Monday, June 1, 2009

Cistus visit

What to do when a friend says she wants to buy an agave, and she’s never been to Cistus Nursery? You take her! Cistus is where we found our Yucca Rostrada, Sammy, last year. I was excited to see his brothers and sisters blooming.
In addition to the fabulous plants for sale, they have landscaped the area around the nursery that’s a must for wandering. I visited back in early February to find out how they fared with our extreme winter weather in December. They didn’t appear to be too hard hit, things looked better than in my garden, there was a little damage. They've definitely left winter behind now!Some how we both managed to be controlled shoppers. Denise left with 2 small Agave Americana. I took the plunge and bought the Manfreda ‘Macho Mocha’ that I’d been regretting not buying since the Hardy Plant society sale in April, and an Echium candicans ‘Veriegata’. I bought a small one last fall that perished over the winter and after seeing the fabulous specimen (above - at the beginning of the post) as we walked into the nursery, I had to have another one. Need another reason to visit the nursery? The drive out to Sauvie Island is a nice one, it really is amazing how fast you can leave the city behind and be in the country.

(Keith this post goes out to you in Cistus-less NYC...I feel your pain hope you are still shopping their catalogue!)

10 comments:

  1. I love that place! And I'm overdue for a visit, too. Thanks for the delightful tour.

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  2. I just love that sideways droopy pine. I always have to run my fingers through it, the needles are so soft! You've got me wanting a Yucca Rostrad. How is it I have gone all this time without one?

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  3. Enjoy that 'Macho Mocha'! It's a beauty.

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  4. It looks so much warmer than when Megan took me in January...

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  5. Jane doesn't it always seem like it's so far away? But then when I get there I wonder why I waited so long to make the trip, because it isn't really that far!

    Megan perhaps you've just been saving your pennies so you can afford one of the really big ones?

    Thanks Pam! Although it will never be the size of yours (unless we move south...) I love it!

    Patricia it was a little on the toasty side in the greenhouses. Definitely better than January/February, however that trip was worth it too, I really enjoyed getting to see how they protected their plants with the zip-up covers on the corner houses. Inspired me to make something similar when we get the shade shack up.

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  6. When you regretted not buying, means you will end up buying it no matter if there is sales or not he he he ;-) I am saying this for myself too... I went to one nursery the other day and now I kept thinking of the few plants that had caught my attention...

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  7. I have never been to Sauvie Island but am thinking that next Portland trip, it's a must. And I will not be able to go and not stop by Cistus! What an original. I really don't think we have anything like that here, poor us! Yes, you were restrained. Only two plants per person?!

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  8. Yep, you are correct Stephanie! I knew as long as they still had it that it would be mine! Are you going to go back and get the ones you left behind?

    Yes you really should plan it Karen...Have you heard of Joy Creek nursery? They are just beyond Sauvie Island on highway 30. I finally made it out there last fall. I'd heard so much about them and their display gardens. I was a little disappointed but that was more about me and my tastes than the quality of the nursery. They did have an amazing stand of bamboo. I guess that alone was worth the trip for me!

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  9. Oh, yes! Cistus and Sean...my favs. Joy Creek, too. I made a pilgrimage there a few years ago, and I'm planning a Portland trip now - can't wait to make the rounds. Sean Hogan is scheduled to speak and create a garden here in Sept at a new event: The Late Show Gardens, in Sonoma.

    So DG, you were disappointed by the display gardens at Joy Creek? Or their stock of plants? I've been reading about the expansion of the display gardens and have been curious to see how much they've changed. Alice

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  10. Bay Area TGT - about Joy Creek, no matter how much I read about fall being the best time to plant I just can't get behind that. Everything I planted last fall died. Unfortunately this was the time of year that I visited Joy Creek for the first time. So my mental state wasn't ideal and everything I bought died. I need to give them a second chance. If I had to answer the question about display gardens vs. stock of plants I would say the sock was the disappointment. The display gardens were very nice. Still I don't intend to at all talk them down or discourage anyone from visiting! They are a wonderful company and I enjoy hearing Maurice speak!

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