
This e-mail is being sent to you because you requested it. If this is not the case, see end of this e-mail. April 22, 2008
*Echiums, Thank Yous, Coming Attractions*
*Feast or Famine – Echiums* Sometimes we have no Echiums at all, but right now we have quite a few due to two separate donations.. Echiums typically seen in gardens have soft gray-green hariy leaves and spike-like clusters of blue-purple or pink flowers.They are attractive to bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and people. They need full sun, good drainage, and little or no water. Most Echiums need lots of room. They may be short lived, but not to worry – they reseed freely and you can always bring your seedlings to Markham to share. There is always a demand for Echiums because they are ignored by deer and they are so drought tolerant and showy. The first time you see an Echium in bloom is an unforgettable moment of wonder. You will understand why they are grown for their striking form and flower clusters. We have Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans or Echium fastuosum, which is a shrub that grows 5'-6' and 6'-10' wide). We also have a variegated Echium available. *Echium gentianoides* One of my neighbors has, planted in her front garden, the most beautiful and interesting Echium I have ever seen. At first, I thought it was an Euphorbia as it has the narrow sort of dark leaves. Then a spike of flowers started blooming in the richest, most intense blue imaginable. I then realized it had a label and found out it was Echium gentianoides and is also originally an Annie's Annuals plant. I am definitely coveting it and you will too if you are lucky enough to see one in bloom. My neighbor has promised me seed… so hopefully, maybe next year... Editor's Note: I've grown generations of the biennial Echium wildpretii for probably 10 years from a 4" plant I originally got from Markham as a free give-away. It puts on quite a show in the late spring of the second year when it suddenly jumps up to 8-10 feet plus and blooms. However, my Echium wildpretiis are nothing compared to what you can do to make yours the talk of the neighborhood, especially if you are growing yours in your front garden and your E. wildpretii is a descendant of the hybrid at Annie's Annuals. *New Additions to the Dollar Plant Table* We are adding chrysanthemums to the dollar table because they mostly sell in the fall and because I am cutting back my chrysanthemums and I feel compelled to propagate them. What you will find are mums labeled by color and form and named variety mums (originally purchased from King's Mums, who is a well know grower of chrysanthemums. This is a real bargain and you and your plants will get a head start on fall color. *Thank Yous* Thanks to Kelly for a donation of a couple of well grown Foxtail Asparagus ferns, Lemon Thyme, and hardy Geraniums. Kelly is one of our Markham Board Members and is a designer of native landscapes. Thanks to George and Lynda for a very large donation of pots. Due to their generousity, we have a large number of clay pots, many of which will be put on out free table and be available to our customers. Included in this donation are also many clay orchid pots and some decorative pots. If you are interested in the orchid pots, come see us on Tuesday at Markham or send an email to Markham which includes your telephone number, so I can get back to you. *Coming Attractions* Our next Saturday Plant Sale is May 3, 10am to 2pm. We expect to have a large stock of plants available for the sale… and Watch for emails about some very special plants available soon. *All for Now… See You Soon at the Markham Nursery?* How about Tuesday a.m.? Call or e-mail us if you have something special you are looking for and we'll see what we can do.
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!!! Any Amount - Valid for Membership and/or Plant Purchases
Markham Arboretum Nursery www.markhamarboretum.org 4" pots @ $2------1 Gallon pots @ $4
*Plant Sale Every Tuesday* 9 am to 12 noon	*2008 Saturday Plant Sales* May 3, June 14, Aug 2, Sep 13, Oct 18, Nov. 15 10 am to 2 pm
1202 La Vista Way (off Clayton Rd ), Concord , CA 94521 (map) e-mail: markham.arb@gmail.com tel: 925-681-2968
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