we moved some old crape myrtle to the edge of the parking lot. As near as I can tell they were planted sometime in the 1920’s. They are impressive trees with large trunks and knarled branching.

However of all the crape myrtle we have in the parking lot they are the only two with powdery mildew. All of the newer plants are almost perfectly clean. They are all hybrid varieties that have come out of USDA breeding with one of the goals being mildew resistance

In the lot we have Tuscarora, a coral red; Tuskegee, a watermelon red; Natchez, white; Muskogee a light lavender pink. These are all large growing varieties to about 20’ unpruned. In addition we have Acoma another white growing to about 12’ and spreading; Pecos a medium pink growing to 12’ and Zuni growing to 12’.

All the crape myrtles we carry are chosen for mildew resistance. So if you are interested in adding crape myrtle to your garden come in and check out the mildew resistant varieties we carry.

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It is interesting why people have so much trouble with gardenias. Here in the Central Valley they perform at their best. People plant them in too much shade and they over water them. Contrary to most people’s belief, gardenias enjoy the heat. In fact they sulk in cool climates. In addition to that they enjoy sun. Because gardenias like the same soil conditions as azaleas and camellias people think they like shade. In fact they need at least some sun and in most cases they do well in full sun. Gardenias do not like to be kept wet. In fact it is important that they dry out at least partially before watering ag ain.

For the best results plant gardenias in at least half day sun in areas with good drainage. They enjoy a rich organic soil so we recommend a full 2 cu ft bag of eureka Planting mix per gardenia. In addition to proper planting they do well with azalea camellia fertilizer supplemented with Iron Plus.

We carry the large flowered Mystery that grows to about 5’ tall and wide\. August Beauty is a more compact plant to about 4’ with lots of slightly smaller flowers. Veitchi is more compact with again smaller flowers but in great profusion.

In addition to these regular varieties we carry white star gardenia with a single star shaped flower on a very compact plant to about 12” +. We also carry tow ground cover growing forms one with green foliage and one with white and green variegated foliage.

Planted in the correct spot they can perfume your entire garden during the summer.

Because of the tropica craze, because of the inte3rest in color and because of the interest in unusual looking plants New Zealand Flax is becoming more and more popula. There are aq tremendous variety becoming available4.

We just added a collection of three variegated flax mfrom Hines Nurseries. The all have foliage striped in bronze, red, pink and gold tones. the colorings are truly diferent than anything you have seen . Great as containers or in the ground as a tropical accent.

Pink Panther is a smaller variety that grows to about 2' tall. the foliage is slightl;y relaxed so is not as sword like as the other two.

Rainbows Sunrise is a larger form again with bronze, red and pink stripes. This time on foliage that is more sword like. It grows from 3-6 ft tall.

Rainbow Queen is another new variety very similar to Rainbow Sunrise. It has slight diferences in the coloring of the foliage.

They prefer sun and good drainage. They all will make great container plants.

We also havbe a good selection of other varieties. From the tiny Jack Spratt to the very large Pink Stripe.

Over rhe last few years Hydrangeas have be3come more and more popular.
They are one of the few shrubs that providecolor in the shade. Because of that there are lots on new and unususal types showing up.

Hydrangea Endless Summer is the first repeat blooming hydrangea developed. In our area you need to remove the old flowers to get a second bloom.
The color ranges from clear pink to blue with the addition of Hydra-blue. Other than its unique repeat blooming habit it is a typical hydrangea and likes bright shade and being planted in 100% Eureka Planting mix

Sun Goddess is a new Hydrangea with dramatic golden green foliage aging to chartruse This provides some lightn leaf color in the shade and makes a dramatic addition to the shade garden. This another pink mophead style hydrangea.

We have a good stock of both available now.

Climbing Eden and Climbing White Eden

In various posts here I have talked about my liking for single climbing roses like Altissimo and Sally Holmes. A completely type of climbing different rose I like is Eden and the white sport, White Eden. Both are very full flowers to the point they often can’t hold them up completely. Being climbers, that allows you to enjoy them from the ground.
Eden is a light pink with a slightly deeper edge to the petals. White Eden as you might imagine is white, a soft white that is also very attractive Both are good repeat bloomers and make good roses on a fence and as pillar roses.

White Eden is so new that they are exclusively available at Master Nursery members. Regular eden is planted on our wrought iron fence in the front of the nursery for you you to admire. Both are available in stock now.

Cl Eden by star roses

Marigolds have been around forever. However lots of people have a hate - hate relationship with them. They are too blobby, they are too yellow, they are too orange. the flowers on most french or dwarf marigolds are too round and ball like.

Several years ago we had some with a flatter and wider flower. Unfortunatly they disappeared. Last year a new variety called Durango came out. they have the same larger flower with the wider petals. Called in the trade as anemone type as opposed to crested type which is the more common.

They grow a little larger and sweem to be better blooming and show more color. the yellow is a little softer and gold is less orange. I really like them.

Marigolds are also noted for being resistant to the root diseases that affect Vinca and Petunias. All in all the durangos are a valuable addition to our sun summer color palate.

Just a note to everyone that our chinese container of pots was put out for sale Wednesday.

Come in and look over our selection.