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Some of the Benefits of Native Plants in Your Garden
Once established, native plants require little or no supplemental applications of pesticides, fertilizers and water. Native plants are able to survive without supplemental staples because they have adapted to grow in regional conditions. Native plants often have characteristics that aid in nutrient and water intake and storage that can provide for sustainability. These types of plants have bftyle="FONT-WEIGHT:bold;FONT-STYLE:italic;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;">Philadelphus lewisii ("Wild Mock Orange")
Philadelphus lewisii (right) is a California native shrub that can grow to 9+ feet. It is one of the most ornamental of the northwestern United States natives. It has masses of white, very fragrant Spring blossoms with medium green leaves that turn clear yellow in Fall. Lewisii (named after the early 19th century explorer) has an upright form with arching branches and is good for hedges or specimen planting. It needs full sun to part shade and is drought tolerant. Maintenance includes pruning out one-third of the oldest branches every year, after flowering, for renewal and to maintain shape and size. It is available in the Markham Nursery in 5 gallon containers.
Clarkia
 Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring) is also a California native. If you want masses of marvelous blooms for months and armloads of cut flowers, you must have Clarkias in you garden. They will add a "cottage garden" feel to your garden and will self-sow freely. They also attract bees and butterflies and are deer resistant.
Clarkia amoena "Aurora" (right; sometimes called Godetia) has peachy cup-shaped flowers atop branching stems. The drought tolerant can grow to 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide. Clarkias tolerate poor dry soil and will thrive in average well-drained soil They need sun and average to low water. As an annual, it is available in the Markham Nursery in 4 inch pots with most pots containing more than one plant.
Camellias Blooming at Markham
While we do not usually have many camellias for sale in the Nursery, and camellias are not native plants; at this time of the year Markham has a glorious display of camellias that are well over 25 years old. They were planted by the Markham family when they owned the property. Most of the camellias are now 10-15 foot tall and many are 10 foot across and will be fully covered with flowers when in full bloom. Their names are largely unknown. Peak blooming season is mid-Winter in our area for these Camellia japonicas. This year looks to be great as usual and Jim of our volunteers has been working hard to bring them to their full glory. The pictures above and below were taken this morning. The show is only starting, and there were many more varieties than those pictured; it will last about a month, weather willing. If you are looking for a leisurely walk on level paths (be prepared for some mud at the moment though) try to get by and see them. They are located between the Nursery and Galindo Creek and just upstream from the La Vista parking lot.
Too late now, but if you are interested in camellias, you should have taken the free class offered at Heather Farm last Sunday taught by Robert Ehrhart, a camellia fanatic, and especially for the chance to visit his half-acre camellia garden in Walnut Creek. If you see it offered again and/or get a chance to visit this private camellia garden, don't pass it up. You can get a sample of Ehrhart's garden and what the Pleasant Hill Garden Study Club saw when they toured last February at http://www.phgsc.com/Galleries/CamelliaTour/
All for Now… See You Soon at the Markham Nursery?
How about Tuesday a.m.? Our Saturday sales are detailed below. Call or e-mail us if you have something special you are looking for and we'll see what we can do.
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Plant Sale Every Tuesday
9 am to 12 noon |
2008 Saturday Plant Sales
March 1, April 5, May 3, June 14
Aug 2, Sep 13, Oct 18, Nov. 15
10 am to 2 pm
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