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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Another Visit to Flower World.

 
 
After spending a lovely morning at the Fronderosa Frolic and shopping at nurseries and produce stands along the road out of Gold Bar, it's always fun to skip on over to Flower World.   You can read about previous visits to Flower World here.  Also, be sure to check out the F.W. website here.
 
 
A huge wisteria-covered pergola marks one of the many entrances to the retail area.  This is an enormous nursery where they grow all of their stock on site. It's so large that map-filled mail boxes are strewn throughout the 15 acre nursery to help you if you get lost or if you want to find a certain area.


Rose of Sharon with a visitor.

See the mailbox? 

Because they grow their own stock, the place always looks full and interesting even when other nurseries are winding down the summer plant sales season and gearing up for the Holiday sales push.



Cordyline terminalis 'Miss Andrea'

Still coleus a go go.  I wonder if they continue growing these in one of the many greenhouses during the winter or take cuttings for next year?  Is it more economically advantageous to discard them and start from seeds or liners  in the spring?




Rudbeckia 'Cherokee Sunset' is lovely.

There were lots of dahlias covered in bloom.  Such happy flowers!


All of these impatiens make me think of Deanne's gorgeous variegated impatiens plantings this year!



Euphorbia lathyris

A small part of the ground cover house.


An unusual treat (not so unusual at flower world) seeing Asimina triloba or Paw Paw trees for sale.  They grow quite well here, have an interesting almost tropical look about them and produce the fruit made famous in the song "Way Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch."   A native of the eastern half of the U.S. it can be grown in the west as well.  If you've never tasted the fruit, it can be ordered online here. I got some a couple of years ago and enjoyed it.  The fruit has a custard like consistency and tastes a little like a cross between a banana and a pineapple. Delicious. 

In addition the nursery, there are acres of park like plantings to explore. 

I learned that Flower World extends across the road  and includes an area to view quite a few farm animals and also includes the produce stand that sells only locally grown products.  Our lunch of late season strawberries, apricots,  and fresh squeezed cider purchased here was wonderful as were the newly dug purple potatoes that came home for later.

It was lots of fun to see many of these animals wandering freely through the property.

Since you asked, yes we do know that we're  handsome!


Who had the bright idea to wear WOOL in the heat of summer?  I'll be here in the shade if you need me.


Pea fowl.


I've seen white peacocks before but this one was partly colored and partly white. Does anyone know if this is something that sometimes  happens with cross breeding?  It was really an interesting look.

Pygmy goats are so sweet and funny. 


On the way back to the car, this gorgeous hydrangea screamed out "Look at me!"  Who was I to ignore a talking plant?


If you enjoy plants, Flower world is well worth a trip to visit their huge selection of green delights for indoors and out!
Hey look, there's still time to get to Molbaks (and even Wells Medina Nursery if we hadn't just visited a few weeks ago with Alison.) The Fronderosa Frolic takes place around the second weekend of August each year so if you're starting to plan your field trip calendar for next summer, this would be a fun day to add!

21 comments:

  1. I'm planning my autumn trip up to Seattle to visit friends and was trying to figure out what our Saturday adventure would be, maybe Flower World!? Do you think it would still be interesting in late October? Oh and I really really want one of those Cordyline terminalis 'Miss Andrea'...

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    1. Although I've never been there then, I think it will still be pretty amazing as they always have great plants inside the houses(3 retail acres) and outside are a lot of plants that are particularly interesting in whatever season one visits. That cordyline is tropical so it would have to be an indoor outdoor plant:)

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  2. Wow! Flower World looks like a Disneyland for gardeners. That Cordyline is incredible - I've never seen it before.

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    1. Flower world is one of my happiest places on earth! They always have some fabulous indoor plants that one doesn't see very often!

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  3. I've never seen so many ground covers in one place...and yes, so unusual to see a place so well-stocked this time of year. Looks like 'Miss Andrea' is the star of this show.

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    1. Flower World has a nursery-sized greenhouse for just about every sort of plant you can imagine, groundcovers, vines, herbs, etc. Miss Andrea is pretty special!

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  4. Miss Andrea steals the show, great looking plant!

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  5. Pawpaws are great, my seed-grown ones are quite large. But only one sets fruit, the other must not be compatible with its pollen. The fruit tastes incredible. But for some reason it did not set well this year. They do have awesome golden yellow fall color though.

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    1. I have a couple that are about 8 feet tall now and am hoping that someday they'll set fruit. A friend has a couple in his yard that are about 15 years old and they set fruit quite nicely for him. It's good to know that other PNW gardeners are enjoying these trees!

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  6. I have only been to Flower world twice. It is almost overwhelming. It would be fun to visit again.

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    1. I agree, it is almost overwhelming but in a wonderful way!

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  7. Oh my! My weakness for coleus would be put to the test. I want one of those stores by me, pleeeeeeaaasseeee!

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  8. That cordyline is insane!!!!!

    I like the idea of paw paw trees!! We've had them at cedar rim nursery where I've been working and they sell out quick. Maybe people are on to something!

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    1. Well yes but she's seeking therapy.

      One of the cool things about pawpaws is that, like Asian pears, they don't need to be sprayed. Unfortunately, pawpaw fruit doesn't store for long but it can be mashed and frozen for later use. Good to know that they're popular there! Maybe you need a couple.

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  9. Peter, I love to go to nurseries! And always see the wonderful flowers as .Cordyline , is lovely!
    The animals are pretty especially sheep, poor thing, it was hot in its clothes!

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    1. Hooray for visiting nurseries! This one is extra special because of its large size, the fruit stand, and the many animals. Happy autumn, Nadezda! My sister in Alaska said that they had snow yesterday.

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  10. I dream of having a little acreage with goats someday...they are so funny :-D

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    1. A beautiful dream Scott! Maybe some chickens too? (they produce great fertilizer.)

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  11. Fun to visit indeed! Spring really are the best season of all. Flowers are all blooming.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.