Magnolias in Bloom at San Francisco Botanical Garden

I've been so busy with the promotion of my new book, California Month-by-Month Gardening, that I'm afraid I let the entire month of January slip by without posting. Have you been making the most of the dry, warm weather we've been having? Have you been gardening?

I have managed to get some time in the garden, but there's still plenty to do. However, I'm hoping that in the next few weeks I'll be able to carve out some time to get to the San Francisco Botanical Garden to enjoy the magnolias in bloom. The Garden, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, has nearly 100 magnolias including 51 species and 33 cultivars. You can pick up a free Magnolia Walk map so you don't miss any of the spectacular trees, or you can go for a docent-led tour. Either way, here are some samples of what you'll see:

Magnolia campbellii. Photo by Bob Gunderson.

Magnolia doltsopa. Photo by James Gaither.

Magnolia campbellii 'Darjeeling'. Photo by Larry Beckerman.

Magnolia campbellii. Photo by Brian Fitzgerald.

 

Magnolia campbellii. Photo by Richard Shewmaker.

 

Magnolia doltsopa. Photo by James Gaither.

Magnolia dawsoniana. Photo by Saxon Holt.

Magnolia doltsopa. Photo by Travis Lange.

Magnolia stellata. Photo by Toto Hartono.

Magnolia campbellii. Photo by Tom Karlo.

The Bay Area's Largest Plant Sale

Photo Credit: James Gaither

The San Francisco Botanical Garden is holding its huge annual plant sale tomorrow and it seems like they will have something for everyone, or at least something for everyone's garden. Over 20,000 plants will be for sale representing over 2500 varieties, including some hard-to-find special treats. Here are some of the highlights you can expect to find:

• Several kinds of South African restios, including the very hard to germinate Cannomois virgata, a lovely, tall, reed-like plant.
• A gorgeous selection of tropical vireya rhododendrons. SFBG is one of only a few nurseries that grow them.
• Many rare hellebores, including Helleborus foetidus, a hard to find winter blooming evergreen.
• 250 kinds of native plants, including Matilija poppies, native irises, up to 20 kinds of Ceanothus (wild lilac), and more.
• Unusual perennial vegetable starts from the Andes, including oca and yacón.
• Lots of stunning, flowering shrubs, including species of Leucadendron, whose cut flowers can cost anywhere from $7-10 each.

The sale takes place tomorrow, Saturday, May 4 from 10am-2pm at the SF County Fair Building at San Francisco Botanical Garden, located in Golden Gate Park at 9th Ave at Lincoln Way. For more information, visit www.sfbotanicalgarden.org or call (415) 661-1316.