October 10 – Save the Date for our Annual Fall Plant Sale
– Liz Parsons, Milo Baker President
Our annual plant sale will be on October 10 at the Laguna Nursery from 10 am to 1 pm for the public. Members will have a special opportunity to shop from 9–10 am. Please place the flyer it on your local bulletin board. The flyer features the California fuchsia, or Epilobium canum, or Zauschneria (its old name), which many gardeners and I use as a common name. Zauschneria is the star of the native garden in late summer and fall. It blooms from late July through November, when the first frost ends its season. Hummingbirds love the tubular-shaped flowers, as do other pollinators. The sale will feature pink and salmon varieties, such as ‘Marin Pink’ and ‘Sierra Salmon’. I prefer the bright crimson red ones that enliven the garden during the hot summer days. CA fuchsia is widely distributed and remarkably variable. Thus, there are many named varieties available. At our sale, there will be at least 8 varieties, including ‘Liz’s Choice’.
The sale is an important fundraiser for the chapter. In the October newsletter, I will write more about the specific plants at the sale. The list will also appear on our website. Lynnette Bower and many volunteers have been hard at work propagating and potting up many beautiful plants all year. Many of the plants are grown from seeds and cuttings from the nursery stock plants. Best of all, they are Phytophthera-free! Please walk through the disinfectant mat as you enter the nursery area to ensure that the nursery remains a clean space. The price of plants has not changed: gallon plants will be $12.00, and the 4-inch plants will be $7.00. Tax is NOT included.
This year Jasmine Dingler, and Natasha Granoff are co-chairs of the sale. Betty Young is in charge of volunteers. Stop by the books and t-shirt area, where Erika Erzberger will be happy to show you our fabulous collection of books. The seed and bulb area is always interesting; Louise Riedel will be happy to help you with your selection.
Remember that fall is planting season in California. Plants planted in the fall develop a good root system during the winter rains and are ready to survive the summer heat.