Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Tacoma nursery visits on the way to Seattle...

It seems that Andrew and I cannot make the trip up to Seattle without stopping in Tacoma on the way. Our latest outing was back on February 20th, headed up for the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. We stopped in Tacoma for lunch and then Andrew wanted to visit the Tacoma Book Center. I considered my options and decided to head over to Watson's.

There were still remnants of their obscene snowfall.

I went to put our coffee cups in the parking lot can and caught sight of color. Huh. What's up with the primrose toss?

There were still plenty of primroses on display...

I know this as Leucothoe fontanesiana 'rainbow', the tag read Rainbow Drooping Fetterbush. That's a mouthful.

Have I already mentioned the issue with Helleborus foetidus?

Every single nursery that carries this plant has non-blooming ones for sale. Every nursery. Every plant. No blooms. What's up with that?

I'm surprised some wise-acre hasn't started a fire and then sat back and enjoyed it.

Kokedama daffodils, that's a first for me.

Which came first, the watering cans or the orchids?

So many Sansevieria...

Bromeliad and Croton seem to be quite the popular combo.

Cryptanthus, which I managed to pass by, barely.

And more Kokedama....

I didn't buy any plants at this stop, but picked up one of the medium sized metal wall planters. I have two of the small and thought another size would be interesting.

Andrew was still happily ensconced at the book store so I traveled on to Windmill...

Where I admired the colorful Bergenia...

But then quickly hustled indoors because it was cold! This interesting twiggy treatment was along the back wall of the indoor area.

Oh! Love a half off sale...

And briefly considered this little guy until I came to my senses and just said no.

I've been here once or twice before and don't remember the indoor tropical garden.

Look at the size of that Croton!

With a bloom even.

Finally it was time to make my way back to the car, back to Andrew.

I wanted to be tempted by a Bromeliad...

But nothing on this visit.

Weather Diary, March 11: Hi 57, Low 29/ Precip .19"

All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

21 comments:

  1. Maybe I shouldn't feel bad that my H. foetidus never blooms either. But I do want that twiggy wall!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought the not blooming issue was just the nursery plants. Everyone I see planted out is in full glorious bloom.

      Delete
  2. I had a hard time getting past the primrose in the trash bin. I would be tempted to reach in and rescue them. Plus, I'm surprised they don't recycle... The galvanized medium hanging pot is a good addition. For a moment I thought that entire cart was heading with you to the register. What issues are you having with the stinky hellebore? I remember you mentioning it a couple of posts ago too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Good point about the cart, I should have explained...I think the staff had loaded up the cart to move them to another part of the store. My Hellebore issues were just that I wanted to buy one, but couldn't find one in bloom at the nurseries. It's so odd to me that every other hellebore is blooming but it refuses to do so.

      Delete
  3. Possibly the discarded Primulas had some disease or pests? Prevention's easier than a cure.

    I wouldn't have been able to walk past all those Cryptanthus, in fact found it hard to scroll past -- and I have no idea what they are. {Pause for searching.} Ah, another kind of bromeliad that comes in a zillion colors and patterns. Well, I imagine your existing wall o'plants in the basement helps keep you on the straight and narrow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good point about the primroses. The only reason I was able to walk past the cryptanthus was because I already have several at home, including the ones they had on offer. They are such cool plants!

      Delete
  4. What, no dumpster diving for the primroses? The crypatnthus do look tempting. Glad you got another size of galvanized planter to add to the collection. Watson's is always moving things around, changing displays, getting new stuff. I had an Helleborus foetidus in my garden and it bloomed for a few years before it died. I've tried planting replacements in various spots in my garden and they usually don't last long for me. Do let us know if you learn the secret to success with them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear that hellebore is pretty short lived, which must be why the one I had previously died. I'm afraid that even if someone handed me one of those primroses I would have refused it. They're just too cheery!

      Delete
  5. I'm more than a little surprised to hear that Helleborus foetidus are tricky in the PNW. In the mid-Atlantic states they self-sow readily, and have become popular for groundcover in shady, dryish sites (under trees). Their unpalatability to deer is a big part of the attraction, but also the dark bear-claw foliage is long-lasting and a good foil to other shades and shapes of green. They're one of the plants you can count on seeing at Master Gardeners' sales, because many people have extras.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a gardening friend up in Spokane who's offered me some of her seedlings, and I've heard they seed around well at Joy Creek Nursery, so they're not a complete failure out here.

      Delete
    2. Just encountered a great image* of Helleborus foetidus blooming along a rocky ridge in the garrigue of southwest France -- so I'm thinking the dry/drainage aspect may be more critical than for other kinds of hellebores.
      *Dan Pearson's Instagram feed (coyotewillow)

      Delete
    3. This is good to know as I consider placement of the plants I am being gifted!

      Delete
  6. If you want to be tempted by Bromeliads, look at the collection list of Michael's Bromeliads. I only recently discovered the nursery but am sorely tempted to place an order once temperatures warm up across the country. Alternatively, I might need to plan a trip to Florida...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh! Another online source to stalk, thank you!

      Delete
  7. It still fun to look, even if nothing calls out to you for a ride home.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It looks like the perfect place for a rest stop on a long drive!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A little lunch, stretch the legs..yes indeed!

      Delete
  9. How perfect that Andrew has something that fascinates him with nurseries nearby.
    rickii

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Books and museums for him, plants and gardens for me!

      Delete
  10. I'm finally catching up on comments after being away. I love that tropical area at Windmill. Their banana has produced fruit in the past. It's too bad they carry so few plants in the off season.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!