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August 3, 2010   You are receiving this email because you requested it, if not, see the end of this email.


In This Email Update...
Next Saturday Plant Sale, August 7th; 10am-2pm
Plant of the Week -- Salvia 'Pozo Blue'
Exploring the World of Geraniums with Robin Parer - August 14th

 Markham Saturday Plant Sale -- Rain or Shine!
Saturday - August 7th - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 
Save the date....
 
Featuring late Summer and Fall blooming perennials
especially suited to Contra Costa County gardens
 
Excellent selection of California Natives
 
Outside Vendor:  Garden Natives 
Bargain, $1 and free plant tables
Remember... our low prices include sales tax
 
Sale is held at
Markham Garden Center (map)
1202 La Vista Avenue, Concord, CA 94521
Phone: 925.681.2968 -- on the web: www.markhamarboretum.org
 
 
Plant of the Week
 
Salvia 'Pozo Blue'
Salvia 'Pozo Blue'...picture www.laspilitas.com

It's hard to beat Salvia clevelandii and its many cultivars and hybrids as a native shrub for color and fragrance, and Salvia 'Pozo Blue' is no exception.  Thought to be a hybrid between Salvia clevelandii (Cleveland Sage) and Salvia leucophylla (Purple Sage), Salvia 'Pozo Blue' reaches about 5' tall and wide, is drought tolerant, and perfect for a mid-sized butterfly hedge.  Its blue-violet flowers put on quite a show for 6-8 weeks in early summer, when butterflies and hummingbirds work the blossoms.  After bloom, the aging bloom spikes still provide interest in the late summer garden, so many gardeners wait to deadhead until Fall. The silvery gray, evergreen foliage is aromatic year-round, providing a wonderful mixture of spicy and sweet fragrance when you near it.
 
Salvia 'Pozo Blue' does best in full sun, and looks more lush with a bit of deep watering during our inland summer heat.  It tolerates a variety of soil types from clay to sand, and is extremely frost hardy.
 
I use Salvia 'Pozo Blue' as a mid-sized background shrub in my designs, and in spots where I like seasonal privacy (keeping in mind that I cut mine down by 1/3rd or more each Fall).  It's also well placed 3-4' from a path, where visitors must brush the foliage when passing by, releasing a lovely aroma.
 
We have a selection of Salvia 'Pozo Blue' and other Salvias in the Markham Nursery. More pictures and info on Pozo Blue can be found at the Los Pilitas Nursery site... click
 
Editor's Note: If you enjoyed last week's email on Carpenteria (a California native) written by Troy McGregor of Garden Natives, then you'll also probably appreciate this week's (above) about Salvia 'Pozo Blue' (another native) written by Kelly Marshall of Kelly Marshall Garden Design.  Both Kelly and Troy are Board members at Markham and use California native plants extensively in their design work.

Exploring the Fascinating World of the Geranium Family

 
Robin ParerCome meet Robin Parer, the Bay Area's noted Geraniaceae expert and learn about these amazing plants! 

Where:
Garden Center, Markham Nature Park and Arboretum
1202 La Vista Avenue
Concord, CA 94521

When:
August 14, 2010 -- 10:00 AM -to- Noon

Many people think that geraniums are those red flowers found in old gardens. Often people say "I don't like them." Explore the astonishing diversity in the Geranium Family with author and horticulturist Robin Parer and meet Geranium cousins you never knew existed--fantastically beautiful and even fantastically unusual. There will be practice propagation. And there will be plants for sale!
 
Please click on the link (right) to register or RSVP. Register or RSVP now

Please contact us: phone: 925-681-2968 -- email: [email protected]
if you need any additional information or if you have any questions about the event or how to register. We look forward to seeing you at the event!
 
Come and Visit the Nursery

Come visit us and let us help you make your summer garden complete... always room for one more plant? Volunteers to help with selections and purchases are normally here on Tuesday morning from 9 until noon, and occasionally other hours, but call ahead to confirm.

The Nursery is located at 1202 La Vista Avenue (off Clayton Road) in Concord (map). On Tuesday's you can drive all the way into the Nursery area. The office phone is 925-681-2968 or you can email to [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Plant Lady, Barb, Steve, and all the volunteers! 

Plant Sales every Tuesday from 9 until noon
 
Saturday Plant Sales Schedule for 2010:  10am - 2pm
 next Saturday Sale is August 7th,
September 11th, October 16th, November 13th

Most 4" pots @ $2       Most 1 Gallons @ $4