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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, March 1, 2018

Visiting Nurseries in the Snow

How better to spend an afternoon just before the lowest temperatures of the winter were predicted to arrive than to visit a couple of nurseries?  A wiser gardener might have rushed home to throw the fuchsias that were already leafing out into the greenhouse to protect them from the impending freeze.  I don't think they've survived. Oh well, I've far too many plants anyway.  Besides, Vassey and Watson's are on my way home from my Sunday job and I wanted to see what the pros were doing to protect their plants. 


Fortunately, these flowers need no protection. 

Even winter hardy plants have been dragged under cover.  While mine, left outside, all perked up, they really looked unhappy during the cold.


Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty' would have gotten nipped since they're already this far above the soil.  Mine seem to be fine but they're still just tight buds close to the soil line.

Sycopsis sinensis

The pink winter coloration of Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety' is quite lovely.


A battle of the choirs?


I didn't do a lot of outdoor exploration for some reason.  
Leaving Vassey and approaching Watson's, the snow let up a little bit but was replaced by hail while I was inside one of Watson's big greenhouses and the sound of the hailstones hitting the roof was really cool.

I know that the amazing red foliage color of Helleborus 'Reanna's Ruby' won't last as the season progresses but it's nice enough that this one had to come home with me along with a couple of other hellebores ('Onyx Odyssey,' 'Red Sapphire.')


Look at how healthy the Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' looks in these combination pots!

Pussy willow bird nest.


Getting ready for spring!


There are sometimes delightful surprises in the succulent section like these Aloe striata.  Since I had some reward dollars left, this really needed to jump into my cart.

Cacti and succulents seem to continue growing in popularity in both gardens and in decor.  I'm cacti/succulent-themed stuff everywhere these days.

Ooh, the deep red foliage of this Algaonema is gorgeous!

The hail storm lasted less than a minute but it dropped quite a bit in that brief time. 

It's always a good time to visit a nursery.  

14 comments:

  1. Leave it to you! I dunno, I'm such a cold wimp these days I think I would have stayed in my warm car and motored home to my warm house.

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  2. You are a very dedicated gardener! There is something to be said for Snow Day nursery hopping: I bet you didn't have to elbow your way to through the crowds or wait in line at the register. The hail storm in north Seattle lasted about 20 minutes, the longest I've ever seen. I love those metal wire flowers.

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  3. How funny we both did posts about visits to Watson's today! I bought an Aloe striata too. That 'Reanna's Ruby' leaf is fab, good choice!

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  4. Ever the intrepid plant explorer. I stayed inside as much as possible. I don't think any of my plants were permanently damaged by that little cold snap, though there are a few frosted flowers and early shoots.

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  5. It looks really cold even in your photos...Someone needs to tell the arctic blast to go home! (You're closer to the source so I'll leave that to you but we'd appreciate a little more warmth too.)

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  6. Snow! I'm burning with jealousy!

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  7. It is always good to visit all of the wonderful nurseries that you visit through your blog. Thanks for sharing.

    Visiting nurseries in snow and hail would be quite the experience.

    Have a great Friday and weekend ~ FlowerLady

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  8. Well, we seem to have a theme going - Watson's and Vassey's! I deliberately didn't take my camera, but then as we were about to leave Watson's after lunch in the cafe, I thought, "What will I blog about with no photos?", so I pulled out my old iPhone and snapped a few. It was fun just to look around.

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  9. So many goodies - I bet you practically had the place to yourself. I think those combo baskets with bird nests are so adorable!

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  10. I quite agree that anytime is a good time to visit a nursery. Good of you to help the spring economy with a purchase or two. I would like succulent/cactus accessories since I can't grow many varieties here. Love those little primroses this time of year. They are not shy with their colors. I hope you don't have too much damage in the garden.

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  11. I haven't made my first trip to a nursery yet this year. This whetted my appetite.

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  12. It's beginning to look a lot like Easter.

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  13. I always love visiting nurseries :)

    we have few near us but this one is stunning
    wonderful snow falling shots and delightful flowers!

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