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E-Newsletter: October 2007

The Phoenix Perennials E-Newsletter
October 2007

Hello from Phoenix Perennials!

Well. It hasn't been a great fall yet for planting. I should clarify that. The plants would love to have been planted with the mild temperatures and abundant soil moisture. It's just that none of us have been too keen to toil away in the rain and the cold. If we get some nice weather through October think about doing some fall gardening (if you haven't caught onto my seasonal mantra of "fall is a great time to plant" it's outlined in the last e-newsletter). And even if the weather is not that warm we have a fantastic fall sale so if it's cold outside at least the savings will warm your heart! ;-) Mark your calendars!

In this newsletter we announce the winners of our first ever September Sweepstakes, remind you about our last workshop of the season, and highlight our selection of bulbs in our regular installment of Fabulous at Phoenix.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA) at their Charity Shopping Weekend on September 15th and 16th. You helped to raise $365.68 which will be donated to VOKRA to help fund their programs.

Cheers, Gary and the Phoenicians

In this Issue

1. The Fantastic Fall Sale
2. September Sweepstakes Winners!
3. Winter Container Workshop almost Full
4. Fabulous at Phoenix

1.

The Fantastic Fall Sale
Mark your Calendars!

Please remember that this is a generous sale. We can't make any exceptions on the dates or details listed above. During the 2 for 1 weekend if you do not wish to take your second plant for free you may purchase your single plant at 25% off the normal retail price.

2.

September Sweepstakes
Winners !

Thank you everyone for participating in our first ever September Sweepstakes! Through the month of September every $20 you spent at the nursery got you an entry ballot to win one of three fabulous prizes.

Here are the winners.
(They have already been contacted by phone just in case you have the same first name and last initial.)

1st Prize: A $300 Shopping Spree in 2008
The winner is Marianne M.!
Marianne will choose one day next spring when she will have to spend all of her prize. Apparently her garden is full so this is a good time to befriend anyone you know with that first name and last initial.

2nd Prize: A Garden Arch
The winner is Ann M.

3rd Prize: A Basket of Unique Bulbs
The winner is Patricia W.

Congratulations to our winners!
Thank you to everyone who participated.

3.

Workshop at the Nursery
Winter Containers
Plant up a container to create winter interest
Instructor: Cliff Thorbes
Saturday October 6th, two workshops starting at 10am and 2pm | $20 |

This is a fun hands-on workshop for gardeners of all levels who are interested in learning how to successfully create gorgeous perennial containers that will provide months of winter interest and an antidote against the dark, cold days of the year. After some practical and design instruction each participant will plant up and take home their own container. Please bring your own large pot (minimum 12-14 inches in diametre) with enough space for at least 3 to 5 one gallon perennials. A large, black, seven gallon plastic pot can be provided at an additional cost of $6. Please order your pot when you book your workshop.

There are still some spaces left but we're getting close to full.

~~~

Spaces are limited. Please call (604-270-4133) or visit the nursery to book your space. Payment is required when booking. Each workshop requires a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 15-25 depending on the workshop. Workshop participants will receive a 15% discount on any purchases they wish to make the day of their workshop.

Meet your Instructor

Cliff Thorbes is a certified horticulturalist, artist and designer. He is passionate about container garden design and integrating original art into the garden to create a unique and personal statement. Cliff returns this year to reprise his popular seminars on design and on the secrets to creating containers that will captivate the senses.

4.

Fabulous at Phoenix
Gary's Picks of New, Notable and Luscious Plants at the Phoenix Candy Store

In this installment I highlight some of the unique bulbs available now at the nursery.

Hippeastrum papilio -- Amaryllis -- This incredible species amaryllis is, in its own way, more spectacular than all the big colourful hybrids. The crisp petals are white with a hint of mint green and liberally brushed with rich burgundy streaks. Since this is a species it is a little harder to bring into bloom. Grow in a pot in full sun outside from April to October with liberal amounts of fertilizer. Bring inside in late October, cut off all the leaves and let the pot completely dry out. Leave it in a cool dark place until you see new growth starting then place on a bright windowsill and slowing increase watering. These directions should be followed for all amaryllis put for papillio, in particular. Please note: Papilio should be arriving at the nursery late in the week after Thanksgiving. Please call first to confirm their arrival.

Hippeatrum cultivars -- Amaryllis -- Ok. Ok. Papilio (above) is fantastic but these other unique cultivars aren't too shabby either! Great as a potted plant to brighten the winter window sill. Please note: These bulbs should be arriving at the nursery late in the week after Thanksgiving. Please call first to confirm their arrival.

'Misty' and 'Furore'

'Black Benfica' and 'Charisma'

'Blossom Peacock'

Tulipa 'Little Beauty' -- Tulip -- This beautiful species tulip was a hot item for us last year and sold out quickly. The beautiful deep pink flowers are offset with striking white and blue centres. Being a species tulip it is also perennial and will come back year after year.

Tulipa species and mini botanicals -- Tulipa -- Botanical tulips are what tulips used to look like and still look like in the wild. They are smaller in bulb size, height and flower size than your standard spring tulips but they are just as colourful and perhaps a little bit more sophisticated looking more like a sparkling jewel than a big brash boisterous flower. This year we offer 20 exciting species and cultivars including 'Little Beauty' above and the five pictured below!

'Tinka'

T. tarda and 'Little Princess'

T. praestans 'Unicum' and 'Peppermint Stick'

Erythronium 'White Beauty' -- Fawn Lily -- This easy to grow cultivar of species californicum hails from, as you might have guessed, California. Elegant and dainty clusters of pure white lily-like flowers centred with yellow arise over glossy, green-mottled foliage in early spring. Plant in a woodland setting or shade border with moisture retentive, fertile soil. Erythroniums will go dormant before summer so plant them near late-emerging perennials like hostas and toadlilies that will take over the show for the rest of the season. We also have 'Pagoda' in yellow and 'Purple King' in lavender purple.

Tulipa hybrids -- Tulip -- Sometimes you just need a big boisterous tulip. Here is a selection of large and unique new hybrid tulips sure to brighten up your spring garden.

'Antoinette' is a bouquet tulip that offers colours that change gradually through four different stages for a dynamic spring effect.

'Rai' is an exotic and unique beauty that resembles colorful, tropical birds. The deep violet, frilled, ruffled and flared petals are splashed with a beautifully contrasting light yellowish-green accent.

'Eyecatcher' is a viridflora type tulip.

Iris histrioides 'Katherine Hodgkin' -- Reticulata Iris -- This beautiful little iris blooms in February and heralds the end of winter with glowing blue, white and yellow flowers whose quality cannot be captured in a photograph. A few bulbs were left over from last fall so we potted them up. The next spring we came upon them in the greenhouse and gasped out loud. Then we all stood around and marvelled. Truly a special little bulbous iris.

Fritillaria imperialis -- Crown Imperial -- Crown Imperials are among the most striking and stately of spring flowering bulbs. The stems grow two to three feet high. The lower foot of the stem is covered in glossy green leaves above which extends a naked stem that, at its apex, is crowned with a tuft of leafy bracts and large bell-shaped pendulous flowers in firey shades of yellow, orange or red.

'Striped Beauty' with warm yellow flowers striped with orange.

'Prolifera' and 'William Rex'

Enjoy!

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So many of our new visitors come to us through word of mouth. If you like what we're doing at Phoenix Perennials, please consider telling your gardening friends about us.

If you have any other questions please contact us at phoenixperennials@shaw.ca.

Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.
One of the largest and most exciting selections of perennials in the Lower Mainland.
Specializing in distinct perennials, fragrant shrubs, hardy subtropicals and the botanically intriguing.

3380 No. 6 Road, Richmond (Between Bridgeport and Cambie)
604-270-4133
www.phoenixperennials.com

Please visit our web page for information on the nursery, driving directions and a map.
We are near the south end of the Knight Street Bridge and very easy to get to from all of the surrounding municipalities and beyond.

Seven Days a Week 10am-5pm
March 2nd, 2007 through October 31st, 2007

Copyright Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd. 2007

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