Drycreek Blog

Shade Spots - Shade Plants

2012-06-10T18:10:00-04:00

The fence creates a very visible place to show off some shade loving summer plants. The deep purple Choral Bells is such a beautiful contrast to the light glaze of a twelve inch pot. This plant has been living in the space, year round for several years. We add a bit of new soil and about half an inch of organic, composted Chicken manure as a top layer. The blooms are a couple weeks later than the bright pink Choral Bells in the yard, but those plants get some sun. These flowers are soft white.

The Jacob's Ladder would like more sun. It seems that last year, the plant enjoyed this spot much more than this year. Last year the plant was more compact, more upright. This year it's more leggy, moving all over the place looking for the sun. It still looks great and is blooming.

We waited until now to plant the Coleus out side in its shade corner. Around this yard, Coleus enjoys some morning sun that quickly turns to dappled late morning shade, then deep shade for the length of the afternoon. This one gets full shade.

The purple flowers are abundant and long lasting on the Dalmatian Blue Bellflower. This easy beauty is a type of Campanula and a good choice for the semi-shade or dappled shade garden. This plant (pictured) has been moved several times, looking for its favorite spot and this spot seems to be the one. It gets some early morning sun, with long afternoon shade and flowers for several weeks this time of year. The flowers form a soothing patch of purple color.

Easy and Beautiful Remedies

2012-06-09T18:42:00-04:00

Quick color solutions are easy. There are many different types of plants, both annual and perennial, that can be planted in June for immediate color and texture. Plants planted now can be full and in crazy bloom by July.

Annuals mixed with perennials can insure color all summer long. Annuals and perennials in containers, too, allow you to move color to different places in the garden for changing accents, adding interest, and setting the stage for every summer dinner party.

Hellebore Blooming

2012-04-16T21:37:06-04:00

Even with the very dry winter we've had, our Hellebore paid no attention. This one pictured was planted last year in full shade. Frost and freeze-resistant, this beautiful plant did not die back, nor did its exposed, leathery leaves suffer from cold or lack of water. The blooms began about a month ago and are continuing.

Flowers come in many colors and shapes, including green, deep purple, white, pink, lavender and multicolored. Some flowers resemble wild roses. The flower's sepals stay intact, holding the flower's shape for long periods, sometimes for months on end. Plants with cup-like flowers often hold water; wild song birds can often be seen taking a sip just after rain or watering.

Blue Geranium Blooming

2011-06-16T23:38:51-04:00

Geraniums are very popular plants, but here in the high desert most types you find in local nurseries and garden centers are grown as annuals or indoor plants. Not so with this hardy Blue Geranium. This interesting low to medium high growing ground cover is cold hardy, will grow outside even in bright sun and come back to make you happy with its interesting foliage and true blue flowers that bloom all summer. Deadhead for an extended bloom.

This plant works well as a medium high border plant in sun or dappled shade. You can also grow them in containers, or as pictured here, in full sun in a xeric rock garden setting. They are drought tolerant, enjoy average, well-drained soil.

The Blue Geranium is a Drycreek favorite, but the nursery also sometimes carries hardy geraniums in other colors, too, like pink, purple, magenta and white.

Pin Cushion Flower Blooming

2011-06-14T23:17:00-04:00

As late spring turns to warmer days, the Pin Cushion (Scabiosa) begins its prolific display of beautiful long stemmed flowers. When exactly depends upon the particular microclimate within which they grow, but this plant (pictured) loves its full morning sun and mid-afternoon shade. Just this week the blooms have begun to open. The blooms will keep coming for weeks and will respond well to deadheading, especially if the the long spent flower stems are cut away. You can also let some of the flower stems mature to collect the seeds, and as years go by, you can divide the root ball for propagation.

Give your Pin Cushion average well-drained soil and regular watering. It can handle semi-arid stretches, but it's best not to allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings.

Honeybees and butterflies love this plant. It works well for medium high borders and as a container plant. The cut flowers are great for floral arranging.

The Story Of Two Veronicas

2011-05-31T10:33:00-04:00

Speedwells are great plants for borders, rock gardens, planters and other areas with sun or partial shade where small ground covers are needed. Both of the plants pictured have similar growth patterns and texture, so if planted together, will fill a space more or less evenly, but with contrasting color. Both are rapid growing, compact floriferous perennials that take sun or part shade. Both bloom from late May to August into September. Flower stalks on each plant reach a a more or less even height between twelve and eighteen inches with a spread between eighteen and twenty-four inches. And both have deep green foliage setting off their spikes of long lasting flowers. One, the Royal Candles Veronica (Veronica spicata 'Glory') produces deep blue flowers. The other, Eveline Speedwell (Veronica longifolia 'Eveline') produces deep purple flowers. The combination is striking, complimentary and will produce color for your garden all summer long.

Easy to grow, simply give these Veronicas ordinary, well-drained soil that stays evenly moist. In winter, make sure the roots don't sit in water as root rot is probably the plant's greatest danger. Since our summer heat can be intense, it might be best if they receive a full dose of morning to early afternoon sun, then the rest of the day with dappled shade. This will help in keeping the roots moist. If the summer sun seems too intense, try giving the plant a modest layer of mulch. If you find your plants fainting, don't worry, just give them some water. They usually will perk back up in quick time. In the summer, deadheading will promote more flowers and a longer blooming season.

Low Growing Ground Covers For Sun And Shade

2011-05-22T12:53:28-04:00

Speedwell, also called Veronica, comes in many varieties. The one pictured stays very low to the ground, covering itself with a blanket of fairly long lasting tiny purple flowers in May. It's been blooming for a couple of weeks now. This patch receives an early dose of dappled morning sun, then a fair stretch of afternoon sun. Not all types of Speedwell are low growing. Some are tall with blue, pink or white flowers. Sometimes they show up in gardens and containers uninvited, but usually as a welcomed surprise. The low growing kinds can actually take a little foot traffic and thus are perfect for growing between pavers. They do well in rock gardens, too, but will enjoy a break from the intense afternoon summer sun.

Also in this photo is the lovely Sweet Woodruff which prefers much more shade than sun. This patch extends away from the sun, receiving only a short span of dappled morning light, then full shade for the rest of the day. Woodruff covers itself with a blanket of white flowers this time of year which lasts at least a couple weeks. But, even after the flowers fade, the plant's pleasant green leaves create a cool meadow feel for the rest of the summer.

Jupiter's Beard In Bloom

2011-05-20T14:21:02-04:00

Jupiter's Beard (Centranthus ruber), also called Red Valerian, is a carefree hardy perennial that blooms profusely this time of year. The beautiful magenta flowers are incredibly long lasting with tall stems suitable for cutting. In the garden, the flowers attract honey bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. In some parts of the world, this plant can be somewhat intrusive, but it's not much to worry about here in the high desert. Seedlings are easy to remove. Drought and heat tolerant, this is a good xeriscaping choice for dry areas that call for a field of color as Jupiter's Beard pretty much takes care of itself once established. It works well, too, as a single accent, as this photo suggests. It can also easily be grown in containers. If deadheaded, the plant will bloom pretty much the entire summer.

According to Wikipedia, both the roots and the leaves are edible.

New Growth On Local Manzanita

2011-05-16T17:08:45-04:00

There are over one hundred different Manzanita (Arctostaphylos) species. California seems to be the Manzanita capital of the world, as there are at least sixty-nine varieties native to the state. Several types have naturalized in Nevada, including Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Pointleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens), Pringle Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pringlei), Greenleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula), and Pinemat Manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis).

The distinguising features of most Manzanita are their beautiful soft evergreen leaves, their amazing slick red bark, and their light pink flower clusters in late winter, early spring. The plant is incredibly drought tolerant and comes in a variety of shapes for different uses. The Manzanita featured in the photo is a bush type and a bit of a challenge to grow in the lower elevations (but who doesn't enjoy a challenge?), but perhaps the favorite for local xeriscaping projects is the Kinnikinnick. Also called Bearberry, Kinnikinnick is a low growing, creeping evergreen ground cover with beautiful deep green leaves and whitish pink flowers in the early spring.

The USDA characterizes Kinnikinnick as long-lived and very cold hardy. The plant requires little maintenance once established, but demands well drained, normally dry, course, sandy soils. It will grow in full sun, but also grows well under the broken shade of conifer trees. It's a very special plant, indeed. Drycreek has a limited supply of Kinnikinnick this spring.

Aubrieta

2011-05-07T11:20:00-04:00

Aubrieta, sometimes spelled 'Aubrietta,' also called Rock Cress and Alyssum deltoideum, is a hardy evergreen perennial with soft green foliage. This plant is prolific in providing long lasting springtime color. As a low growing ground cover, Aubrieta brings alpine and woodland fantasies to life in the desert. In full sun to partial shade, butterflies regularly flit to and fro touching thick patches of red, scarlet, violet, white, purple and blue. Once the flowers fade, to everyone's delight, the plants can be cut back to stimulate a second mid-summer display. Cutting back after blooming also encourages mounding and a dense production of its interesting foliage.

Aubrieta is a good choice for sunny, well-drained areas in rock gardens, borders and raised planters. Once established, offer light, but regular watering. If yellowing of the leaves occurs, simply cut back a bit on water. Certainly, if you're looking for color, Aubrieta has much to offer. With names like purple cascade and royal red, Aubrieta will fill your empty spaces with lasting color.

Reading, Anticipating the Iris

2011-05-05T14:36:00-04:00

There are nearly three hundred species of Iris. Whether rhizome or bulb, this handsome, easy to grow hardy perennial signals the wonderful days of our typically short lived spring, the perfectly warm days of May and early June. Garden Party conversations speak of the incredible Sierra light articulated through word and image once by Ansel Adams and now by every handy digital camera. The party in the garden reflects that light, adding the experience of the sensational arrival of warmth. With grape vines and blueberry budding, the Iris unfolds and will do so now through the next few weeks. These and other awakening plants seen at dusk, dawn, and mid-day bind us to the feeling of Earth and life.

Yesterday and today are perfect spring. This week and hopefully the next four or so weeks. Perfect spring for planning the garden, for choosing suitable plants, and planting and watching the emerging garden and enjoying that. The earth under one's feet, the sky, the light, the warmth. The soil. The desire and ease of going outside again to be with the birds and the plants.

This group pictured has been living at this house for a decade. They were originally planted in a southern slope receiving full summer sun. They were fine there, but it was obvious they would better enjoy a western, northern or eastern exposure. So they were divided and replanted at the base of walls to the west and the north. Both groups take the pose each year at this time and make all the human onlookers happy.

But Iris in the process of blooming today, this spring, is the result of past planting and followed garden plans. If you have no Iris in your garden, be sure to plan to plant this coming fall. Think about your favorite colors because Iris means literally all colors. And here they come! The Iris tells us spring is here with all sorts of plants ready for planting right now, today. This week. Plants for blooming this summer, this year.

Heading to the nursery...

The Hostas Are Coming!

2011-04-26T10:58:00-04:00

Several varieties of green, gold, blue and variegated hostas do very well in shade to partial shade here in the high desert. Our bright skies offer more light than other locations, so hostas will tolerate more shade here. They do enjoy some morning sun, but their foliage can burn from the typical desert summer afternoon scorch. Properly placed, hostas offer a lush sense of coolness. Their wide leaves help produce that hideaway feeling of a retreat or desert oasis. There are some dwarf varieties you can place in areas where there is little space and the larger varieties work well as border plants, or as weed controlling ground covers. They also do well in containers.

This time of year, it's always exciting to discover your hosta's leaves beginning to emerge from the soil. The foliage is usually more interesting and eye catching than the flowers, although some of the flowers, too, are worthy of attention. In early spring, keep an eye on their emerging stems. If a late frost is predicted, you might want to cover their eyes with mulch.

Spring is a good time to divide and plant your hostas. They need regular watering, especially as they become established, but a moist medium is their preference, although they don't like to sit in soggy soil. Once established, hostas take very little care, except that they need regular water. A good organic fertilizer applied a few times during the growing season will make them happy and keep them healthy. Mulching the ground around their stems and under their leaves will help keep them cool and comfortable during the hottest part of the year. They usually flower in mid-summer. Once the flowers fade, you can cut the stem so the plant can dedicate its energy and nutrients to its leaves rather than to the production of seeds.

Hostas are a great addition to shady areas of the garden. Easy to grow, wonderful to behold, hostas are such a beloved garden plant that there is even an International Hosta Society dedicated to them.

A Ground Cover That Looks Right At Home

2011-04-24T11:07:16-04:00

Kinnikinick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), also called Pinemat Manzanita, Bearberry, Mealberry, Hog Cranberry and Sandberry is a beautiful low-growing evergreen shrub which grows well in sandy or rocky soil. In the spring, established plants send forth delicate light pink, bell-like flower clusters. The flowers and fruit attract local song birds.

This slow growing ground cover helps with erosion control on areas that have been disturbed by construction and clearing. It forms a beautiful dense, slowly spreading cover usually about a half foot high. A mature plant can cover as much as 10 feet in diameter. The leaves are a beautiful deep waxy green. The plant will cascade over rock walls and take some partial shade, especially in the hottest part of the day.

Drycreek recently received a shipment of Kinnikinick in one gallon containers which make it easier to transplant and establish. These plants are disease resistant and tend to flower and fruit well in our area. Once established, Kinnikinick requires very little maintenance. Feed it a good, balanced fertilizer in the spring for faster growth.

What's Better Than A Springtime Rain In The Desert?

2011-04-23T13:21:00-04:00

The Museum of Paleontology at the University of California confirms what we high desert dwellers already feel in our bones, especially in winter and early spring: the Great Basin desert is different than most deserts in that the Great Basin desert exists at a much higher altitude than the "hot and dry" deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The Great Basin is thus considered to be a semiarid, nearctic "cold desert" with limited snow and rainfall caused by the wall of mountains we call the Sierra Nevada. Each winter the Sierra gathers most of the moisture coming from the Pacific causing the famous "rain shadow" that keeps the eastern lee side of the mountains so much drier.

It seems this rain shadow makes all the difference. The plants, the animals and insects have evolved to match the lower levels of moisture held back by the high mountains. Even the people have adapted. You can see it in how gardeners here react to a spring rain. On the coastline of northern California, gardeners long for and rejoice at the arrival of sunny days in the spring, hoping that the sun will warm and dry the soggy ground enough to sprout the seeds and energize the stock. Gardeners here long for and rejoice at the arrival of clouds with drenching rain to soak the soil enough to sprout the seeds and give drip lines, watering cans and garden hoses a day off.

This week we have a forecast of chance of rain and this morning rain is actually making it to the ground. What a perfect time to turn the soil, scatter the wildflower seed mixes and initiate springtime planting. It's so rare that we find this chance to actually get our heads wet! Even if the rain is only symbolic, it still makes us feel good, psychologically replenished. Of course, we can't forget that we're in the desert, that our lives are intertwined with this ancient xeriscape. We know it's the subsequent dryness that we can actually rely upon. And as this photo of hardy alyssum shows, the rain we received overnight didn't really soak the ground.

The Yarrow Returns

2011-04-07T13:46:00-04:00

Yarrow is extremely easy to grow and will tolerate a variety of soil textures. Good for xeric landscaping, yarrow takes little water once established with a medium high tolerance to temporary drought conditions. All varieties like full sun and will withstand cold temperatures well below what is experienced in the basin and range environments. Soil conditions can vary, just be sure to provide a well drained space.

There are many types of yarrow, including dwarf types. The one pictured here produces yellow topped flowers on tall stems that are good for cutting and drying. Butterflies and honeybees love this plant. Other colors include white, pink, deep pink and crimson red. The foliage tends to be more fragrant than the flowers.

Yarrow works well as a ground cover in xeric landscaping and in rock gardens. The plants can be divided for propagation and will naturalize if helped along. They do very well in containers, too. Harvest the dried flower stems in late autumn for consulting the I Ching. You can leave the stems standing for catching the snow in deep winter.

Early Blooming and Carefree Phlox

2011-04-06T14:03:18-04:00

Local early spring flowers include Phlox. Phlox longifolia is a native Nevada wildflower which can be found growing in the high desert as well as the High Sierra.. One of over sixty species, this low growing ground cover adorns itself with an eye catching splash of springtime color. The small flowers come in several colors, including bright red, pure white, sky blue, hot pink and lavender. There are even variegated varieties. If you mix them in mass, this time of year will bring abundant color to your garden.

The plants are basically care free. Give them full sun and well drained soil and they will return year after year. In late spring, after the blooms have faded, you can cut back the foliage. This will promote a thicker patch of green for the summer. At this time, too, you can divide the plants for a wider distribution.

A good choice for xeric landscaping, Phlox does very well in rock gardens and on south facing slopes. This plant also attracts butterflies and honeybees.

Beautiful Veronica Speedwell

2011-03-31T13:58:04-04:00

Beloved by butterflies and hummingbirds, this beautiful little ground cover is one of the first perennial flowers to bloom in late winter and early spring, lasting into summer. They grow easily in full sun and even partial shade, although they tend to produce more blooms in full sun. Be sure to work the soil enough to insure good drainage. They would rather not sit in wet, soggy soil, especially all winter.

This particular Veronica (pictured) will cascade over rocks or the edge of containers, but there are many types and shapes of Speedwell, from low growing mats, to taller plants with spiked flowers good for cutting and arranging. Leaf textures and flower shape and color are quite diverse. They can be used in the garden for many types of accents. Try them as border plants, ground covers, and accent plants in rock gardens or along walkways. Plant them in mass to produce an intense eye catching stretch of color. You can also plant the low creeping "steppable" varieties between pavers.

In certain parts of the world, Speedwell can be invasive, but that's not a problem here in the high desert.

Incidentally, there's also a girl band named Veronica Speedwell.

Cold Hardy Perennial Sedum

2011-03-30T14:37:00-04:00

This beautiful purple-blue sedum lives in a ceramic pot on a west facing patio deck in downtown Reno. It dies back to the ground each year and begins to emerge again, usually in early March. The color of its leaves is only one of its attention grabbing attributes. As the growing season unfolds, it grows into a think cover, stems reaching up, out and over the rim of the container, cascading down, contrasting with the color and texture of everything around it.

Perennial and annual sedum varieties are popular here in the desert. They are amazingly easy to grow, easy to propagate and a good choice for rock gardens and xeric landscapes. Many have interesting flowers that add autumn color and winter texture. Coming in many colors, shapes and sizes, common names like Autumn Joy, Chocolate Ball, Dragon's Blood and Purple Emperor gives some suggestion as to how this succulent can contribute to your garden's Western aesthetic.

Each year, Drycreek offers a wide variety of perennial sedum.

Nature's Rock Gardens

2010-07-14T15:18:00-04:00

If you want to create a rock garden on your property, you need look no further for inspiration than the very terrain that surrounds us. The Sierra and the Great Basin Desert offer endless examples to emulate.

If your yard is sloped with rocks already in place, you're lucky, especially if the rocks are beautiful and well placed. If your yard is flat and rockless, you'll have to collect some rocks. Remember though, rocks are heavy and lifting them can hurt your back! If you want big rocks, you're best bet is to purchase them and have them delivered. (We have some beautiful large rocks on hand this season for this very purpose.)

Rock gardens can be, but they don't have to be sprawling. Even a small space in your garden can serve as an interest point for plants that drain well and do well against rocks that heat up from the summer sun. Place the stones in a pattern or design layout you like, using larger stones as a wall to hold the soil in place. Fill the space between and around the rocks with soil. Add smaller rocks on top of the soil, but reserve some really nice larger ones, too, to make the design look naturally erratic. You might also want to install a drip system.

For the plants, you can pick and choose which ones you want according to color and texture, but also according to what enjoys living in your new rocky microclimate. Choose plants that will grow so as to show off your rock garden, rather than hide it. We carry many plants, including miniture, low-growing ground covers, cacti, sedum and other hardy perennials in small containers that are perfect for rock gardens. We can also help with designs and installations.

Special on the Cut-Leaf Daisy

2010-04-23T12:55:00-04:00

Pictured in the lower forefront of the photograph is the Cut-leaf Daisy (Erigeron compositus) which opens to a beautiful, showy pale lavender flower that's pleasing to the eye and attractive to butterflies and honey bees. The plant grows from montane to alpine elevations throughout the American West. It requires an average soil and an average amount of water for our area, less being better than more, but regular watering is best. For a perennial ground cover plan, the Cut-leaf Daisy is low growing and will reseed itself from year to year, becoming dependable as a soft texture for rock gardens and other sunny spaces.

The upper flower in the photograph is the Phlox douglasii, a dependable perennial groundcover found in the same northwestern zones as the Cut-leaf Daisy. The Phlox grows in mats and, once established, takes little to no maintenance. Drought-tolerant and a good choice for xeric landscaping, this Phlox, like the Cut-leaf Daisy, adds color to rock gardens and open sunny places this time of year.

Both flowers are in bloom right now, and we have both in stock. For your gardening pleasure, we are offering a 20% discount on the Cut-leaf Daisy while supplies last.

Don't forget to come celebrate the Wind and Earth Day at the Washoe City nursery TODAY, April 23, between noon and 2 pm. Find out more.

The Amazing Phlox Subulata

2010-04-17T12:26:00-04:00

One of the amazing things about Creeping or Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata) is that it adapts easily to a wide variety of environmental conditions. It likes full sun, but will take partial shade. It enjoys a slightly moist soil with a neutral pH, but will grow quite happily in acidic soils that dry out almost completely in the afternoon sun. With its shallow roots, it will even adapt to sandy, rocky soils and the intense heat of desert summers.

Just as impressive in the cold, this plant is Zone 3 hardy, which means it can survive -40 temperatures! That's as cold as the highest mountains of the Sierra and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. In winter, this phlox will cozy down beneath a thick layer of snow to escape the burning effects of searing winds and storms. Then come Spring, it delights us with its beautiful carpet of flowers.

Phlox is in bloom right now! Spring is its time of visible presence when its five-petaled flowers cover the entire plant for a good two weeks or more. We carry several varieties in 4" pots in many shades: pink, red, lavender, blue, purple, and white. It's a great miniature, easily controlled semi-evergreen ground cover that grows pretty much where you want it to.

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Gardeners and landscapers use this Phlox for its beautiful display of flowers in the Spring. It's often planted in rock gardens, at the edge of rock walls, and as border accents.