Visiting Valley Nursery

Last weekend we went on a little nursery hop on the Kitsap Peninsula.  It's a beautiful drive but we only had time to visit three nurseries this time as we lingered and enjoyed something special at each of them.  First up was Valley Nursery in Poulsbo.  This is a full service, large nursery with lots to see and buy.  There are always some imaginative and interesting planted up containers for sale.  What fun hostess gifts these would make, they're less expensive than a bottle of wine, and last longer than cut flowers.  Fun!

 

One surprise was that talented photographer, knowledgeable plant person, author of Rainy Side Gardeners, funny lady, and friend Debbie Teashon, is now working at Valley.  This was only a surprise because someone doesn't keep up with facebook the way he should. 

 

Grevillea 'Ned Kelley' was tempting as I love it but killed mine this winter by bringing it inside when it got cold (good) and then forgetting to water it until it was mostly brown (bad.)  I'll have to love you from afar Ned, as I'm clearly too neglectful a plant parent to deserve you.

Some of the staff were taking turns having their picture taken standing on the bench on the right and peering into this dracaena.

 

They showed me that the excitement was this - it was about to bloom!  For some of you, this may be a regular occurrence but in these parts, it's unusual. 

 

 

Another fun event was Dan Hinkley's talk about his favorite plants for this climate.  Being a Monrovia-sponsored event, he spoke mostly about many of the "Dan Hinkley, Plant Explorer Collection" released by Monrovia but also threw in plugs for some of his other faves.  The nursery was very well stocked with the Monrovia offerings and it was interesting to watch the attendees of the talk march out and stock up on the plants about which Mr. Hinkley so entertainingly spoke.

 

Disporum longistylum 'Green Giant' has white flowers followed by blue/black berries but the emerging foliage is very decorative by itself!

To see more of the Hinkley Collection, go here.

 

Remember the pictures of Magnolia 'Blushing Belle' from our Vassey visit?  Here's one at Valley that's just past her prime.  The watermelon pink color is still lovely.  Here are some images of the thing in full bloom.

One of my Yucca Gloriosas did this beautiful color shift this year; others in the same bed did not, nor did any of my Y. 'Bright Star' that have in the past.  Many nurseries have Y. 'Bright Star' in the same size and color intensity this spring.  All from one big grower?  Anybody know the secret of the beautiful pink color shift?  I've heard that it has to do with cold temps and light exposure.

This bromeliad really wanted to come home and join the collection in my music room but (O.K. they're all plant rooms now but have been given names to differentiate which plant room is which.)  Maybe this should be the bromeliad room with the instruments in it.

Xerosicyos danguyi looks like one of those plants that would be happy baking in a sunny window and growing over the years to take over a room.

Here kitty.  We'll name this one envy.

(Because it's green.)

Warning!  Broken pots should be repaired, half buried in the ground or discarded immediately  or dwarves, elves, leprechauns, lighthouse building fairies or other garden pests may take up residence and you'll have to decide on a method for dealing with them.

Won't this look great when it's completely rusted?

Repurposing of garden tools?  Looks like they may have been made just for this but there are some interesting ideas for do it yourselfers who have broken tools.  Who says that gardeners don't have hang ups?

 

Visit Valley's site here, see previous posts about them here and have a happy new week wherever you are!