Retail therapy

Two weeks ago I took a relatively quick spin through four local garden centers.  As I didn't find what I was looking for during that excursion, I decided to wander further afield this week, driving 45 miles south to Roger's Gardens in Corona Del Mar.  Although there was more going on at Roger's than at my local garden centers, it was clear that there's a way to go before the shelves are fully stocked.  I didn't go home empty-handed but I spent as much time perusing the plant displays on Roger's exterior grounds as I did shopping.

If you're interested in a tour of the exterior perimeter, here we go.

This was the view from my parked car, looking at a large Leucadendron in full flower, surrounded by Aeoniums

This is a view of the same Leucadendron from the sidewalk.  I like how the coral-colored Aloes pick up the color of the Leucadendron's brightly colored bracts.

Two Agaves were blooming.  The one on the right is an Agave 'Joe Hoak' but I'm not sure of the identity of the one on the left.

The Leucadendrons here were mixed with Agave attenuata

These noID Agaves were combined with Grevillea 'Scarlet Sprite' and rosemary

Even the hell-strip looked good.  The Chondropetalum tectorum here are much more well-behaved than my own.

Grevillea 'Scarlet Sprite', prostrate rosemary, and Aeoniums are mixed here with what I think is Westringia 'Morning Light'

At the corner of two busy streets on the outermost edge of Roger's property, a large demonstration garden surrounds a gazebo.  As it's Aloe bloom season, those plants were making a major statement.

I took my photos just after noon so their clarity is less than ideal

I vaguely recall hearing that this Aloe is a hybrid but I've no record of its name.  It's gorgeous, though, as are the Agave ovatilolia cozied up against it.

This area on the other side of the gazebo featuring Agave attenuata was more subdued

Close-up photos, clockwise from the upper left: Flower of the striking centerpiece Aloe, a noID yellow-flowered Aloe in front of an Agave vilmoriniana 'Stained Glass', Agave ovatifolia, and Cordyline 'Electric Flash'

Inside the garden center's sale area, I found the tall Dianthus I've been looking for.  I'm also on the hunt for a Japanese maple and, although they had a selection in stock, I didn't find one that demanded to be taken home with me.  So I stalked the succulent displays.  

Roger's has a great range of succulents in various sizes.  I appreciate that they always have some in wallet-friendly pony-packs.  They had an Agave 'Stained Glass' in a large pot but I couldn't quite bring myself to take it home at the price on the tag, especially as I don't immediately have a spot for a specimen that gets as large as that one.  If I do go with succulents for my back slope, that one may end up on the plant list, however.

The only succulent I brought home was Aeonium 'Zwartkop'.  After seeing my neighbor's combination of that Aeonium and Agave 'Blue Glow' earlier this week, I felt compelled to replicate it in my own garden.

The Aeonium is still in its pot here on its tryout between an Agave 'Blue Flame' and 3 'Blue Glows'

After several weeks of chilly temperatures, our temperatures are climbing.  They could get up to 80F/26C tomorrow.  Nice weather for working in the garden!  I hope you get some nice weather too or, if you're housebound by snow or rain, that you can plant yourself in front of a crackling fire to dream of your spring garden.


All material © 2012-2019 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party