Shopping Annie's Annuals' 15% off sale

It’s no secret that Annie’s Annuals & Perennials in Richmond, CA is one of my favorite nurseries. Now through the end of the year they’re having a 15% off sale on everything in the nursery: plants, gift items, even gift certificates. Is there a better reason to visit? Granted, the best time for planting is over for the year, but what is life if you don’t push the envelope a little bit?

In that spirit, I made the one-hour drive yesterday. My partner in crime was my friend Brian who volunteers at the Ruth Bancroft Garden. While it’s fun shopping with somebody who is as plant-obsessed as you are, it’s also dangerous because you end up pushing each other to buy even more than you had planned: “Hey, doesn’t this plant look good? You should try it!” Or “This plant does really well in my garden. You need to get one, too.” I apologize to Brian if I made him buy something he hadn’t planned on buying!

Richmond is in zone 10a. Davis, where I live, is in zone 9b. You might think there isn’t much difference, but there is. There is a big difference, actually, especially in the winter. Plants that struggle in Davis—think aeoniums, many proteas, fuchsias, etc.—sail through Richmond’s virtually frost-free winters. That’s why Annie’s display gardens look good all year. I enjoy looking at them almost as much as I like shopping!

This is what I saw at Annie’s yesterday:

Many nurseries have cats, Annie’s has a friendly cow

Acacia cognata ‘Cousin Itt’ is a plant I’ve become obsessed with, mostly because I seem to be unable to keep it alive. And yet, look at the specimen at Annie’s! It’s the very definition of perfection!

Acacia cognata ‘Cousin Itt’

Acacia cognata ‘Cousin Itt’ and Graptoveria ‘Fred Ives’

Acacia cognata ‘Cousin Itt’ and Dudleya hassei

Dudleya brittonii. I bought one in the spring and have actually been able to keep it alive!

Wider view of this bed

Echeveria colorata

Echeveria ‘Imbricata’

Wider view

And even wider. I love the arctotis in the foreground (no ID).

Echeveria ‘Purple Pearl’

Echeveria runyonii

Mystery plant alert! Does anybody know what the attractive silver-leaved plant on the right is?

Mystery plant two (the yellow one on the left)

How much more eclectic can you get! Look at the blob of what looks like moss. You’ll see it again later.

Beach Primrose (Camissonia cheiranthifolia), a California native trailing groundcover. Tried it and killed it.

Graptoveria ‘Fred Ives’ at its very best

Beschorneria yuccoides ‘Flaming Glow’ with Dudleia hassei (left) and Sedum nussbaumerianum (right)

Gomphrena globosa explosion

I grow Gomphrena decumbens but need to give Gomphrena globosa a try as well!

Aloe vanbalenii

Fan aloe (Kumara plicatilis)

Mystery plant#3

The words “50% off” are like catnip to gardeners!

Echeveria ‘Imbricata’ may be as common as it gets, but it never fails to wow me

Succulent goodies as far as you can see

Annie’s Cotyledon orbiculata has a variety designation now, var. spuria

Demonstration plants in the succulent area

Echeveria ‘Lady Aquarius’

Australian astroturf (Scleranthus biflorus). This moss-like plant is actually a member of the carnation family. Tolerates sun and heat. I may have to try it someday. Still, it would look odd to have something like this growing in the full sun among succulents.

A plant I’ve heard much about over the years but had never actually laid eyes on: Mandragora officinarum, the mysterious and reputedly magical mandrake. It forms a 4-foot (!) taproot! Never one to shy away from the weird and wonderful, I was tempted to try one but it had the dreaded white tag, meaning it’s expensive. I didn’t immediately see a price but it turns out it was $14.95. I didn’t get one, and may forever regret it.

Celosia argentea

One last look at the sea of seedlings

Here is Brian with his haul. My purchases are in the green cart of the left:

This is what I got:

Dudleya hassei, one of three dudleyas I got. I’ve killed quite a few over the years but am going to give these coastal California succulents another try. The key is to plant them on a slight slope so water drains away from them, and to keep them on the dry side in the summer.

Here is a list of my purchases: