There is an interesting new plant we added to our inventory this year. Leptospermums have had a long history in the trade. Leptospermum scoparium has had several varieties that are common because of the flowers.

From Monterey Bay Nursery

A completely different Lepto is a new variety called Dark Shadows. This is a larger growing form, up to 15 or 20’ tall and wide. It has masses of single white blooms in the spring but the main identifying feature is the striking foliage. Young plants are green with a burgundy red highlight. Older plants develop a purple cast that is striking. As leptos generally, it prefers spots that have reasonably good drainage and avoid too much water.

from Monterey Bay Nursery

We are carrying #7 size plants that are grown with a single trunk that is already developing the typical shreddy bark. I think this will make an interesting addition to our small tree collection. I have always liked the Interesting Leptospermum Laevagatum but customers were turned off by the hard looking foliage and the gray foliage. This has soft almost needle like foliage with an arching - weeping habit of growth. I think it is beautiful and Donna and I are looking for a spot to put it in our re-landscaping project in our front yard!

I was in my garden last weekend and even though we are having some of the coldest weather of the season you can see spring starting.

My tulip tree is in full bloom. Alexandrina magnolia is my favorite because it is so heavy blooming.

My Japanese maple is starting to stir and I can see the new buds pushing. My new fruit bush hedge has some trees that are starting to bud and even a couple of flowers. I have a banks rose that is showing buds starting. And my Bradford pears are starting to show color.

I had to mow my lawn for the first time in about 6 weeks and I had to water for the first time. I pulled a few weeds and fertilized my pansies. I noticed some growth in just one week.

I do use Kleen-up for weed control and Surflan to keep them from coming back.

As Donna and I contemplate taking out the huge juniper planting we have to be careful not to over plant with early spring blooming plants. We see everything in bloom now and we want to plant it. If we do, what are we going to do for summer color?? That’s why you need to plan what you are going to do and mix the seasons. Talk to one of our staff and get some help choosing plants that provide seasonal interest year round.

In most or at least a lot of the country it is so cold now no one wants to get out in the garden. Here even though it is brisk in the morning it can still be gardening weather.

At home I just fertilized my lawn with Masters Fall and Winter Feed. This is designed to get results in cold (California cold) weather. In addition I sprayed with Kleen-up to kill the weeds that have germinated since fall. If you have been having a weed control problem we recommend a pre-emergent applied now.

In the shrub beds I use surflan a spray on pre-emergent and in lawns we recommend Masters pre-emergent with fertilizer to control crab grass, spurge and other newly sprouting weeds. Weed control is an area where getting ahead of the game is critical for success!

My Magnoliaflora camellia is just starting to break. I am not sure why but the Magnoliaflora camellias in the nursery have been blooming for a couple of weeks. It my very favorite Japanese style camellia. A semi double with a blush pink bloom it is exquisite. This is a plant I gave Martha, my late wife, while we were at Modesto Junior College for a valentine present. I have been able to keep it with me for 5 houses. The last couple of houses I have kept it in a 36" plastic pot and sunk it in the ground. Before that I almost killed it moving. It took about 5 years for it to completely recover the last time I planted it directly in the ground.

Donna and I are still looking at the large juniper planting in front of our house. I am moving closer to taking them out now before we develop our courtyard behind them. My thought now is get the plants in the ground and let them grow before we finish the courtyard. Subject to change at any minute!

Jungle Jim

I was walking the parking lot this morning and noticed our vegetable garden by the front gate. In a small area we planted a collection of winter vegetables together with a few flowers. We are ready to pick celery and cauliflower. There is still some swiss chard to pick and I looks good.

This summer a good combination would be colorful Swiss Chard, curly parsley, some peppers and small fruited egg plant. Mix this with petunias, marigolds or Maybe nemesia and you have a vegetable garden that can be part of the main yard.

You can can have your view and eat it too!

Happy gardening.

Jungle Jim

I was walking around the parking lot and guess what i saw.

Well, if you read the title of the post you probably know. the first daffodil of spring. That means we need to start getting ready. It's time to put pre-emergent down to control weed in the lawn and shrub beds.

We recommend master's pre-emergent with fertilizer for the lawn and surflan spray for the shrub beds.

If your lawn doesn't need the pre-emergent I use Masters Fall and winter lawn fertilizer. This works even in cool weather.

If you haven't done your winter pruning you need to get out this weekend. Fertilize your shrubs and young trees and we still have time to get pansies in the ground for spring color.

the first daffodil is the sign spring is almost here!!!