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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.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Are Those Agaves Over There?

I like to buy locally-grown produce at fruit stands and just stopped by Sterino Farms Produce Market in Puyallup to pick up some raspberries, peaches, and some veggies.  Our strawberry season is brief and usually over by mid July.  While there are everbearing varieties, I've been told that they don't bear heavily enough to make them commercially viable.  Imagine my surprise to see these Oregon strawberries so late in the season!  While one can find California-grown strawberries year round, they're giant, tough things bred for shipping stability and size, not for taste.  One last taste of red sweetness was divine!


Sterinos always brings in plants in the spring but over the last few years, they've become much more adventurous in their offerings. 


Look there, hiding beneath the Trachycarpus - Strelitzias. Hmm. 

Sago Palms by the shopping carts.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear...  Aloe 'Blue Elf,'  and maybe Aloe maculata in front.

Are those Agaves?  Yes, Agave guiengola 'Creme Brulee.'  I've never seen them offered in such large sizes in this region and the price was certainly right! (At 30 bucks for a three gallon size, it was the most expensive agave there) It had to come home with me.

Labeled "Tree Aloe"  Aloe bainesii?  I

 Agave tequilana

Agave americana variegata


Agave desmettiana?

Agave 'Blue Glow'




More surprises!


 Senecio anteuphorbium 'Swizzle Sticks' 


 Just when I thought I'd fallen asleep at the wheel and somehow woke up in Southern California,  some more common northwest offerings came into view.


The evergreen hill in the background was a dead giveaway.  

I was thrilled with my strawberries and 'Creme Brulee.' Now what was it that I came here to get?  Even more exciting is the fact that  around the time the pumpkins, gourds, and dried corn stalks start showing up, plants and pots are usually discounted by 50%.  See anything you need?

17 comments:

  1. Fresh strawberries -yum! And you only bought one plant? Such restraint. ;)

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    1. One plant too many! The greenhouse will be really crowded this winter.

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  2. Oh, I do need a couple of new large pots! I'll have to get my butt over there.

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    1. I got several pots there in years past when they did the big fall sale to clear them all out. Don't know if they'll do that every year but it's worth checking as they have some really nice pots at reasonable prices.

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  3. I didn't need anything past the strawberry photo. So good looking I could taste it!
    Lately there seem to be Senecio everywhere. Or was I just not paying attention before?

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    1. Maybe with cacti and succulents being the new fad, they're bringing in more of them. They do seem to be more numerous in nurseries these days.

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  4. Got some late raspberries at our market last week. Have been trying to reduce the number of pots I have, so I will have to stay home.

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    1. You still need to come out to visit Far Reaches and some other fabulous nurseries!

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  5. Keep watch on 'Creme Brulee' - it seems to be a prolific pupper! You're right about California strawberries. They are available year-round but they're only at their scrumptious best for about a month.

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    1. Good to know about 'Creme Brulee.' That means I'll have babies to give away! Probably the strawberries you get locally are better than the ones they ship all over the country. Maybe they're picked before they're ripe and treated with something to turn red enroute.

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  6. You had to find an Agave what with all of those choices. I would love to get some more big pots. They would sort of difficult to stuff under the seat ahead of me.

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  7. Nothing I NEED, but that doesn’t keep me from wanting.

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    1. O, reason not the need! Our basest beggars
      Are in the poorest thing superfluous.
      Allow not nature more than nature needs,
      Man’s life is cheap as beast’s.

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  8. I’m definitely going to have to check this place out.

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  9. I love fresh strawberries too. Gald you found a little something to take home. I really like that "Tree Aloe" and kind of want one of my own. Wonder if I can find one locally.

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