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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.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

So, There Was A Sale At Flower World

Not just any sale but 40% off all indoor plants.  If one is a member of Flower World's e-club (free to join) he receives an additional ten percent off of all purchases even on sale merchandise.  But wait, there's more.  If one spends more than fifty dollars, he gets a free Stromanthe sanguinea 'Triostar' ( two 6" pots or one 8" pot!)  Some would call this an offer, I prefer to think of it as a challenge although, how much of a challenge is it to spend fifty dollars at a nursery?

Stromanthe sanguinea 'Triostar'  is a wonderful compliment to poinsettias for the holidays.

Flower World does not carry baubles, bangles, ornaments, soap, stationery, scarves, handbags, or other gift items (not that there's anything wrong with that.)  What they carry is plants, acres and acres of plants. (Three of those acres are inside so the weather is always perfect!

The heating bill must be outrageous but walking in the tropical houses when it's cold and windy outside is a spirit lifter!

Assorted cacti and succulents. 

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'  is always an eye grabber!

Calethea 'Medallion' - Oh, the purple undersides of those leaves.  These DO NOT like to dry out at all and want to be kept moist. (Don't ask me how I know.) Most of my house plants are either not fussy about water or dead.  Okay, some water lovers live in the greenhouse where they can be watered with a hose and they are alright.

Cordyline terminalis 'Miss Andrea' 

Hopping from the tropics to outside, the berries if Ilex verticillata on bare branches are gorgeous. Unfortunately, the plant is rather dull the rest of the year.  Oh to have enough space to hide a few dozen of these shrubs!




Camellia sanguinea 'Apple Blossom'

Camellia x 'Buttermint' looks like it could melt in your mouth. 



 It's still autumn but already the primroses in my garden and those at Flower World are blooming as they will all winter.




Vibrant blooms of Tibouchina urvilleana.  


Our visit was the weekend before Thanksgiving and the staff was just starting to make wreaths.  


Maybe I'll be inspired by their creations to make my own.  On the other hand, dragging the fake one out of the basement is a lot easier.


How lucky are we to live in a climate where all of this is evergreen?

Musella lasiocarpa in bloom.

Cotinus 'Grace' still holding on to her glorious foliage.   

This picture doesn't show it well but the foliage of Calathea 'Silhouette' also has brilliant purple undersides.  There's an empty jardiniere in the parlor and I promise to keep it watered this time. The foliage pattern is just too seductive.  We'll let it ride in the cart for a while, enjoy it and put it back. The last bit didn't happen.  Oops.

Temperatures are predicted to plunge below freezing next week.  I hate to see autumn go. 

 We'll still have these cheerful Kale/Cabbages to keep us company through the winter!



See you next time, Flower World!
My Haul:   Calathea 'Silhouette', Camellia sanquinea 'Mondel', Heucherella 'Sweet Tea' , and a free Stromanthe sanguinea 'Triostar'

15 comments:

  1. Very nice! I would love one of those callicarpas.

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  2. Flower World is tempting on these short wet dark days, but it is a longish trip. Maybe in the new year.

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  3. Flower World is still high on my list of nurseries to see, even though I find myself culling houseplants lately. I've only grown Calathea lanceolata and found it pretty easy. I lost it to red wigglers (compost worms) getting into the pot, breaking the soil down into mush, and damaging the roots and new shoots. It also suffered from over-watering in North Carolina. I found it quite drought tolerant, only needing water once a week or every other week in winter.

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  4. What a display of riches. I need to get out and see what's happening in my neck of the woods.

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  5. If I lived close enough to visit over the winter months I'd pack a lunch and my laptop and be there for the day. I wonder if they'd mind?

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  6. I really like the use of Phormium (?) as ribbons in the wreath, perfectly mimicking the creamy edges of the holly.

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  7. I don't think I'd have had any problem fulfilling the requirements of FW's special offer either. I'm in love with that Cordyline 'Miss Andrea' and may have to mount a search to find her soon.

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  8. So is this place on the east side of I5 -view-able from there? I feel like I've driven by and never stopped. We just don't have green-housey places like this down here in Norcal.

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  9. You had me at "So, there was a sale at flower world." Wish I could have been there. That Calathea is something special--love the contrasting underside foliage. And the Camellias ... and the wreaths ... Sigh.

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  10. I always enjoy your trips to Flower World more than my actual trips there.

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  11. What a great place to spend some time! I'm envious of all your nurseries.

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  12. I covet the red berries of I. verticillata. My Viburnum trilobum was supposed to fill that niche but no one told the critters that they weren't supposed to eat the fruit until late winter.

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  13. I love these virtual tours, where I can luxuriate in the beauty without acquisitive nature kicking in.

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  14. Peter, you take me to the places that I've never visited! Thank you for the tour. That Cotinus is gorgeous!

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  15. Wow, what a fantastic nursery you are blessed to have in your area. Thank you for sharing all of that beauty here.

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