Pacific Northwest Palm and Exotic Plant Society Sale / Phoenix Perennials

On Saturday I was able to attend the Pacific Northwest Palm and Exotic Plant Society (PNWPEPS) plant sale.  I had been debating on whether or not to go.  Of course every part of me wanted to see what wonderful things I could find.  On the other hand, there was that fear of losing all sense of control and spending way too much money.  With the sun shining the latter seamed highly probable.  That coupled with the fact it was being hosted at Phoenix Perennials - plant mecca - I knew there would be temptations.  But would that stop me, of course not!

From the moment I walked in and saw these needle palms I knew I was in for a treat! Needle palms are just not seen in these parts.

Now this is something I have been contemplating purchasing for quite some time.  I love the blue green colour of chamaerops humilis cerifera.  I can see it all potted up in a beautiful terra cotta... Remember my dreams of a mediterranean overhaul?!  Do you ever notice how when you've been thinking about buying something you somehow pre-condition yourself to spending the money?!

I found myself saying similar things of pretty much all the plants... "oh I want that!"

I was able to pass on the true tropicals like these coconut palms... But as for agave medio picta alba, that is a little harder. I didn't buy one and have been regretting it.  Next time.

It's nothing new that I have a thing for tree ferns.  I think its all in the drama.

These Dicksonia Antarctica had me stopped dead in my tracks... and only $30! I love plant society sales!

I was so taken away with all the many treasures I might purchase at the sale that I had to walk around Phoenix Perennials to ponder my plant lusts.  Naturally I found myself rummaging through these wonderful agaves.

I had never seen this before ... yucca gloriosa "lonsestar."  I usually have my phone with me so I can do some impromptu plant investigations but I forgot it.  So I passed on these with the adage "next time."

This ... wow! What's better than one trachycarpus? Two! They actually came in clumps of three which was aesthetically much more pleasing.  Phoenix Perennials gained "legit" status in my books for this one.

I think they were speaking to me here with the hesperaloe, chamaerops, and agave medio picta alba!!!  It's like something from my happiest dreams.  I even love the pots!!!

I really wish I could say I purchased this.... It would be right at home with my new agave bovicornuta.

Wow. I think thats all I can say ...

Speaking of drama....

I can't say enough about the wonderful people I met at the plant sale.  I have followed the PNWPEPS for a few years now but have never been apart of it.  This year I took the plunge! I can truly say I look forward to getting to know such knowledgable and passionate people.  That and I somehow feel much more legitimized in my palm craziness.

So what did I buy at the sale?! You'd be surprised to hear that I was incredibly disciplined.  I managed to go home with just one of the Dicksonia Antarctica.  Here it is all planted up.

This spot was actually the home of my other tree fern that was moved down by the bananas.  This one is much bigger and can be better appreciated here.

I was given a tip from a society member that tree ferns love regular feedings of fish fertilizer!  Apparently dicksonia antarctica can put on several inches of trunk when given regular feedings of fish fertilizer throughout the growing season.  I got some epically nasty smelling bio fish fertilizer.  So bring on that fishy stank!!!

Van Dusen Botanical Garden Plant Sale

As some of you may know, I have been eagerly anticipating the Van Dusen Botanical Garden Plant Sale. Around Vancouver, it is for sure one of THE sales of the year.  Truth be told I think I let my anticipation get the best of me.  But why not? Last year I scored on an amazing agave for just a few dollars and beautiful succulents amongst other treasures.  Apparently, there was plenty of anticipation to go around ... here is the line forming before the sale began.

I found this area very interesting... the plant check.  It's fun to guess at people's characters by their plant selections. hmm... what do your plant choices say about you?

I spent a majority of my time in one small area of the sale, the "tropical's" hut.  Yes, tropicals got a hut! Here you can see some camelia sinensis, kiwi vines, bamboo, citrus...

My friend Becca got this epic trachycarpus wagnerianus.  Until a few weeks ago, I was never able to find these for sale.  Now, I just keep running into them!  

But truth be told, I was devastated by the lack of agaves.  Only two... at least by the time I made it over to the table.

This kind of put me into a funk.  Everything else seemed somewhat tainted.  That coupled with the fact that the cactus and succulent booth had no cactus!! outrageous!

But their were still some great treasures around.  Like this Grevillea Victoriae....

And a lone Poncirus Trifoliata "flying dragon."  I really should have bought this but I was holding out for I don't know what.  Well I do know, I was debating whether of not to buy one of the nice trachycarpus wagnerianus...

While pondering what plant purchases were in order, I decided to take a stroll around some of the gardens.  It was a surprisingly purple kind of day.  I think the Van Dusen people have an affinity to purple. 

And for all those who seem to think trachycarpus "just don't belong here," I beg to differ.  It seems to fit right in perfectly.  I almost feel a rant coming on, but I will resist.  Rather I will highlight the fact that trachycarpus fortunei are classically used in english gardens!

This area of the garden really spoke to me!  The South American section!!!

Seeing this bottlebrush only confirmed my need for one... thanks Van Dusen!

Across the way I spotted some nice yucca showing the tell tale signs of a wet winter ... spots!

After making our way back to the checkout we had to carry our plants a couple blocks to where we parked... I think the real reason I didn't go plant overboard.... (next year I'm bringing a wagon!)

You can see Becca's palm, but what else?!  I bought a Leccino Olive Tree!!! Thats right.  It was somewhat of a mad dash for this plant in the beginning of the sale.

Some of the smaller treasures...

"another one?"

"Another one?" That's one of the most common questions I am asked... rather its more of a rhetorical statement.  But that really doesn't seem to bother me.  Any yes, I do in fact have another new palm for the garden.  It all started two weeks ago when I visited Phoenix Perennials and spotted some small trachycarpus wagnerianus in the production area.  As absurd as this sounds, there are no trachycarpus wagnerianus in my garden!  Up here, its actually hard to get your hands on one of these palms outside of palm society members and specialty nurseries.  So I had to remedy the situation when I visited them this last weekend.  Besides which, I had a trailing variety of rosemary that took a beating last winter and I was unimpressed with its performance, so out it went and in went a small trachycarpus wagnerianus. 

If anyone in the Metro Van area is interested these are a great! They are a slower grower than the regular fortunei but can take the weight of snow and winds much better without damaging the fronds. Here are some nice Trachycarpus Wagnerianus growing in the Victoria BC garden of Jeff St. Gelais.

http://waggieseeds.webs.com/ Check out his website for other great pictures! He also sells trachycarpus wagnerianus seeds if anyone is interested in starting their very own wagnerianus grove!