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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, May 22, 2015

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! 

28 comments:

  1. Irises are wonderful, but what about the rest of the year when they're not in bloom? I love the strappy foliage, but an entire bed of nothing but iris might not be that satisfying. I'd consider mixing in some other plants for textural contrast at least.

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    1. Right you are Alan! I always cram way too many things together and iris don't much care for competition. I'm thinking daylilies and maybe a few dahlias. If I start thinking iris bed now, it'll keep me from crowing in too many other plants, a few shrubs, a running bamboo or two. and a giant sequoia.

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  2. Very pretty series!
    Please come by http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/05/textures.html and link up for this week's Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday). Hope you'll drop by each week!! I’d also like to invite you to join the image-in-ing Google+ community at https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/115376002444876274893.

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  3. 'Maters and Fries may work in your cooler summer but it's potato harvest time here -- potatoes were planted in weather too cold for tomatoes and die off in the heat that tomatoes love..

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    1. Who'd have thunk it? So interesting to learn about how you garden in a climate with such hot summers!

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  4. Major lust over the Ginkgo leaf vase! Wish garden centres are open extended hours here too during the summer months. Even Sunday opening hours here are quite annoying, only six hours and it's not even that religious of a country!

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    1. Isn't that beautiful! The longer hours sometimes only amount to adding an extra hour. One of my favorite nurseries used to be open from 10:00 until dusk so in the summer we could shop late!

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  5. Every time I see another Itoh peony, I feel my resolve not to buy another (at least until the one I have decides to bloom again) slipping away...

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    1. They are beauties but if they won't bloom for you, why bother? Moving here would solve that problem for you.

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  6. My digiplexis is done for as well and will not be replaced; like you, I'll stick with the reliable self seeding (and free) foxglove. Love the raise beds kits for veggies (I'll try and get someone to build one for me). I'm a fan of beard iris, although they require thinning every once in a while, and as Alan pointed out, they look best mixed in with other plants. Peter, don't order any off the catalog quite yet; you may come across free iris this weekend...

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    1. Every catalog that comes makes me think I should plant whatever they're featuring. Iris are beautiful but they need space of their own Perhaps I'll grow them in large pots and plunk them in the middle of the vinca which will cover the pots. Is there a plant that you have been looking for or would like to have chavliness?

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    2. I know what you mean about the catalogs: everything feels like a "must have". If not for the price attached, where would we be.

      I'd love to have me a giant sequoia, if you have one to spare...
      I'm only kidding of course. I'm quite content with my lot.

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  7. We stopped at two nurseries this morning on our way home from breakfast. Such an addiction!

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    1. See how you are? As addictions go, this is a pretty good one!

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  8. your days are getting longer, ours are getting shorter ... I love that path with the hydrangeas each side ... but I must say I wouldn't want to buy tomatoes called Ketchup'n'Fries!

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    1. Sorry that autumn is upon you; it's such a bittersweet time in the garden. Spring will come again!

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  9. Dear Mr. TOG
    It is such a saving grace for my husband's wallet ? that we do not have these amazing nurseries here (although I can dream right?) .. even their flamingos look classy ? haha
    I have never heard of the grafter potato/tomato plant ! I am flabbergasted !! .. good thing I don't do veggies (no room at the inn). Loved that ginkgo vase too ... BIG sigh !
    I would be wandering around there for ages .. the staff would have to wheel me outside their gates ... well we had frost last night ... not bad enough for my micro-climate back garden but I imagine there are a few weepy gardeners today ... poor things .. weather here is kicking our collective butts ! another BIG sigh !
    Joy : )

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    1. Frost at this time of the year would be devastating to a garden as far along as yours! So glad that you didn't get hit but sorry for those who did. It is difficult to have any control when visiting all these great places. Whoever made that ginkgo vase also made my sansevieria vase that I found at another nursery last year and some other interesting leaf vessels that I've been seeing around. They are unmarked but the ware and glaze is so distinctive that it has to be the same company. Wish I knew the name so I could look for other pieces as well.

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  10. That sea urchin vase has my name on it. Good enough reason to do some Garden Shop hopping of my own.

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    1. I thought of you when I saw that vase and wondered why. Must have just clicked with some of your in a vase on Monday posts. Yes, shop away!

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  11. That is a great nursery. That Ginko vase !

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    1. It's a great place for sure! I may have to go back to see if the Ginkgo vase is still there.

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  12. At $30, the tomato/potato graft will need to produce massive crops to deliver any ROI! But it is enough for the novelty value I guess :-) Those irises and fuchsias are just delightful!

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    1. I think it is more of a novelty thing to have one of those. It would be even more interesting to graft one yourself.

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  13. I really should comment on the beautiful plant photos but my time is taking up with wiping drool from my keybo8ard.

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    1. I wear a bib, especially when looking at photographs of daffodils in a certain Georgia garden that bloom a month before ours or brugmansias that spring back from their roots and bloom in May!

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  14. What a lovely plant nursery…I especially loved the frilly iris.

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