Hello Friends –

Summer is a quiet time in the California landscape. A few native plants are showing off, but mostly the hills are asleep beneath the sun and fog. Not so in the garden: Salvias, milkweeds and echevarias are in full bloom, bees browse, agaves push fat new leaves, and on cool overcast mornings we’re embracing our coffee mugs, pruning, grooming, and planting.

Aloe 'Pink Blush'

Here's a new gem for you succulent lovers – a small, clumping aloe with glowing pink foliage and orange flowers. A winner for in-ground use in milder parts of the Bay Area, it's a perfect container plant as well.

Simply gorgeous

Aloe 'Pink Blush' in an elegant high-fire pot

Brugmansia

Brugmansia, often called Angel’s Trumpet, is certainly a plant that will stop you in your tracks. With often enormous pendulous flowers, sometimes dozens of them hanging over head on an older, larger plant, the effect is magical. And although not all are scented, some have a truly intoxicating aroma. Flowers come in shades of white, yellow, pink and peach. We currently have a nice selection of Brugmansia available in a 1 gallon size for just $10.95.

Golden Brugmasia in full bloom.

Elegant white Brugmansia

Myers Asparagus – Love It or Hate It?

Some plants inspire a passionate response, either positive or negative. Myers asparagus is one of them. Some people just can't stand this plant, but I love it. This plant is a real survivor, so maybe its ability to hang on in dank dusty corners has sullied its reputation. So many of the very most drought-tolerant and neglect-proof plants are silvery that I often find myself searching for a bright green plant that can fend for itself. Myers asparagus keeps its cheery bright green color year-round in practically any condition. It has a fantastic, wild, sculptural look that lends itself well to all sorts of garden uses.

Myers asparagus thrives with echeverias in a shaded courtyard.

Strong form, lush green – and drought tolerant, too!

Handmade Pots

We just love these simple pots with bright, saturated colors and a handcrafted rustic appeal. They bring so much life and color into a garden that flowers become almost optional.

We've rarely seen a juniper look so style-y.

A vireya rhododendron feels at home with these handmade pots.

Wall Bubble Vase

We've carried these wall bubble vases for years and they continue to be one of our favorites. We offer them online, for those of you who are far away. They are perfect for bringing in just a stem or two from the garden, and we also use them as terrariums.

Here we've used the vases for a few blooms from a Thunbergia gregorii
and a branch of an Azara dentata.

We've just added something new to our web shop – our Wall Bubble Aeriums. It's true, "Aerium" is not a real word. We made it up to describe our terra-free terrariums. Fitting, no? Our Wall Bubble Aeriums showcase a tiny universe of air plants, lichens, and mosses. Each and every Aerium is different, a tiny unique garden all its own. The garden includes tillandsias (air plants) and a collection of little living things collected from the forest.

Our new Wall Bubble Aeriums look great in little groups.

Join Us on Facebook

It's just like neighbors chatting about their gardens over the fence, but digitally. Please join us.

Come and see us soon. Don't let the chill keep you away. Get your sweater on, and get out there into your garden!

– Flora and everyone at Flora Grubb Gardens