Mystic Spires

One gallon Mystic Spires

When this blog started, we had high expectations for the highway frontage.  We were going to turn it into a dazzling display of color.  There was going to be a regular blog post about 'gardening at 55mph' [hwy 12 speed limit].  We planted LOTS of plants.

The gophers jumped over the gopher baskets.  Water pooled because the clay wouldn't drain.  A cold winter polished off what survived.  Did we swear a lot? Yes.

Salvia Mystic Spires is one plant we have experimented with since then.  The gophers don't eat it.  The deer don't eat it.  It doesn't care about clay.  It doesn't need water after the first year.  It returns after a frost.  It's basically a plastic bouquet of blue flowers.
 
We're planting 40 next week.  In the words of Carl Spackler 'Au revoir, gopher'

New Entrance

At 55 mph plus, the entrance to Wildwood Nursery has always been easy to miss.  The location, next to the Kenwood Inn & Spa, is still the same.  The gate and fence flanking the driveway are brand new.

We thought it made sense to use lumber for an entrance to a place called Wildwood.  The ranch style look is in keeping with the history of the property.  The color is a bit of a departure though.

White would have been glaringly noticeable.  Black would have been more of an Asian influence.  The deep plum [Benajmin Moore Dark Basalt] was Debbie's suggestion.  She works at Wildwood on weekends and thought the plum color would be 'unique and sharp'.

Next challenge: plants!

Mid Summer Planting

Every week people ask us “when’s the best time to plant?” There are various ways to answer that question. We say we plant trees all year and we do.

It was in the low 90’s today in Anguin, CA where we planted this 95 gallon A.p. Fireglow. A 65 gallon A.p. Glowing Embers, 25 gallon Arbutus Marina, and 15 gallon A.p. Otto’s Dissectum went in a different section of the property.  The plants look great and the new owner is thrilled.

Parading Plants

Red, white, blue, and green in the Kenwood Parade

Cottage Garden

Before and after photos of a downtown Sonoma garden.

Decomposed granite and livestock tubs

Espalier camellias provide backdrop for fountain

Can you tell it's fake lawn?

New planters instead of railings alongside old deck

Evergreen Dogwood

Mountain Moons are great compliments to Valley of the Moons.  Where you find one you usually find the other.

So it makes sense that Wildwood Nursery has added Cornus capitata Mountain Moon to its dogwood collection.

Even though capitatas are native to the Himalayas, the flowers more closely resemble American dogwoods; they’re huge.  They bloom in June/July so there’s no mistaking them.

Plus, they have leaves all year, something American dogwoods can’t match!

The Kousas Are Blooming

Just when people think dogwoods are finished blooming, a new wave starts.

The trees native to Asian have slightly smaller, pointier blooms.  More star shaped than their rounded American cousins, the flowers sit above the leaves. 

The sheer mass of flowers more than makes up for their smaller size.  Mostly white with some pale pink varieties, they can bloom into June in some shady spots.

Learn all about them at http://wildwoodmaples.com/dogwood.php