Soquel Nursery Growers
September 2006 Newsletter
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Closed Saturdays
Starting September 1st we will be closed on Saturdays until next spring.
It’s Cyclamen Time
We have three varieties of Cyclamen available now and through the fall…unless they get snatched up! Sierra is a
classic variety in solid red, pink, pink with darker “eye”, white or purple. Sterling is a miniature with marbled leaves.
Fancy Flowers are frilled, fringed, or striped in various shades of pink, red and white.  
Sierra Mix
Sterling Wine
Fancy Flower Mix
Penstemon
Where would we be without Penstemon gloxiniodes hybrids?  They are untroubled by snails or deer, thrive without
fertilizer, and bloom profusely in the sunny low-water garden. We have seven varieties in 1 and 5 gallon cans:
Appleblossom
Bev Jensen
Firebird
Garnet
Holly's White
Midnight
Wine Kissed
P. campanulatus
P. mexicale
We have two other species of Penstemon in l gallon cans:
Penstemon campanulatus: Pale lilac-blue and white. 2’ x 2’.
Penstemon mexicale:  Bright rose- red. 2’x 2’.
California Native Mimulus


Two species of Mimulus are back after a long absence to brighten your autumnal
garden. Mimulus (aka Diplacus) auranticus or Sticky Monkeyflower is one of
the most familiar and popular native wild flowers. You can see its little orangey-
yellow faces peeping out from the grass and chaparral along trails and on cliffs.
Mimulus puniceus or Red Monkeyflower is native to Southern California
chaparral. Both species get to be about 2’ x 2’. They can be planted in well-
drained soil in  full sun or light shade. They tend to get a bit leggy but you can
prune them to keep them dense. They are very drought tolerant once established.
Portulacaria afra variegata

We are growing Portulacaria afra variegata or
Variegated Elephant’s Food for the first time. This nifty
succulent has fat little round shiny  leaves and dark red
stems. The leaves are pale green with cream edges.  If you
protect it from frost and hungry elephants, it will mound
up and sprawl along the ground to  4’ x 8’.  It also makes
a  great easy-care bonsai in pots or in the ground. It is
very adaptable, but for best appearance give it sandy soil,
full  or part sun, and regular water.
Leonotis leonurus

Even people who say they don’t like orange flowers make an exception for Leonotis leonurus. 6’ high towers
of fuzzy claw-shaped flowers arranged in whorls, like architecture from another planet, or  feather
headdresses, or…Lion’s Tails? Whatever they look like to you, you can enjoy these fabulous flowers now and
through the fall. We have them in 1 and 5 gallon sizes. The vivid orange flowers and dark green leaves look
especially striking combined with Pennisetum ‘rubrum’ and Coprosma ‘Coppershine’.
Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’

“OOO, I just love that incredible COLOR! I’ve never seen a
flower that color before! I want a velvet dress that color. I
would feel like a Baroness!” That’s what I said when I saw
Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby.’ It is a most rare and luscious
deep velvety red. The deep green needle-like foliage makes a
sparkling contrast with the jewel-toned  flowers. Plant it in
full sun and give it medium water. It will grow to about 18” x
2’.  Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ is blooming now and on through
the  fall.  If you shear it after blooming it will bloom again.
Masses of Grasses
We have a marvelous selection of 5-gallon grasses. Grasses add a lovely kinetic element to your
landscape, waving and shining in the wind. We have many colors and textures to enhance any design.
Here are some fun combinations to try:
For a warm-color garden: Left to right:
Stipa arundinacea (New Zealand Wind Grass) Carex buchananii, (Brown Sedge) Correa ‘Carmine Bells’,
Coprosma ‘Rainbow Surprise’.  
Iochroma & Brugmansia

The sprawling shrub Iochroma cyaneum has clusters of exotic purple tubular flowers. If you are planning a
jungly South American style garden, be sure to include one along with its cousin, Brugmansia. Both shrubs
enjoy rich soil and bright filtered light in a sheltered spot. We have Iochroma in 1 and 5 gallons. Four
varieties of Brugmansia are coming along nicely in 5 gallons: white Betty Marshall, orange Charles
Grimaldi, Frosty Pink, and the variegated Snowbank with peach flowers.
 
Asclepias currassavica

Rejoice if you see brightly striped yellow, black and white caterpillars on your Asclepias. Have the pixies
lost their socks? No, these are the larvae of the Monarch Butterfly. We have Milkweed or Blood Flower in
‘Silky Deep Red’ and ‘Silky Gold’. The flowers and foliage are very attractive even without caterpillars.
Plant some Achillea or Yarrow for the adult butterflies to sip from and bask on. We have several colors to
choose from. Achillea ‘Salmon Beauty’ looks especially nice with Asclepias.  
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Soquel Nursery Growers 3645 North Main Street Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 475-3533 (800) 552-0802 (831) 475-1608 fax
For a cool-color garden: Left to right:
Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue Oat Grass), Chondropetalum tectorum (Thatching Reed) Myrica californica,
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Gem’ and/or ‘Smokey’.