An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

October 4, 2008

A Fine Fall Day

Today was day one of our annual Fall Festival at work, and the weather could not have been more cooperative. Although it was in the 50's this morning and I had to wear a jacket for the first time this season, it warmed into the 70's quickly and there was not a cloud in the humidity free skies. Perhaps because of the weather (and I'd like to think good planning on our part), we were extremely busy, and boy did we need it. I have become concerned over the downturn in traffic at the store over the past month, but I understand why it has been this way. Scary times make people hang on to their money, and I'm sure trying to be careful with mine.

Since it was so clear this morning, and everything was covered with dew - I took a few pictures to share. The first shot is one of the displays D.M. (the hand model from the previous post) put together.
An unknown Japanese Anenome (Anenome x)
Coral Vine (Antigonon leptopus) is an annual for us, but I remember when I lived in Charleston what a weed it was, albeit a pretty one.
These are two of my favorite new plants, Kaleidoscope Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope') and Purple Pixie Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinensis 'Purple Pixie'). I am very impressed with Kaleidoscope, primarily because of its winter colors of orange, red and yellow. If you would like to see more, it has its own website. Purple Pixie is the lowest Loropetalum, getting only 1.5' tall by about 3' wide.
We have yet another new Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea 'Fragrant Angel', and it indeed has a light pleasant aroma. It has the largest flower I have seen on any Coneflower no matter the color. Here is the Ryder Cup of Euonymus with the American contender (Euonymus americanus) growing wild on the edge of the property...
... and the European entry (Euonymus europaeus 'Red Ace').
This is our native Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius).
I love the reflection of the pines in this fountain with the Purple Irisene.
Indian Magic Crabapple (Malus x 'Indian Magic')
The Muhlenbergia capillaris was covered in dew.
Sabal minor is one of the most cold hardy palms, being able to go well into zone 7, and maybe beyond. I have always thought that the seeds were attractive.

Golden Delicious Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans 'Golden Delicious)
Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)
Thanks to all of our customers for spending their disposable income with us. I hope all of you out there shop with your local independent retailers whenever possible.

11 comments:

  1. Gorgeous plants Les. I love the display that DM (your handmodel) put together. It is getting harder to justify spending money on plants with the economy being the way it is. I always shop as local as possible. :)

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  2. What a lot of gorgeousness!
    I am sitting here at 4 am, sleepless in Oxford, wondering what I am doing up, and then I get to see so much loveliness.

    Why don't you give the lady a first name at least. She did a splendid job arranging. Like a painting and your photo did it justice. Wish I could see it for real.

    I enjoyed your post very much. Thanks.

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  3. It just had to be great planning on your part to be such a great day for the Fall Festival:) Great plants.

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  4. Beautiful and yes certainly a fine fall day. Your garden looks stunning all those lovely plants. Nice to meat you Les./ TYRA

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  5. PGL,
    Thanks for shopping local. I am glad I get an employee discount, otherwise I'd have to get a second job to support my plant habit.

    Joco,
    I hope you are sleeping better. I am flattered that you spent your imsonia on my site. DM wants to maintain her anonymity so she won't have to sign autographs thereby ruining her assets.

    Tina,
    Thank you for the kind words, and we did plan, but the weather makes or breaks everything in my business.

    Tyra,
    Thanks for stopping by. The photos are from my work and I can only take partial credit for their appearance. Some of the plants are in our display gardens and others are just ones we have for sale. Either way it is a bit of a group effort.

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  6. Oh, I do hit the nurseries too often, but I confess I've been more concerned with fall sales: 50% off shrubs (fineline buckthorn--I want more but don't have room!), 75% off coreopsis.... I feel bad, but in some ways, feel ok, too. I AM buying stuff. Right? Helping them cut down winter bedding costs?

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  7. Les, sorry, my feed on my blogroll seems broken again and I just found your new post. The photos are great, and I love that abelia next to the loropetalum--the combination is stunning--may have to buy them both! I'm glad you all had such a lovely day, and isn't it great to slip on that jacket in the morning?

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  8. The oblique reference to the Ryder cup passed me by. ;-)
    Euonymus-wise you have me also confused:
    We actually have what you describe as the American version, and it has been there for donkeys' years.

    Now what am I to say imsonia-wise: That your wonderful post sent me to sleep? Would that be good or bad, I wonder ;-)

    Jo

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  9. I like the pic of the fountain the best but I am drawn to water so no wonder it is my fav...

    I dont know if you go back and read for answers to asked questions on comments or not but just wanted to let you know that my hubby, the Saint knew the answer to your question on the Washington and Jefferson Davis Monuments... I added a second reply to you over at In the Garden.. Anyway, the answer is YES, the Jefferson Davis Monument was modeled after the Washington Monument.... Washington was the first president of America and Davis was the first (and only) president of the Confederacy, hence the design. .

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  10. I'm so happy for you! Looks like you have a beautiful assortment. The mood here has changed also. Our nurseries were happy to see it.

    Have you heard of Daddy Pete's soil mixes? I just tried some and will continue to buy it. It was at one of my favorite nureseries. It's a blend of manure, fine bark chips, etc...the stuff we like. I'm going to do a post on them soon.

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  11. Ben,
    I am allowed to set my own prices at work, as well as determining what goes on sale or ends up in the clearance corner. I have to be very careful that I don't inadvertantly make something too low that I have my eye on for my own garden.

    Cosmo,
    Glad to know I am not the only one with computer/internet/feed issues. Also, I do NOT like to slip on a jacket in the morning. I like fall, but I dread winter (cold weather) and am more of a summer boy.

    Jo,
    I have never heard of "donkey's years". Since we have racoons here we usually use the phrase "in a coon's age".

    Skeeter,
    Thanks for the follow up answer. I like the fountain pic too, mainly because the Loblollies are so clear, unlike the water, which shot from a different angle would have shown just how nasty it was.

    Anna,
    Thanks for stopping by. I have not heard of Daddy Pete's, but I will be on the look out for it.

    Les

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