Achillea, commonly known as yarrow, is named for Achilles, the great warrior of Troy. Rich in history and lore, yarrow is highly variable and occurs throughout the northern hemisphere. We focus on a number of west coast selections. They are reliable, long blooming, and drought tolerant with excellent wildlife value.
Yarrow is a vigorous spreading plant with finely divided aromatic fern-like foliage that ranges from deep emerald green through sage green to grey. The selections we grow offer white through pink flowers produced in dense flat-topped clusters.
Easy to grow perennials for full sun that tolerate a wide range of soil types and watering regimes. Useful in the mixed border or meadow planting. Can be used as a lawn substitute because of their ability to tolerate light foot traffic and mowing. The attractive flowers of these willing growers appeal to an array of insects, both pollinators and predatory, bees, butterflies and lady bugs. They also make great cut flowers.
We have a good supply of cultivars and seed grown yarrow in four inch pots. Four of the cultivars we are offering are our own selections, maintained through propagating by division. We also collect seed from coastal and interior sites. Check out the details on the varieties below to find the perfect yarrow or yarrows for your garden.
Achillea millefolium 'Calistoga'
Achillea millefolium 'Island Pink'
Achillea millefolium ‘King Range’
Achillea millefolium 'Pt. Cabrillo'
Achillea millefolium 'Shell Beach'
Achillea millefolium (coastal and inland seed collections)
Woodlanders
Our shade plant availability is coming along nicely. Highlights include the lacy ground cover, Pacific bleeding heart, available in four inch pots. Blooming now are gallon containers of western columbines with their nodding spurred blossoms. The woodland buttercup adds sparkle with it's cheerful yellow flowers over a long period (available in four inch pots). Full gallons of the spreading false Solomon’s seal and a nice selection of native ferns are ready to go. We have western sword, giant chain, southern maidenhair and ‘Sarah Lyman’ Polpodium in one gallon pots. Useful native grasses such as California fescue and Pacific reed grass are available in four inch and one gallon sizes.
Consider the Lilies
We are very pleased to have a good supply of some native lilies this year. A beautiful crop of the local rare Pitkin lily are now available in one gallon containers as well as four inch pots. Also available is the towering giant leopard lily in one gallon and four inch pots. We are working on a crop of Lilium humboldtii thanks to seed provided by keen plantsman, Ben Verduin. They should be available next year but we are releasing a small number of 6 inch liners for those who do not want to wait.
Deciduous Shrubs
Gardeners often focus on evergreen shrubs and avoid deciduous shrubs for their leafless period. This time of year, one is reminded of the importance of including deciduous shrubs in our gardens. Leafing out in the spring, deciduous shrubs add interesting foliage colors and textures to the garden.
We offer a number of shrubs that have gorgeous golden, purple or variegated foliage that light up the landscape with their fresh emerging foliage. Pleasing flowers and fruits will follow. Evergreens provide structure and backbone, deciduous shrubs create change, interest and excitement.
Some favorites in stock now:
Ninebarks
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Nugget’ offers glowing golden foliage while Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diablo’ has striking purple foliage Both have clusters of white flowers and interesting reddish seed heads that follow.
Physocarpus capitatus We carry an upright and low growing form of our native species with bright green foliage, white flowers and reddish seed heads.
Mock Orange
Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’ emerges with gorgeous golden foliage while Philadelphus coronarius ‘Variegatus’ bring soft green and creamy white leaves. All our Philadephus varieties will be covered in abundant fragrant white flowers in late spring.
We carry the popular ‘Belle Etoile’ as well as western native species that sport green foliage and profuse white fragrant flowers.
Elderberries
Besides the native blue and red elderberries we also grow European species that offer interesting foliage features. Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’ and ‘Black Lace’ with purple-black leaves and the useful Sambucus nigra ‘Marginata’ with green and yellow variegated leaves light up a dull space. Elderberries grow fast, flower heavily and are followed by berries relished by birds.
Hummingbird Favorites
The pink flowering currant is another worthy deciduous shrub. The dangling racemes of pink flowers have been blooming over the last month. Besides their beauty, the flowers are an excellent early nectar source for hummingbirds. We have Ribes sanguineum “Heart’s Delight’, Phil’s beautiful dark pink selection from Marin County, and the robust 'Tranquillon Ridge’, a Native Sons Nursery selection from Santa Barbara County with appealing long racemes of pink blossoms.
The state of the nursery
Though we still have many plants coming along that are not quite grown in yet, there are lots of special plants ready now. More than can be talked about here, we hope you will stop by and check us out. Here is the link to our current inventory.
Now open 7 days a week
Monday-Friday 9-5
Saturdays and Sundays 10-4.