Festive Furney's Nursery

Furney's is a long-established large nursery in Des Moines, WA.  For more info, peruse their website here and see previous posts here.   Outside the entrance.  Notes to self:  Obtain a red tractor for ornamental use.  Find a place to store it for nine months of the year. Find a new home that would have space for this in the front yard.  Never mind, I'll just enjoy this one! 

A holiday symphony for the eyes just inside the entrance.  While Furney's decorates to the hilt for the season, their merchandise focus is on plants and garden related paraphernalia.

There are a few exceptions like this topiary rocking horse.  In the right setting this could be fabulous.

Red twig dogwood, ferns, and white Cyclamen persicum create an elegant combination planting.

The square wreaths are simple, interesting, and look like something that one could have fun creating.  On the other hand, if you don't have time for that, they're on sale for 50% off.

This would be a great project for kids as well.  Nature walk, stroll along the beach, memories from summer vacation, a hand full of those rocks that seem to show up in our pockets; it all works. A little wire, a hot glue gun, maybe a nail or two and voila...  Of course raising a child to about 6 or 7 when they'd start being interested in participating in this is fairly expensive, especially the down payment at the hospital, so you might be better off buying one or making it alone.

Thinking this would be a cool gift for my kids to make and give to their parents next year!

In the unheated greenhouse are all sorts of great plants for winter interest.  There were many more outside but the rain decided to pour down while we were there so we stayed under cover.

Winged Victory of Samothrace (AKA Nike of Samothrace)  seems to have lost her head and arms.  

This greek dude seems to have misplaced his body.  Those ancients should be more careful about where they leave things.

Common as dirt here, sold in every supermarket, and included in a lot of public plantings,  Primula vulgaris is sometimes shunned by gardeners.  Yet, any plant that brings winter color and doesn't mind being shaded by other plants in the summer has my vote.  The doubles are a particular favorite of mine as the plants seem to get larger each year and require less dividing.

In the dark depths of winter, a flower whose colors whisper summer sunsets and long lazy days can't be all bad!

Dig these cool cats.

Someone who's always ready to play.

In the area where annuals will soon be displaying a riot of color are trees for sale.  It's only a few days before Christmas and they're on sale and need a home.  I feel sorry for them in a way, never to be decorated and have their moment of glory before being recycled.  Maybe I've read Hans Christian Anderson's The Fir Tree too many times.

If you prefer a living tree, there's always the traditional potted Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii.' It's pretty hard to hang ornaments from these leaves.  I wonder if it comes in a flocked version?

Kissing balls with mistletoe at the bottom are another fun project.

I've admired this lady (ones like her that were darker in color)  and like this one.  She may come home with me when I visit next.

Be vewy, vewy quiet, we're hunting wabbits!    

And of course, my girlfriend, Monrovia who always looks festive.  I might have strategically placed a sprig or two of holly and maybe covered her boa and bosom fringe with cedar garland for the season.

This one I'm going to make!   It's beautiful alone but adding tillandsias is also fun.  

As we leave, Mr. Frog reminds us to use an umbrella.  Silly froggy, Pacific Northwesterners don't use umbrellas unless the rain is bouncing off of the pavement.  Thanks for thinking of us. 

We spent the shortest day celebrating the light and life still visible in our garden.  We've made it to the solstice and can look forward to the days getting longer once more.  Here's to a mild winter and early spring!