Southern California
FUN Gardening Club
San Diego Chapter Newsletter
Vol. I No. 2
11/20/03
Hello San Diego FUN Gardening Members!
I was reminded last weekend that San Diego is a B-I-G county. I made the
trek to Las Pilitas Nursery in Escondido (in Escondido?). Just when I
thought I had to be near the northern county line on I-15, there it was, the
Gopher Canyon exit, and it's a l-o-n-g way from Point Loma. Nevermind, it
was a special trip, because this was the first time I would meet other members
of the Southern California FUN Gardening Club.
I was not disappointed; I met Mary (aka Stella Blue) and her
partner-in-gardening, John, as well as Nancey from San Marcos, and Tracey, who
is practically my neighbor in Ocean Beach. We yakked a lot while comparing
this mimulus with that mimulus and sniffed various sage leaves.
We were prepared for the somewhat limited assortment of plants, and their
sometimes puny appearance, having been forewarned by another recent
visitor. Each of us had spent time on the Las Pilitas website (www.laspilitas.com) in advance to see what
might interest us, check availability, and pricing. I came with a list of
nine possibilities, intending to purchase perhaps three.
General impressions: if you are into tropicals or the lush cottage garden
look, save your gas money, this place isn't for you. If you have a need
for low-water use plants, or like plants that thrive on benign neglect, or seek
a natural-looking garden to shelter wildlife, attract hummingbirds and
butterflies, this is your cup of tea.
It appears they are working on a demonstration garden, which will greatly
enhance the understanding of how these plants perform in the ground (pots don't
do them justice). This very weekend they are having a special sale and
promotion, with booths and information about California natives.
I bought Yerba Buena, a low, spreading groundcover, penstemon Margarita BOP,
which is a compact evergreen, bright-blue bloomer, mimulus aurantiacus
puniceus, a San Diego native monkey flower with red/gold blooms, zauschneria
california 'Catalina', or California Island Fuschia, and one impulse purchase
(thanks, John!), dudleya ingens from Baja California. I was disappointed
to find no salvia spathacea (hummingbird sage) available -- come back in six to
eight weeks. Most of the plants I bought are hummingbird magnets, and
most will be placed in the outer edges of my garden, where I drag the hose less
frequently; they should be content next to the lavenders and phormium.
Special Note: Las Pilitas gave us a spreadsheet about watering intervals
for natives, extremely helpful.
I cannot tell you how pleasant it was to picnic with my fellow gardeners.
I had brought some garden pix and a garden book just in case the conversation
lagged -- totally unnecessary! Everyone faces some sort of challenge, be
it hot sun in summer, all new garden and all the decisions that come with
it, slopes, invasive plant experiences, we could have yakked all day!
But we didn't. We pooled our purchases to acheive a 10% discount, and
dispersed to all points on the compass. And with North San Diego County being
so full of specialty nurseries, it was hard to go straight home! Tropic
World was calling my name as I drove past.
We Missed You!! Try to make it to a gathering, you won't regret it.
Future ideas:
Mary brought up the idea of tours of member gardens. We all felt our
gardens were in need of help, and not ready for a tour. We joked about
having "idea" tours, or "constructive criticism"
tours. Fact is, we are all so spread out, it will take great
determination to do tours of member gardens. But don't be shy, we'd love
to visit your little corner of paradise.
I suggested getting together to take advantage of tours organized by local
horticultural societies. I attended several of these last spring
(April-May) and I thought they were great. It would be really FUN (that's
our name, right?) to make the rounds with other garden enthusiasts from our club.
The tickets were $5 per garden, and you could get a deal of 5 tickets for $20,
as I recall. Locations ranged from Seattle to San Diego over several
weekends. Last spring, while visiting the garden of author Pat Welsh, I
was the lucky recipient of a geranium madarense from her garden. She just
yanked it out of the ground and gave it to me! So you never know
what might happen, and at the very least, you will be greatly inspired.
HOT TIP: Buena Creek Gardens is having a sale November 22 & 23, up to
30% off, check their website for maps & information.
That's all the news from San Diego County, gotta go rake leaves, deadhead some
roses, and stick those new natives in the ground..
Your editor,
Kim Cyr
You can view pictures at the link below.
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=9tsywfd.nkjl65l&x=0&y=-r9f1un