Strelitzia reginae Mandela's Gold

Fausto loves to research different plants to bring into the nursery. Some come in ready to sell while others we have to grow and wait. The wait is over on a beautiful plant which we grew from seed. A Yellow Bird of Paradise, the seeds were brought over from South Africa and the first crop is just beginning to bloom. While Fausto was out taking a photo of the bloom one of our nursery bees, and you know we have many, landed on the plant.


Strelitzia 'Mandela's Gold' marks the first time a yellow Bird of Paradise will grow true from seed. Usually they will cross pollinated by the more common orange Bird of Paradise. At the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, in South Africa, the curator had access to 7 yellow Bird of Paradise plants and spent the next 20+ years hand-pollinating them with each other to increase the stock. Their first yellow strelitzia introduced to the trade was released under the name 'Kirstenbosch Gold'. In 1996, they were given permission to re-name it in honor of Nelson Mandela.

'Mandela's Gold' has 3 yellow sepals and 3 deep purple petals that sit on top as the crest of the bird's head. 'Mandela's Gold' grows to about 4-6' and needs warm, tropical like conditions, even indoors.

Truly a plant for the serious collector of the "unusual". Stock is limited bring in this page to receive yours for 15% off regular price. One discount per family please. Valid 11/11/09 thru 11/13/09 yes 3 days only special pricing.

Trick or Treat

Witches, goblins, princesses, and more will be walking the streets this Saturday, drive slowly. What a fun time Halloween is, a day when you can dress up and pretend to be someone or something else. Come in dressed in your costume and see Claudia for a FREE gardening treat.

Our fall clearance sale ends once Halloween is over, you still have 4 more days of great savings and as we hoped the fountain inventory is shrinking daily. With all fountains in stock at 50% off they are moving quickly.

Fall temperatures bring new plants to the nursery for your garden. China has a nice selection of mums, pansies, violas, and kales. Enrique has been feeding and pruning the roses, many are setting new buds and blooming he has included them in the clearance sale. Juan has the trees cleaned and fed, just waiting to help load them in your car or for the taller ones see Fernando to schedule Richard to deliver them to you. Our other Richard is ever so happy to walk the nursery with you and select just the right plant for your problem area, he works Sundays and Mondays. And if you want to capture some of the rain we'll get this winter you certainly want to talk with Tiger.

Now if you are still confused about how to get the maximum out of your garden with the water restrictions, or you are ready to redo all or part of your garden please come in and see Fausto. Fausto has been designing gardens for the last 20+ years, I'm always amazed at what he can come up with just by looking at a plot of dirt.

Everyone at Mission Hills Nursery works here because we enjoy what we do and we want to help you. If you ever have a gardening need we hope you turn to us first, we'll be 100 years old next year and we're still "growing".

Container Seminar

Are you envious of the containers you see planted at your friend's home? Do you have limited gardening space? Or has it become harder to get down on your hands and knees to dig in the soil? You will then want to come to Mission Hills Nursery on Saturday November 7, 2009 for a seminar and step by step how to plant container gardens.

Kristi and China will demonstrate how to pull together a few different containers for Fall. You will then be able to ask them to shop with you for a look that will make your friends jealous.

Seminar is FREE and begins at 11:30 am. If you have a container at home you really like bring it to the seminar and plant it at the nursery after you've gotten some tips. This way you can play with the look before you actually plant it. Your plant, soil, and container purchases will be discounted 20%.
Sign up at the nursery by 11/05/09 and you will be entered into a drawing to take home one of the containers Kristi and China put together.

Kate's Sale

I was reading the San Diego Floral Associations 100th year book and there were a few ads which our founder, Kate Session had run back in the early 1900's. One which caught my attention was her Fall Clearance Sale and I decided to follow her.

Beginning Friday October 2nd and running through Saturday October 31st all plant material in stock 5 gallon and larger will be discounted 25%. Just as Kate had done on the shrubs and trees she had in stock.

Sale price is limited to stock on hand, does not apply to California Natives grown by Moosa Creek Nursery. And all sales are FINAL, no returns or exchanges.

Fall is the time to plant and we are looking forward to seeing you in the nursery.

Pumpkins

Our first load of Pumpkins was delivered on Thursday, from small to x-large. Pick your favorites for carving and extra ones to decorate with.

I think the Fairytale variety make beautiful fall displays for your porch or entry way.












Just keep your pumpkins dry and they should last you through Thanksgiving.

Fall Vegetables

I know it still feels like summer yet we are coming upon the time to begin planting our fall vegetable gardens. And how spoiled are we in San Diego to be able to plant tomatoes which will produce during the winter months?

We have begun receiving our winter varieties along with lettuces and kales. Over the next couple of weeks our vegetable area will grow with choices.

Do you know how to prepare your beds for fall/winter vegetables? Or when to harvest your rewards? If not sure or if you want to maybe learn more then join us on Saturday September 26th from 4:00 - 6:00 for a wine tasting and vegetable seminar. The actual talk on vegetable gardening will begin around 4:45. Cost is just $5.00 per person, sign up at the nursery.

Birdbaths

Birds enjoy eating their meals (insects), in your garden along with napping in your trees. Yet not many of us provide them with a place to bath. Yet it can be something quite simple as a terra cotta saucer
to elaborate stone or glazed birdbaths. Just remember not too deep, and they need a ledge to perch on. Keep it clean and your garden birds will sing in their showers.


Visit us at Mission Hills Nursery and we can fill your bird's bathing requests.