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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.

Friday, June 1, 2018

Willow Tree Gardens and Interiors

I always visit Willow Tree Gardens and Interiors' Christmas open house when the entire space is transformed into a wonderland of decorations.  Not far from home, this is a fun nursery to find both garden standards and unusual plants alike.  I'm drawn to the interior part of the business because it's in an old house and walking through feels more like visiting the home of a crazy collector (nirvana for me) than shopping in a retail space.

The truck garden is planted up for another season .


If grown in a pot, Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' is perfectly well-behaved.   I love those colorful leaves!

It's that fabulously busy season when new  deliveries arrive frequently and shoppers can browse even before the newbies make it to the sales tables. 



Okay Gardenias, you're not fooling anyone with that sign.  We know who you are!

Betula 'Trost's Dwarf' 

Hosta 'Electrocution' 

Hosta 'Restless Sea'

Pennisetum setaceum rubrum is a common sight this time of year but there's something fabulous  about pink foliage.

Senecio candicans 'Angel Wings.'  I've seen this same photo tag calling this plant a temperennial. Annie's says it's hardy to zone 8 or 20 degrees as long as it's not too wet.  Mine made it through the winter in it's four-inch plastic nursery pot on the back steps without suffering any winter damage and has put on some nice growth already this year.  Perhaps I should find a place for it in the ground.

Colorful perennials making a splash.


From Little Prince of Oregon (Prince of Paradise, Tender perennials with a tropical flair)  comes this striking Begonia rex 'Royal Crown'


And Begonia rhizomatous 'Oregon Midnight' which appears much darker in person than it does in this picture.

Petunia 'Night Sky'  tugged at my heart last year when it first came out and so a couple came home with me. 

P. 'Johnny Flame' is pretty sweet too. 

Aren't they cute?



So many fun things to find inside the old house. 

I really dig the more is good decorating vibe.








It's considered poor form to simply take something that one admires in another's home but here  that sort of thing is encouraged.  There's the little matter of exchanging payment for items before leaving with them but still it's swell. 

It's the first day of June and Friday.  Hooray!  Only three more weeks of school.  Come on into the dining room and let's celebrate.

13 comments:

  1. I guffawed over your comment about the Gardenias beside the sign for grasses, and nearly sprayed my breakfast on my computer screen, but thanks for the laugh. Those Little Prince Begonias are gorgeous, I wonder where they were hiding when I went to their Open House earlier this spring? Restless Sea is such a great name for a Hosta with those twisty leaves. Hope you have a great weekend!

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  2. "Annie's says it's hardy to zone 8 or 20 degrees as long as it's not too wet." Annie needs to check her Zones. I'd say 20 is Zone 9, or the very upper, warmest, edge of Zone 8.

    OMG, Begonia 'Oregon Midnight' where have you been all my life!?!

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  3. Love that red Petunia; I suppose because it does not look like a Petunia! There is nothing nicer than shopping for home decor items in a house. The scale makes it so much easier to think about how or if it will work in your house. And so many ideas looking at how the masters combine objects. All that and plants as well: heavenly.

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  4. I'd be tempted to try Hosta 'Electrocution' based on its name alone if I found it but most garden centers down this way aren't foolish enough to sell hostas. But I DO need to find Petunia 'Night Sky' even though I've never grown petunias.

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  5. Houttuynia cordata gives me conniptions. The worst plant ever as it is impossible to get rid of - I think nurseries should warn people to only plant it in pots, per your suggestion.
    Those Rex Begonias are stunning!!

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  6. I once bought Houttuynia cordata but then got rid of it when it became too happy. I should try it in a pot. I love the color display and the pungent scent of the leafs.
    So much cool stuff, I wish I had won a shopping spree to this place.

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    1. I would like to know how you got rid of Houttuynia cordata. I have been trying for years to get rid of it.

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  7. This place would keep me broke if it was close to where I live. I saw that polka dotted petunia this year for the first time. I thought it was interesting, a real eye catcher.

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  8. Houttuynia cordata is running loose in several places in our garden, but so far I like it where it is.
    Those two hostas are very interesting. I especially like 'Restless Sea'

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  9. That is a very English way of displaying and retailing decor items and I love it too. I could browse those places for hours.

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  10. Couldn't agree more with the "more is better" vibe:)
    The variety of plants stagger me. With my budget and limited energy, I stick with the basics here, but that doesn't keep me from being impressed with the beauty available and plentiful in places like this!

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  11. It's a really wonderland, Peter. I love such decorated rooms. The plants are gorgeous and my favorite is Begonia rex 'Royal Crown'.
    Have a nice new week!

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