Re: salvia searching/hummers and FROST

david feix wrote:
Loretta,
I know that you requested online sources, but if both
you and your friend are located here in the Bay Area,
there is a wealth of local sources to choose from.  If
you have a good local nursery you patronize, they
should be able to special order plants for you.  Smith
and Hawken and Sloat Garden Centers both have outlets
in Marin, with good selections of Salvias.

 

HI David,
Thanks again for your helpful suggestions. I've just ordered a bunch of salvias, in fact, everything on my list, from Canyon Creek Nursery in Oroville. And some agastaches.  I'm familiar with Sloat, and have stopped going there pretty much because of the poor knowledge level of the staff. And too much attitude. I mean, if they knew more than me, maybe a little attitude, but not when they're clearly not even in MY league. haha. They have what we would call a "knowledge deficit" in medical terms. ;-)
Smith and Hawken is wonderful, and my friend has gone there already, and got his plants. So we are doing ok here now. I love the online nursery shopping because of the range of choices. My local nursery is Fairfax Garden Nursery, adjoined with Ace Hardware.  They're not terribly knowledgeable either, but nice, and they have an unusual variety of perennials for such a small place. It's walking distance from my home. But I find when I go to a nursery, as opposed to online shopping,  I always spend way, way more than I intended.  It is impossible to just pick up one or two things. But you are so, so right about Western Hills; I've not been there for years and it's time to make a trip. Soon. Right now there is so much to do in the garden, so much clean up and planting, and moving stuff, and splitting the perennials. I wonder if anyone here has done business with an outfit called "Dirt Cheap Organics", in San Rafael. Check out the web site, it's amazing. URL: <http://www.neteze.com/dB//>

BTW, we had our 1st frost last night, and is expected to go even lower tonight. (It's supposed to be mid 20's). I've brought inside my Cyms, and a coleus.
What should I do about my Meyer Lemon? Alstromeria? Will my Datura die if left out, or just die back? I can't remember what I did last year. It seems like I had the Meyer in the house a lot, and it screwed up the blooming cycle.

Also, I meant to comment, I do have a large (6 ft by 6 ft) Pineapple sage. It always blooms late, October or so, full bloom right now, and I thought it was late because of the shade and that it was not in the right location, and I'd probably move it this fall. Now it turns out, from what I've read, that it's doing exactly what it's supposed to, and that it is in fact quite shade tolerant. Who'd have thought? It's under an Oak Tree for heaven's sake. Under the dripline. Does need water in the summer, thought not much now.  What a wonderful plant. I've ordered another, more compact version, for a container that I can bring closer to the house for hummer observation.
Sorry to ramble on. This, the garden, is the only thing between me and the TV right now. I feel trapped, if you know what I mean...

thanks everyone, for all the stories, tips, advise, this is the best list ever.

loretta in fairfax
 

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