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September 28, 2010   You are receiving this email because you requested it, if not, see the end of this email.
In This Email Update...
Think Beyond the Water Bill
Succulents... Specials @ Half-Price
"Yes, It Is A Daylily!" (Saturday, 10/9)
Think Beyond the Water Bill?
   In the past, periods of extended drought and water rationing have been the main driver for home owners to look towards native plants. There's no doubt that they can handle periods of extreme weather and drought, however there are other benefits for including them in the landscape, such as wildlife. 
   Urban sprawl and land clearing in general have removed valuable habitat from the landscape. Plant species are pushed to the brink which puts pressure on the species that rely on them for food and shelter. The good news is that the majority of these birds, bugs and butterflies are more than willing to venture into our yards, provided there is a supply of food, water and shelter. 
   Butterflies such as the Monarch will tend to be passersby if the only source of food is just a nectar producing flower. Adding one of our many species of Milkweed (Asclepias spp. - host plant) to the garden not only provides a fuel source for the adult but a nursery for their young to be raised. Skippers on the other hand tend to frequent the garden throughout the warmer months with a preference for the Buckwheats (Eriogonum spp.) and native Verbenas (Verbena Lilacina). 
   Nectar fuelled hummingbirds are the fighter jets of the garden and can keep a gardener both on their toes and entertained at the same time. At this time of year it's hard not to be impressed with the California fuchsias (Epilobium spp.). They are a favorite for hummingbirds but can potentially be fatal. The majority of these plants are either low growers or only reach 18-24". This is easy territory for savvy cats, so to solve the problem we added the California fuchsias to hanging baskets and found that they thrived. Sometimes the best bet is to think up.
   Bees are the most important group of pollinators in our state and the responsibility for pollinating crops and wildflowers is a burden they happily to shoulder. The most visible bees are the non native honey bees and our local populations of bumble bees and carpenter bees. Many more native species (1500 in California) go unseen. The fear of bee stings is a valid concern for those with severe allergic reactions; however for the rest of us, the likelihood of a sting is remote. The list of plant species that are visited by bees is vast and includes larger shrubs such as Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos) down to the easy California Poppies (Eschscholzia). A wealth of information can be found through the Xerces Society (http://www.xerces.org/) on both identification and  habitat. 
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Succulents... Special @ Half-Price
Throught the end of the year most of our succulents in 4" pots and 1 gallon containers will be half-price... starting now.
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Yes, It Is A Daylily! ... Saturday, October 9th
           
DayliliesIn partnership with Markham Regional Arboretum Society, the Bay Area Daylily Society (BADS) is pleased to present
"Yes It Is A Daylily!". 

When:  October 9, 2010 10am
Where:  Garden Center, Markham Nature Park and Arboretum,
             1202 La Vista Avenue, Conocrd, CA 94521 (map)
 
This presentation is geared to show the many faces of daylilies other than the common red, yellow & orange flowers seen in most garden centers.   Also, learn how to grow and maintain these wonderful plants. 
 
Every attendee will receive a free daylily  There will also be a free drawing for a daylily valued at $50 or more  Daylilies will be available for purchase too. 
 
PRESENTOR:  Neal Richmond
Neal Richmond, a long-time Concord resident, has been growing daylilies for over two decades and served for 6 years as president of the Nor-Cal Daylily Group and 4 years as Vice President of the American Hemerocallis Society's Region 7, which is comprised of California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii.  He has also been a Garden Judge, Exhibition Judge and Instructor of Judges in daylily exhibitions and garden events.  
 
FREE for MRAS members; Non-members $10 per person. Space is limited
 
Please signup with Nancy Harvey by 10/4/2010 at 925-825-5076  or email: etandivad@aol.com 
 
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 info@markhamarboretum.org.

From all the Volunteers, we look forward to seeing you soon! 

Plant Sales every Tuesday from 9 until noon
 
Saturday Plant Sales Schedule for 2010:  10am - 2pm
 next Saturday Sale is October 16th,
last Saturday sale of the year is November 13th
 
Markham Nursery Prices  effective Sept. 2010
4"  standard pot ...........................$3
4" deep pot "special" plant................$4
1 gallon standard pot......................$5
1 gallon "special" plant (e.g., natives)..$6
2 gallon.....................................$8
5 gallon...................individually priced