The opening-hour frenzy of plant sales is a delight not to be missed.
Not only is the selection of natives better than at any local nursery, but you will be surrounded by plant enthusiasts who can tell you everything you need to know about each tough, delicate, beautiful plant.
Be at Hidden Villa by 10 am on October 15 to get first pick of the shrubs and perennials featured at the fall plant sale of the Santa Clara Valley chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS).
The plants have been selected for garden worthiness, said Jean Struthers, who heads the Plant Propagation committee of the local CNPS chapter and has been growing natives at her Los Altos Hills home for 30 years.
“I just started planting them,” Struthers said, and then found out how to take care of them.
Drought-tolerant natives need little care after the first year or two. Struthers advised gardeners new to nat ives to dig a big hole, water deeply, add mulch in most cases, and water intermittently the first year.
Patience is important for some plants. I've seen some natives show little above-ground growth for the first two or three years, as they build extensive roots that will enable them to weather long dry spells, and then take off.
Faster-growing natives will fill their allotted space in a season or two, enabling you to share the cuttings.
To prepare for the sale, make a note of where you can fit more plants in. How big is the space? Is the location full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun every day)? Is it well-drained, or does water tend to collect there? Do you want plants that can eventually fend for themselves, or will you be integrating them into a landscape that gets regular water?
“Where the plants come from is very important,” Struthers said. The plant sale will have local natives as well as plants from Southern California, many drought-tolerant species, “lots of plants new to people,” and lots of bunchgrasses, which are ornamental as well as great for erosion control, she said.
A plant list will be available on October 15. Standouts include several varieties of ceanothus and manzanitas, mimulus, redbuds, and silver bush lupines, as well as deerproof sages and Pacific Coast hybrid irises.
“If you don't know anything, attach yourself to one of the volunteers and ask questions,” said Ray Deutsch, also a CNPS nursery volunteer. About 8 to 10 volunteers will be wandering around who can give advice, Struthers said. Books will also be available .
“Bring a box strong enough to carry one-gallon pots,” Deutsch said.
A final tip? “Get there early, the good ones go fast,” Struthers said.
Hidden Villa Ranch, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, is two miles west of the I-280 Moody/El Monte Road exit. Cash or check only. The sale ends at 4 pm.
© 2005 Tanya Kucak