Watson's in June

Fresh strawberries purchased directly from the grower are one of my favorite June treats.  For those of you (are there any of you?) who have only eaten those huge tough strawberry-like  things offered in supermarkets year round, real, fresh-picked strawberries are an entirely different experience. Think of the difference between a rubbery, flavorless, mid-winter supermarket tomato and one picked from your garden.   Anyway, there are several growers in the valley in which Watson's nursery is located. Since I had to get some berries anyway, might as well visit Watson's as well, right?   Exciting news, on the way from the strawberry place to Watson's, I saw a sign for a new nursery.  Nothing big or fancy, just a start-up with what appeared from the road to be a nice selection of potted roses, and perennials.  They were closed but I hope to check them out on my next strawberry run. It's so exciting to see a new nursery pop up these days.  I'm old enough to remember when Watson's first opened it's much smaller retail area.  I bought my first Fuchsia basket in this state from Watson's in 1984.

Now Watson's operates in a series of  Belgian-built, state of the art steel and glass houses.

See many previous visits here. Watson's is a large full-service nursery with a staff of 50 which explains how things always look so tidy and clean.  There are always several folks around primping the plants, deadheading, etc.

Stachys ‘Bello Grigio’  is everywhere now.  From my experience, it abhors shade and good moist soil, preferring sun, poor soil, and neglect in the hell strip.

Gratuitous plant sex scenes. 

If you're looking for a rusty metal horse, Watson's has you covered!

Aluminum garbage can planters.

Hosta 'Electrocution'  Hmmm. 

Less lethal friends. 

You can prepare for the fourth of July

or your vacation at the beach. 

Upon what kind of alien beach did these shiny beauties wash?  I kind of dig them.

This planter creature is pretty cool, too. 

Want a garden room but lack a green thumb?  All it takes is a little green in your wallet and a bunch of silk and voila -

Can't go wrong with blue and yellow!

There's always color to be had here!  

A quiet moment at the cafe.

I forgot the name of this seriously tempting hydrangea with burgundy foliage and red, yes red, flowers.

So, what made it into the cart?  

A couple more New Guinea impatiens, orange tuberous begonias for a turquoise pot, and Tagetes 'Lemon Gem' which I grow for the awesome fragrance of the foliage.

May your weekend be as bright and cheerful as the colors of these flowers!  Sorticulture takes place in Everett this weekend and I hope to attend for the first time.  By all accounts, it's incredible!  Will I see you there?

Watson's Nursery Tent Sale

Watson's Nursery is a huge full service garden center. The 32,000 square foot glass and steel greenhouse from Belgium which houses houseplants, annuals, tender perennials, an espresso bar/cafe, and a wide selection of giftware is a far cry from the much smaller wood structure where I bought my first Fuchsia after coming to Washington in 1984!

Watson's is always extremely clean.  Squeaky clean.  Your mother-in-law is visiting your home for the first time clean.

I stopped by early in July during their annual tent sale event during which everything in the sale area is marked down by 50 - 70 percent.  In conjunction with this sale, many plants inside the nursery are also marked down.

 These chairs are really cool but at even at 50% off they were noth of $200.00 each. 

 There was this little lovely.  Being plastic, it could reside in a cupboard  when not needed.  How many plants can you say that about? 

 Pots, statuary, and on the left, a huge selection of greeting cards.

 About a third of the inside of the place is devoted to pricey giftware so you can shop for plants, have lunch, find a gift for Aunt Mildred's birthday, and buy a card all in one stop.

This guy seems happy!

Where is Loree?

Euphorbia obesa in bloom

Echiveria have been a favorite of mine for years!  Watson's had quite a nice selection of them at that time.

 These big guys were on sale for 50% off.

 Fleetfoot and Foulweather growers had recently paid a visit and there was a lot of succulent/cactus goodness on the tables!

 Is this the same kind of plant that Ms. Loree just bought?

Sorry, I go so distracted by all the succulents that I forgot to take many pictures of other areas.  Here is part of the perennial area.  this place is quite large and also has a nice selection of trees, shrubs, vines, etc. There's pretty much something for everyone. 

To learn more about Watson's, visit their website!

Wandering Around Watson's

Gardeners who work during the day are grateful as the daylight lengthens and we have time to squeeze in some gardening tasks after work.  Many nurseries have longer hours in the spring and it's possible to shop after work as well.  Who wouldn't be happy about that?   One day after work, I stopped by Watson's. See many previous posts here.  We've been here together frequently you and I.

If memory serves, the grafted tomato potato plant has been around for a long time.  Gurney's Seed and Nursery used to carry them in the 70's.  However, someone's marketing department decided that this was the year to push this plant and give it a fun name, "Ketchup 'n' Fries by Tomtato."  Kind of cute.

However, at this price, one could grow a lot of tomatoes and potatoes separately or make their own grafted plants to maximize limited garden space. See how to do it yourself here. 

Digiplexis 'Illumination Flame' which didn't return in my garden this spring, is now joined by Digiplexis 'Raspberry.'  Pretty for sure but I'm equally fond of Digitalis which is quite reliable!

This year I will rip out the cursed inherited vinca on a sunny slope and replace it with iris! (I just got an Iris catalog in the mail and want them all.)   Here's 'That's All Folks' looking as sunny as Doris Day.

'Edith Wolford' is very popular.

This time of year when nurseries are full to the gills is so much fun!

 Peony 'Bartzlla'  a true yellow herbaceous peony is quite unusual.

When I was doing my student teaching a billion years ago, I bought my first Washington fuchsia basket at Watson's.  They'd opened that spring and the fuchsias were on sale in September.  Coming from an area with a three-month growing season, I was delighted that the plant would bloom for at least that long.  Who could have known then how large and popular the nursery was to become?

This gorgeous hibiscus was tempting but I already have one like it that sailed through the winter in the greenhouse.  

Interesting idea!  You can purchase kits for these raised beds, assemble  and fill them with soil and voila a garden!

Watson's grows most of their own annuals. 

Meanwhile in the "stuff" area.  Isn't the ginkgo leaf vase cool? 

And  the sea urchin vase.

The peach colored foliage of Acer pseudoplatanus 'Esk Sunset' purple leaved beach and sky blue hydrangeas make a very nice combination.

So much more to explore but that'll have to wait for another day!

Happy weekend and happy gardening!