Drycreek Blog

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.

Aphids Appearing

2011-06-13T10:00:00-04:00

Aphids are tiny, soft bodied insects that suck plant juices from leaves, stems and flowers. They quickly form colonies and if left unchecked, can do quite a bit of damage to your plants. You might be tempted to buy pesticide poisons to fight your fights, but such chemicals are almost always completely nondiscriminatory when it comes to what types of insects they kill. Who wants to kill honeybees? Who wants to kill Lady Beetles (pictured)? Who wants to kill Praying Mantids? Who wants to risk such chemicals leaching into the ground water to kill earthworms and ultimately to contaminate the water supply?

If you find aphids collecting on your flower plant stems, rub them off with your fingers or spray your plants with a strong enough jet of water to knock the aphids from your plants. And encourage beneficial predator insects into your garden (by not using insecticides) such as Lady Beetles. A single Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens) will eat thousands of aphids during its life time!

Considerate gardeners also use home made sprays made with garlic and a tiny bit of Castile soap. Some make tea from other plants known to thwart aphids, such as yarrow, stinging nettle and tomato leaves. There are many solutions that don't involve deadly chemicals. Try this link for more organic suggestions.

Penstemon Blooming

2011-06-12T17:58:40-04:00

It seems that after the biggest rain day in June in over ninety years, the penstemon are reacting in mass with abundant flowers.

There are almost three hundred species of penstemon (Plantaginaceae and/or Scrophulariaceae family). Also called beardtongue, penstemon vary greatly, with many shapes and sizes with flowers in a wide range of colors: blue, magenta, orange, pink, purple, red, white and even yellow. Foliage is varied, too, some with broad bright green leaves, others with delicate gray green, still others with almost blue leaves. Some types are tall, up to almost two feet; others are quite small, reaching only six or eight inches in height. Honeybees and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.

Nevada is a penstemon paradise. Several types are native to the area and thrive on dry air and dry soil. They are perfect for xeric landscaping plans as well as sun drenched rock and container gardens. Many types, including European hybrids flourish here with little care and little watering. Give them full sun and well drained average soil and they'll be on their way to making June a bright and colorful month year after year.

Traditionally, Native American cultures used penstemon as a medicinal plant. The plant is beloved by many. There is even a Penstemon Society for true penstemon enthusiasts.

Penstemon is one of Drycreek's favorite and most popular perennials. Each year you can find many different types available.

Hedgehog Cactus Blooming

2011-06-11T20:49:00-04:00

These last few days of perfect springtime weather has the Hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus) excited for blooms. This little gem (pictured) lives in a very sandy, well-drained south facing rock garden in downtown Reno. It's been living here for almost a decade. It usually blooms each year around the first of June, but this year it's a about a week and a half late. You can guess why.

Drycreek has a great selection of cold hardy cacti this year. These little hedgehogs usually go very quickly. They require no maintenance after becoming established and each spring the flowers are definitely something to look forward to. Hedgehog cactus plants are great for displaying in containers, and because they are slow growers, you can start out with a small sized pot. Just make sure they get full sun and a well-draining sandy soil. Most hedgehog cactus plants tend to stay very compact with their stems growing no more than a foot high. If you're lucky enough to live a long life with this cactus as your companion, you will get to see your little cactus develop into a fully mature mound consisting of many stems and many amazing flowers from year to year.

For potting cacti, it's easy to create a good soil match without having to purchase expensive mixes from the big box stores. All you need is some regular potting soil and some pumice. Mix the two with a ratio of about one third pumice to two thirds potting soil. Doing it yourself can save a lot of money, especially if growing cacti becomes a hobby.

To say the least, the Hedgehog cactus is a spectacular addition to any xeric landscaping plan.

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.

Lots of Heirloom Summer Vegetables In Stock

2011-05-30T20:50:00-04:00

We woke up this morning to frost on the roofs in downtown Reno. At 6:30 the temperature read 32 degrees at the Reno / Sparks Convention Center. Higher up the mountain there were even more severe conditions. New snow on Peavine makes it look like early April rather than late May. But the afternoon proved wonderful. People are eager to get their plants all in a row and ready for the inevitable warmth coming in June.

Drycreek came to the rescue for many gardeners this week with their supply of reusable protective covers -- they still have a good supply and it's always a good idea to have protection at hand. And for those that missed the opportunity to add cover, Drycreek's green house was full this morning with all sorts of heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and many other healthy and happy vegetables, kept safe from the low temperatures last night.

Everyone is waiting for that moment -- any day now -- when "all danger of frost is past" and it's safe to put everything in the ground for this year's growing season. Is it tomorrow? It's only one more day till June; three weeks till Summer.

Irish Saxifrage Blooms Emerging

2011-05-29T11:14:00-04:00

If you have a partly shady spot on a ledge where you would like to place a show plant, or a partly shady crevice in your rock garden that is crying out for something unique and interesting, Irish Saxifrage (Saxifraga x andrewsii) is a great choice. This hardy evergreen forms offshoots that grow into a cluster, eventually spreading into a nice sized mount. Great, too, for containers you can move around to where the plant receives just the right amount of easy sun and dappled shade. In other areas where cloud covered days are many, Irish Saxifrage can take more sun, but here in the desert, they seem to prefer more shade.

The plant forms clusters of saw toothed leaves that are fun to touch. The leaves fit into a variety of garden themes, from desert to alpine. In May and June, Saxifrage sends up tall, crazy looking reddish stems with tiny clusters of symmetrical white flowers with pink speckles. The stems reach to almost a foot in height and as the plant matures, multiply into a nice spray of delicate white flowers that sway in the breeze.

You can propagate this variety by dividing the root ball. If the flowers actually produce seed (some will not), you can let them dry on the plant, then collect for experimental sprouting. Growing from seed is a long process, but if you give it a try, scatter on a fluffy sprouting medium without much cover and keep moist.

Give your Saxifrage rich, well-drained soil. Keep it nicely moist, especially throughout the hottest part of the summer. Be sure to water them regularly while they establish themselves.

There are many different types of Saxifraga and many more gardeners who love them. So many, in fact, that there's even a Saxifraga Society. Drycreek often has several varieties of Saxifraga in stock. The one pictured arrived this spring.

Cold Holiday Weekend With More Snow On The Way

2011-05-28T11:30:04-04:00

This morning the National Weather Service is predicting the possibility of snow this holiday weekend down to the valley level with temperatures to the freezing level. The low temperatures, they say, will allow up to an inch of snow in the Truckee Meadows. The western mountains are in a Winter Weather Advisory. With gusty winds, snow and a cold night, conditions could definitely do some damage to delicate annuals like tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.

If you've already planted summer vegetables, it's probably a good idea to devise some protection for the weekend. Drycreek still has in stock Gardener's Season Starter Early Season Plant Protectors. The plant protectors safeguard plants like tomato starts, eggplant, squash, pepper starts, cucumbers, melons, herbs and other annuals, shielding them from damage. They carry Wall of Water protectors, too, that will protect plants down to 16 degrees Fahrenheit.

This time of year everyone is anxious to plant their summer garden plants, gambling to win more time in our typically short growing season, but as the saying goes, the snow isn't off Peavine yet, and this weekend we just might see more rather than less.

Jacob's Ladder Blooms Emerging

2011-05-27T11:20:00-04:00

Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) is a perfect plant for fully shaded to partially shaded areas of the garden. The plant begins to develop tall flower stems in early spring -- at up to three feet high -- then blooms late May into June. Extend the blooming season by deadheading.

It's imperative that the right spot for growing Jacob's Ladder be found. It seems the variegated Polemonium need even more shade, but definitely, excessive sun and dry soil will produce negative results. This particular plant has been growing in a mostly shaded corner protected from the sun by an eastern and southern facing fence. A few feet to the west is the wall of the house, so the plant receives very little direct sunlight. It does receive a bit of late afternoon sun, but only for a short while. Certainly this plant thrives in this location.

Remember, well-drained soil is very important for this plant. And, as is typical for many shade loving plants, it enjoys a somewhat consistently moist, but not soggy, soil, although, if it doesn't bake in the sun, it will tolerate some drought. The flowers attract honeybees which is always nice since honeybees need all the help they can get these days.

This spring Drycreek has both deep green and variegated varieties of Polemonium.

Yucca Flower Stalks Emerging

2011-05-26T10:43:00-04:00

This Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora), a member of the Agave Family, has been living in downtown Reno for five or six years. It commands a warm and sunny south facing spot, which it loves. Each spring it sends up several flower stalks that rise up above the leaves by at least two feet. Sometimes there are as many as ten flower stalks; other years less than half that amount.

Red Yucca is a hardy, drought tolerant, carefree evergreen perennial that's perfect for desert themed xeric landscapes and large rock gardens. The plant grows somewhat slowly, and will eventually become shrub-like, reaching a spread of up to five or six feet wide and three feet high.

In well drained soil, give your yucca a good occasional watering to encourage blooms. If your plant receives regular blasts of Nevada's drying winds, it will appreciate a drip line or weekly watering during the summer. The long lasting bright pink flowers are a major attraction to hummingbirds and the tall flower stalks make it easy to see when the hummingbirds make their rounds. Honeybees are also a frequent visitor. The flowers themselves last most of the summer, developing pods of flat black seeds that can be sprouted.

As the single plant spreads out, suckers will appear around the base that can be separated and planted elsewhere. You can propagate from seeds, too, although it will be several years before you'll be seeing flower stalks emerging.

Drycreek carries several varieties of yucca.

Growing Cabbage And Other Greens

2011-05-25T12:16:00-04:00

In spring and autumn Drycreek offers six packs of vegetable greens for cool weather gardening. Several varieties of cabbage and lettuce are available, plus mustard greens, kale, collard greens and others. These foods are easy to grow and good for you. The plants don't mind the late cool weather snaps, and in fact, thrive on them. Just give them good soil, lots of sun and plenty of water and you'll be eating some of nature's super foods grown from your own garden.

This hardy purple cabbage along with kale and collard greens was planted last fall and spent much of the winter under a layer of snow. The collards and kale have been recently harvested, cooked and deliciously eaten. The cabbage remains and is now beginning to form heads. This spring, another set of cabbage has been planted to replace these as they mature. The spring planted cabbage will form large, firm heads, hopefully by late June, as they did last year.

It's exciting to grow your own food. Plus, not only is cabbage beautiful, but it contains substantial amounts of vitamin B2, vitamin C, glutamine, and amino acid, all of which are essential for human health. Cabbage is also a great diet food since it is very low in calories and can be prepared in a variety of interesting ways. You can eat it raw or cook it, ferment it, can it, freeze it. Even the outer leaves and stems can be used as an ingredient in soup stocks. Try making sauerkraut and coleslaw. Your friends and neighbors will be amazed. More than once someone will say, "You grew that in the desert?"

Note: Be sure to prepare the soil. Make it rich and well-drained with lots of organic material. If you can, grow your garden vegetables in a raised bed for better protection from typical garden insects. They can also be grown in containers. Just make sure the pots are large enough to allow for proper root growth.

Clematis Blooms Emerging

2011-05-24T13:39:00-04:00

Each year Drycreek provides a nice selection of hardy Clematis suited to our climate and soil, including several varieties sold in small pots. This allows Clematis enthusiasts to collect several different types while saving on the overall cost of their collection.

Certain preparations for your plants will go a long way in helping them thrive. The soil should be rich, evenly moist and well drained. If you're dealing with clay-like soil, be sure to enrich it with peat and compost. The site should be sun drenched for most of the day, although some broken shade during the hottest part of the day will help keep the flowers from bleaching and fading. Probably the most important trick is to keep the soil itself cool, moist and shaded while the stems and leaves find the sun. If choosing a south facing location, it is imperative that the base of the plant be shaded, especially during the hottest days of summer.

Whether in the ground or in containers, if you want your Clematis to climb, you'll have to help them. A regular sized trellis is probably too thick for their tiny, fragile stems. Gardeners often attach plastic netting to fences and arbors to provide support for climbing. Be innovative. This year Drycreek has some wonderful free-standing ornamental Clematis cages that do the job beautifully.

In the winter here where temperatures can reach well below freezing, it helps to add an inch or two of mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots. Try not to cultivate around the base of the plant as its root system does not like to be disturbed. Be careful, too, with their fragile stems. If your clematis blooms from new growth, hard early spring pruning down to about eight inches from the ground will stimulate growth. If your plant blooms from old growth, light pruning is best. If you are unsure of what type of clematis you have, talk to John or Nancy at the nursery. They will help with the details.

Columbine Blooms Emerging

2011-05-23T12:49:00-04:00

The Columbine plant (Aquilegia), also called wild columbine, wild honeysuckle, red-bells, rock-lily and jack-in-trousers is a cold hardy perennial that can be found growing in the wild growing just about anywhere, but especially in fields and meadows from Colorado's Rocky Mountains to the east coast. Very easy to grow, Columbine needs well drained soil and does best with morning sun and partial to full shade in the afternoons. Typically, the plant will grow to about twenty-four inches high with flowers forming on tall thin spikes. With a long blooming season -- from mid May through July -- the flowers are quite showy, coming in all sorts of colors, often in spectacular combination, including white, pink, yellow, deep purple, red and lavender. The leaves, too, are very attractive, producing a delicate, almost fern-like atmosphere in shady places. There are some dwarf varieties, too, like the one pictured here, with leaves staying close to the ground under multiple flower spikes reaching only about half a foot into the air. All varieties are quite adorable.

Easy to grow, Columbine returns from year to year for about five seasons, but also spreads by self-seeding. Plants that sprout from seeds bloom the second year. They will self-hybridize as well. In some areas, the plant is evergreen or semi-evergreen, but here, they die back in the winter only to return the next spring. They do well in containers, too. Butterflies, honeybees and hummingbirds love this plant. In fact, according to the USDA, Columbine is an important nectar source for hummingbirds.

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.

Tree Damage From Recent Weather

2011-05-21T12:16:00-04:00

This time of year is hit or miss with new growth on local hardwood trees. The late winter storms that swept over the Sierra this past week caused die-back on some trees like the sycamore pictured. The young leaves are now crisp and brown and crumbling. But the damage isn't long-term. This particular tree was also hit last year by the sudden frost in early June, but it completely re-foliated itself by mid-summer.

New growth on ash, maple, mulberry, oak and other trees is certainly vulnerable, especially if the trees are exposed to freezing winds, or in low-lying areas where freezing air settles. But there's usually no need to panic. If a tree is burned by frost and freezing temperatures, usually its dormant buds will come to the rescue. So don't attempt to remove the damaged leaves. They will fall to the ground by themselves and unless the tree is especially weak or diseased, new leaves will appear by summer. The tree might even come back with a vengeance, developing more leaves than usual to compensate for the shock.

Last year's late frost did reduce fruit tree and grape production in certain parts of the valley. Hopefully the timing of this past event won't be a repeat of last year.

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.

Lilac In Bloom

2011-05-19T14:48:00-04:00

Lilac (Syringa) is an upright deciduous shrub belonging to the Olive family (Oleaceae) and is grown for their beautiful, showy, highly fragrant flowers that bloom this time of year. Lilac is not indigenous to North America, but does very well in many parts of the United States, including the Truckee Meadows. This slow to medium growing shrub will reach twelve to fifteen feet at maturity. It loves full sun, but will take partial shade. The more sun, though, the better chance of a festival of blooms in May. Make sure the soil drains well.

To get more flowers, Lilac enthusiasts recommend snipping off the spent flower heads immediately after the flowers fade. This practice keeps the plant from producing seeds and promotes new flower growth for the next blooming season. The next year's buds develop just after the present blooms fade, so don't wait too long if you plan to prune, else you might inadvertently destroy next year's crop of flowers. Also avoid cutting old wood unless it has become completely unproductive as it takes about three years before flowers form on newer stems and shoots. If you need to shape the plant, try pruning old growth in yearly stages. This way the plant will bloom each year as its new shape takes form. Avoid severe pruning. If all old wood is removed, the plant will most likely survive; new shoots will emerge, but there won't be flowers for two or three years.

There are over twenty Lilac species with many more hybrids and cultivars. Flower colors include white, blue, magenta, pink, purple, violet, and of course, lilac.

Snow In The Middle of May

2011-05-18T17:31:00-04:00

The Sierra received some new snow this past weekend, as much as half a foot in the higher locations. The snow level from the storm was almost to the 2000 foot level with temperatures low enough to stick for awhile, at least on the western side of the Sierra crest. It was beautiful while falling and it covered the dirty snow banks along the roads and freeways, but people were not happy. The Tahoe leg of the Amgen Tour of California had to be canceled due to wet and icy road conditions and gardeners had to once again delay planting delicate annual flower and vegetable starts as well as protect what plants were already in the ground.

Earlier this month it was looking good. Before this late storm, snow on Peavine was all but gone. But it's back with more cool nights in the forecast, daytime temperatures barely to reach 70, and a chance of rain throughout this next week.

Here's the forecast for downtown Reno from the National Weather Service: Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then isolated showers between 8pm and 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind. Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Sunday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Monday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Monday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

With gardeners longing for warmer weather, at least the moisture is welcome.

Oak Catkins Are Abundant This Spring

2011-05-17T17:08:00-04:00

One of the most significant oaks in Nevada is the Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii). This slow growing shrub/tree is often seen growing in scattered fashion amongst the slopes and valleys of the Great Basin and Range. The species has an extensive range throughout Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. If left to themselves, Gambel Oak grow slowly in irregular shapes in thick groups, reaching a height of about fifteen feet in twenty years. In the wild, thickets expand by acorn seeds and root sprouts. The trees are long lived, easy to care for and remain small for many years. They enjoy regular, coarse soil, little fertilizer and regular light watering. The gracefully shaped leaves turn golden-brown to reddish-brown in autumn.

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.

Desert Globemallow In Bloom

2011-05-15T00:00:00-04:00

The Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) is a native wildflower in Nevada, Arizona, California and Utah. This rapid growing perennial subshrub has longlasting orange flowers on tall stems. The plant is heat, drought and even fire tolerant. It will grow well in a variety of soil types, including poor sandy and poor rocky.

Even though the Desert Globemallow isn't normally considered to be a typical nursery stock plant, leave it to Drycreek Garden Company to locate a small supply for those interested in xeriscaping with native and naturalized plants. They are great, also, for rock wildflower gardens. The nursery usually offers two or three varieties so gardeners have a choice between orange, pink or white flowers. The springtime blooming season is fairly long. If given space, the plant will grow into a nice round mound with an abundance of flower covered stems in the spring. This plant can be quite spectacular after a moist winter, so keep your eyes peeled.

Claret Cup Hedge Hog Cactus In Bloom

2011-05-14T11:09:00-04:00

One of the greatest experiences for desert tourists is to see native and naturalized cactus in bloom. Many cacti species produce flowers that rival even orchids in color and beauty. This Claret Cup Hedge Hog cactus has about a dozen flowers this year. They began opening this week. The Claret Cup flowers are surprisingly long lasting, staying open and crisp looking for close to two weeks. The cactus in the foreground of the photo is a different type of Hedge Hog and will have long trumpet-like pink flowers, probably in early June. The tiny hedge hog in the lower left corner of the photo will have bright pink trumpets in late June.

For many gardeners, especially those migrating to the desert from more verdant regions, the discovery of cactus growing is an exciting addition to the hobby. But, newcomers are often surprised and gravely disappointed to find that most cacti purchased from most big box gardening centers are not hardy for this area. For many hot house cacti, not only is the winter too severe, but even the summer sun can do major damage. Not so with hardy varieties. Drycreek is the best nursery in northern Nevada for finding cactus plants that can grow in our climate. All their cacti are winter hardy and the nursery has a fine selection this spring.

Bitterbrush In Bloom

2011-05-13T13:15:00-04:00

Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), also known as Antelope Bitterbrush and Buckbrush, joins Big Sage and Rabbitbrush as an essential species for the Great Basin desert. Many animals, both native and introduced, depend upon Bitterbrush for survival. The plant's range is vast, extending beyond Nevada to Arizona, California, Colorado Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and even to northern British Columbia. As with many blooming perennials this year, the local plants seem to have enjoyed this past winter's moisture. Many plants are completely loaded with flowers.

Drycreek tries to carry bitterbrush for those interested in xeriscaping with native and naturalized plants. The quantities are usually small and sell out fast. The nursery also carries a plant with similar features, the Cliff Rose. Both plants are very attractive, take very little care, accept poor sandy soil and are drought tolerant. They love full sun and will grow into a full sized shrub over a few seasons, typically three or four feet high. Bitterbrush is a good choice for controlling erosion on land that's been disturbed from recent construction.

Beautiful, Versatile Photinia

2011-05-12T13:11:30-04:00

In certain parts of the country, Photinia can be somewhat invasive, but not here. Easily controlled, Photinia works well in full sun for shaping into dense hedges for marking property lines, privacy screens, and to a lesser degree, wind breaks. Left to itself, without regular pruning, the plant will grow tall and wide, filling spaces with a more wild, free growing stance. This is a fast growing shrub, easily expanding a foot or more per season. They produce a more condensed growth in full sun. Regular pruning will help the shrub remain compact. In partial shade the branches will stretch out looking for sun.

Some gardeners grow Photinia in containers, whether as a bush or a small, single stemmed tree. The plant enjoys warmth, but also likes to be watered regularly. If over watered, though, they can develop leaf spots. This year the Photinia growing in the Truckee Meadows are vibrant, healthy with abundant new growth.

The Hills Are Alive

2011-05-11T12:27:00-04:00

Word is, there have been some major trail improvements taking place in the Mt. Rose Wilderness lately. A special effort was launched in October, 2010, to add some twenty miles of new or improved trails. It's exciting because the Mt. Rose Wilderness is a true botanical wonder. Hopefully, good trails giving access will encourage respect. The effort includes attempts to curtail and even put to an end some of the more destructive traditions we humans have had with these mountains. Call it desert abuse. Mountain abuse. It's been around since at least the early twentieth century. Historically, the outskirts in all directions from downtown Reno were treated as dumping and shooting grounds. It has taken time for generational scars upon the landscape to fade. New scars appear. Older traditions of horse riding give way to pickups and Jeeps, and ever bigger machines. But there are, even in the Mt. Rose Wilderness, places simply too rugged for machines. Thus, traditions of humans and horses prevailed. Now the trail follows Hunter Creek past the falls all the way to Hunter Lake. The trailhead parking and traditional wilderness sign bring a new sense of US pride to the area, inciting feelings of love and protection toward one of the last genuine wild places so close to home. Mt. Rose Wilderness is Reno's backyard wild place that promises to renew the world, a place of superb beauty and rugged wild west splendor. From the Web site:

"The new trail system will be accessible through the Mt. Rose Summit Trailhead, U.S. Forest Service's Thomas Creek and White's Creek Trailheads, and Washoe County's Galena Creek Regional Park, Lower White's Creek and Lower Thomas Creek Trailheads. Ultimately, the trail system will be accessible from other Washoe County Trailheads, including the new Ballardini Trailhead, which is scheduled for completion in 2011."

Beginning And Continuing In May

2011-05-10T14:08:00-04:00

It's time to plant and what a wonderful time it is. It's such a beautiful day for gardening. The morning light coming from the window wakes us to cool morning springtime air. It's such a draw to the out of doors. Hot coffee. Sierra morning light. Plants waiting to be planted. You can feel the day's warmth beginning. The unstable weather is exciting. May is that way.

These containers are on a backyard deck that receives excellent sun throughout the growing season. The larger pots are tomato and eggplant sized capacity for over twenty plants. The smaller containers in the background are pepper sized, enough for sixteen different type peppers. Tomatoes and peppers combine for a traditional recipe, tending enough plants to fulfill the famous Barbarella's Hot Pepper Salsa (12 out of fourteen peppers picked randomly, fresh off the plants. That combined with cilantro and any number of some twenty different tomato types, enough to temper the peppers and achieve the perfect hotness).

With new soil comes the question of water. Watering routines begin to be revived in May. Late autumn and over winter, watering had ceased, but now the warm winds are blowing and it's time to take an assessment of your garden's water needs. The air can turn hot and dry in May, so check the soil. It might be time to start a regulated watering schedule.

Garden vegetables to plant in May include beans, beets, brocolli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, collards, kale, leeks, lettuce, peas, potatoes, radishes, onions. Most herbs can be potted in May as well. Oh and don't forget to process and rededicate compost production.

Each year Drycreek offers great vegetables, and to elaborate on the list above, Drycreek supplies Reno backyard gardens with delicious Wala Wala Onion sets. There are at least fifty little onions in each set, ready to grow. One or two sets will insure great tasting onions all summer long, into autumn and winter. It's a great feeling to be able to offer home grown, freshly picked onions to the visiting summer chef. Definitely, growing your own food conjures up a feeling of being in place, where plants you tend give back nourishment, besides pure beauty, bringing us closer to ourselves where the place of the self becomes the garden.

Seeds in Full Development, The Maple Leaves Take Form

2011-05-09T10:39:00-04:00

Two columnar maples are new to the yard. They're young and slim and just now about 12 feet high. Adorable. Here come the leaves after the seeds have formed.

Wikihow.com claims that maple seeds are edible. They are in fact a treat whether cooked, raw or dried. These more desirable small seeds from young trees are more delicate, sweeter than larger seeds from older, more mature trees. The seeds need to be extracted from their helicopter shells. Taste them raw to see if they tend toward bitterness. If so, more preparation is needed.

It's difficult to have a favorite tree, but columnar maples are topping the list for trees that conserve land space. The small footprint, the narrow profile, the beautiful bark, beautiful leaves, spectacular color display in autumn -- all is combined into this amazing tree, the maple. Columnar or not, living amongst the maples is just a fun way to live.

In the late afternoon, lounging after the sun has left the side yard, it's like fishing, sitting peacefully in the shade, comfortable, quite, watching, waiting, wondering with thoughts to and from no place in particular, gazing at the two new columnar maple trees. New to Reno, these trees, so far braving the Reno weather, digging in quite well, their first spring in this final location. What better life than leisure to watch the trees grow?

Sierra Rain Shadow Saves Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-08T12:03:00-04:00

Earlier this week the Weather Service predicted snow up to six inches tonight to fall in Lassen Park and along the western side of the Sierra backbone. This morning the report is predicting less snow, but low temperatures in Reno to drop to the freezing point. We gardeners on the eastern side might get the rain shadow advantage this time coming. We'll be lucky to get simply cool weather and if we're really really Nevada lucky, maybe we'll escape freezing temperatures with some rain late tonight into Monday. So far, the valley has weathered perfectly, the flowering fruit trees are blooming heavy as the month of May would have us expect. And today looks like a beautiful day. Happy Mother's Day!

This photo is a recent screen capture of the CALTRANS off-range Soda Springs traffic cam. In the higher elevations, at Lake level, Truckee level, but more so in the higher trails, lakes and passes, we can expect snow to be on the ground melting well into June, perhaps even to the 4th of July. Years of big snow fall help natural hydrological systems replenish and restart. From lakes to streams to systems of moisture circulation and conservation in trees and animals, good water years refreshes the mountains with a system-wide scrub.

But it might get cold. Tonight is one of those May frost watch days. If you have fragile, susceptible plants in the ground, it might do them good to cover or otherwise protect them for late Sunday night. Drycreek still has some Wall of Water sets and other types of protection available. It might be one of those better safe than sorry situations we have coming up.