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Our Favey Fave Annual Wildflowers Are HERE!
Even though we’re still having frosty mornings here, we can tell that spring is not far away because some of our most “Favey Fave” annual California native wildflowers are rapidly leafing out, and a few “over achievers” are already starting to bloom! While this dainty collection of wildflowers may lack in stature – with most blossoms being 1-2” - it makes up for it tenfold in floriferousness, long bloominess and friendliness to the bees and butterflies. And those combos! Any way you mix and match these yellows, blue/purples and creamy whites, they are gorgeous together in a bed. Did we mention they readily self-sow for freebies in the future!
Purpleicious Plants for Every Garden
“Purpleicious” – not a color, but rather the state of being used to describe many a garden bed that is simply made more beautiful as a result of incorporating purple into its color palette. Living somewhere between red and blue, purple is one of our favorite garden colors because it looks fantastic mixed with almost any other color in in the garden. High drama abounds when you pair purple with yellows and oranges. Subtle romance emerges when purple mingles in with softer pinks, peaches and blues or stately elegance radiates when mixed with whites and soft foliage greens. Whether your garden is cottage classic, Mediterranean, rock or full xeriscape, and whether you’re in need of full sun or shade, groundcovers or shrubs, there’s a perfect purple plant for you.
NATIVES FOR THE NEW YEAR!
Happy New Year! To get your gardens growing in 2022 we thought we'd begin with a focus on California Native perennial shrubs – so useful as anchor plants in the garden and so environmentally important for all the birds, bees and little critters. While it is still a bit too cold and thus too early for many annuals, now is still a great time to get those native perennials in the ground. To explain more about why this is and highlight some great options, we've invited back one of our favorite and most knowledgeable local nurserymen, Earl Nickel of Grand Lake Ace Hardware in Oakland, to guest BLOG about why native perennial shrubs make such good garden choices. See what's on Earl's shortlist and why when you - READ HIS BLOG POST HERE.
Colorful California
Whether you live here or just want to add a bit of color from the Golden State to your corner of the world, we have you covered! Here at Annie's, we take great pride in our home state and cultivate over 250 species of California natives right here in Richmond, CA for gardens near and far. Versatile enough for any garden setting from dry to high color country style. Give them a try and we are sure that our faves will be your faves soon too!
Wowza Perennials Perfect For Planting Now
Aloe tomentosa "Hairy Green Aloe"HAIRY GREEN FLOWERS! No Joke! This unusual Aloe native to Yemen produces numerous 3' tall multi-branching flower spikes topped with pyramidal clusters of WOOLY, sea-green blooms! Forms a 2' tall and 3-4' wide rosette of smooth, bright green leaves with toothed edges and a light powdering of blue-green – though some plants may have stripes or a mottling on the leaves. Makes a beautiful container specimen with the added bonus of bringing the fluffy flowers closer to eye-level. Blooms in Summer attracting bees and hummers. Provide excellent drainage for a happy plant.
"PERENNIALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE!"
A short list of our favorite tried-and-true indestructible perennials
Here at Annie's we have a special classification of plants that are not only beautiful, but so hearty that they are hard to kill even if you try! If you or someone you know is affectionately known as a "plant murderer" take note of these tried-and-true can't-kill-'em favorites that are also all perennials, perfect for planting now, and sure to reward you for years to come.
The A’s Have It! Achillea, Agaves, Aloes & Aeoniums
Although last week's storm was a doozy, we're not out of the drought yet, so water-wise perennials still top on our list of plants to grow for a more drought tolerant, environmentally sustainable garden. Achilleas, agaves, aloes and aeoniums all offer rich color, structure and texture that can integrate well into many garden styles. And since they are all perennials, now is a perfect time for planting so they can establish strong root systems and mature before the heat of summer.
Plant Cool and Look Cool
This week we're dishing up some cool (weather) perennials and cool Annie's apparel which has recently "come back from the Dead." With the weather cooling, tis the season to plant perennials so they can leverage the lower temps and rains to establish strong root systems that will then help them survive heat with less water over summer. Tis also the season to grab one of our Dia de los Muertos hip skull and botanical print t-shirts and sweatshirts that were designed by the one and only Annie Hayes herself and have not been around for quite some time.
The Nose Knows – the beauty of fragrance in the Garden
If emails sent scents, this one would offer an "AromaRama" of sweet and delicious smells. Fragrant plants add a wonderful sensory bonus to the visual beauty of flowers and foliage in the garden. The smell of a garden can be just as appealing as how it looks, and those smells also attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. In addition to enjoying these lovelies in the garden many make excellent long-lasting cut flowers that let you bring the beauty and fragrance inside.
THE FREESIA BULBS ARE HERE!!
Our freesia bulbs are here! For 2021, we have a collection of customer favorites plus two brand new rare varieties you won't find anywhere else. These beautiful freesias will be the only bulbs we offer this season and quantities are limited, so if you want them, we recommend you act fast.
All of our freesias are a whopping 10 bulbs per bag. And, they naturalize and spread rather easily in our climate so you can enjoy FREESIA FREEBIES for years to come.
