Soquel Nursery Growers
February 2008 Newsletter
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Soquel Nursery Growers 3645 North Main Street Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 475-3533 (800) 552-0802 (831) 475-1608 fax
Valentine Gardening

We always have a delightful assortment of  pink, white and red  “Flowers of  Mass Cuteness”
in February  to help you SPREAD THE LOVE!
Dicentra spectabilis or Bleeding Hearts:


This dainty woodland flower looks like a string
of exotic jewels or lingerie. In our climate,
they are best treated as a seasonal decoration
or garden experiment. They want well-drained
acidic soil, colder winters and no snails. We
have two varieties, pink and white.
Blushing Maiden
C.L. Wyatt
Devon Glow
Fancy Knickers
Dianthus,
aka Garden Pinks or Carnations,  
are starting to bloom now. We have several
varieties chosen for their fragrance, flower size
and abundant blooms.   We have dwarf mounding
varieties and taller ones that make wonderful cut
flowers with their sweet clove fragrance. They
have gray leaves and flowers in various shades of
pink, salmon, white and red. Dianthus enjoy fast
draining, slightly alkaline soil in sun or light
shade. They are a classic romantic flower that
makes a lovely Valentine’s Day gift. One variety,
Spangled Star, actually has a red and white
heart on each petal!  Awww!
Little Bobby
 Rosy Cheeks
Miss Pinky
 War Bonnet
Noverna Mix
 Parfait
 Rubys Tuesday
Spangled Star
Saxifraga decipens or Rockfoil forms a tidy mound of intriguingly serrated foliage  6”  high and 1’ across
starred with five-petaled red or white flowers. Great for pots or  rock gardens. Give good drainage and
medium water. Sun or part shade.
Parahebe perfoliata

Parahebe has no common name, and it certainly is
an uncommon shrub. It looks like a very young Silver
Dollar Eucalyptus. The blue grey leaves are fused
to the stem in opposite pairs. It will grow to 3’ x 3’
with a sprawling, open habit. Plant in sun or part
shade with regular water. The small violet flowers
resemble those of mints or salvias.  Parahebe makes
a wonderful contrast with the finely textured shrub
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Gem’ and the deep green,
grasslike Juncus patens.
Arctotis

Arctotis or African Daisies are great right now and through the summer. Our crops got frosty and pounded
with rain, and responded with lots of flowers. This is an easy-care landscaping plant for full sun.
It has grey leaves and a low, spreading habit.  We currently have:
Burgundy
Golden Sunburst
Orange
Purple
Flamingo
Aquilegia alpina
 Aquilegia atrata
 Aquilegia 'Barlow Blue'
 Aquilegia 'Barlow Rose'
Aquilegia caerulea
 'Clementine Salmon'
 Aquilegia flabellata white
 Aquilegia'Irish Elegance'
Aquilegia 'Origami Mix'
 Aquilegia Tower Light Blue
 Aquilegia Tower Light Pink
 Aquilegia 'Winky Blue'
Winky Double Red & White
 Aquilegia Winky Purple
 Aquilegia 'Winky Red'
 Aquilegia 'Winky Rose'
Aquilegias

Our Columbines are coming along nicely. We have selected these varieties for their excellent performance in
our climate: attractive foliage, disease resistance and abundant bloom. All Aquilegias like full sun to light
shade, regular water and good drainage. The Tower colors are sold as a mix.
NEW!  No photo yet: Barlow Black, Barlow Bordeaux (wine-red), Aquilegia oxysepala (purple and yellow),
and Winky Double Blue & White.
Coprosma

This genus of evergreen shrubs has such shiny leaves they appear to be varnished or dipped in oil. One of
their common names is Mirror Plant. All varieties do well in sunny seacoast conditions, preferring a little
light shade inland. They tolerate a wide variety of soils and need little water. Enjoy their natural form or
shear into regular shapes. Combine with our fine selection of bronze, gold and green grasses for a rich
and satisfying effect. All are about 4’x 4’.
Carnival (aka Evening Glow)
 Coppershine
 Pink Splendor
Rainbow Surprise (in winter)
 Rainbow Surprise (in summer)
 Roys Red