It's Spring so Lets Go to Annies !

 Most years I take my spring road trip in April and my first Annies run happens in March. It kind of amuses me to see how my routine was disrupted just because I took the road trip in March. My Annies list was getting long and my garden had an abundance of empty spots-not a bad thing when you have a plant-shop habit. Today I packed up the camera and the plant list and headed south for my first Annies outing of 2018. It was way too sunny for photos but I took them anyway.

 It was a flowery day - the Digitalis was  in great form. I love Foxgloves and grew them for years until I had to make some space choices that bumped them off the team. There are so many interesting hybrids now -including the Digiplexis cultivars that created such a buzz when they were first introduced, that I have started to gradually bring them back into the fold.

 Lady Hillingdon , the tea rose that is among the small covey of roses that I would consider adding to my garden was in full peak bloom. I love the elegant buds and purpley stems.

 This Puya was in dramatic full bloom .

 The Flower Floozie is looking quite high fashion in this springs' ensemble. Notice how she is coordinated with the Puya. Her clothing consultant did a fine job.

 The edible section has expanded significantly over the last couple of years. Had I been in the market for veg I could have found just about anything I wanted. I did pick up a couple African Blue Basil which I have not been able to find in my area so far this year.

 The bloom on the Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' was insane. This pic does not really convey it's size. 7 feet ?

Echiums were blooming too.

 A nice speciman of Acacia c. 'Cousin Itt ' a plant that met a sad fate in my garden. Since I've only killed it once I have at least two more chances. Need to figure out the right spot.

Going to Annies always reminds me of my love of flowers -which is what prompted me to garden in the first place, so many years ago. It's tempting to want to replicate the abundance of the flowery borders in Annies display gardens, but I have to be realistic about the climate difference . It's hard when confronted with this glorious color. Annies is in Richmond which has no frost to speak of and much cooler summer temperatures than I do here in the Napa Valley. Careful selection and appropriate siting has been learned behavior. But I will on occasion push the climate envelope. The victories are all the better.

 I kept to my budget (almost ) and bought one flat only. It helps to use the Radio Flyer instead of the double-decker nursery cart. Once the radio Flyer it's full it's time to check out and go home.Planting commences tomorrow.