walterandersen.com facebook.com/walterandersens twitter.com/walterandersens online store videos

San Diego’s Independent Nursery Since 1928 TM AUGUST 2017

IN THIS ISSUE Solo Effort Helps Restore Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies By Melanie Potter Solo Effort Restores Butterflies 1 Summer Watering Tips 1 Houseplants Bring Outdoors In 1 Can’t Go Wrong w/Succulents 3 Old Ben: Rarest Bird In World 4 Old Ben’s August Specials 4 Walter: Outdoor Favorites 5 To Do List: August 5 Water Lettuce 6 Grow Up, A Wall 7 August Garden Classes 7 Don’t Miss These Classes 7

In May, there was big news out of San only food source, the Pipe- Summer Francisco. So big it made the national ( californica), also Watering Tips morning news and was also featured known as California Dutchman’s Pipes. on internet news services. It was all This news proves that with a little By Kate Karam, Monrovia Nursery about a special butterfly making a effort and some patience you can giant comeback. change the world for the better. You can see the story here: www.cbsnews. Watering the garden seems simple Sadly, the California Pipevine Swallow- com/videos/rare-butterfly-makes- enough, but it actually takes a tail populations were almost extinct stunning-comeback. little finesse to do properly. Follow because nobody was growing their these few simple rules for watering continued p2 your garden to keep it healthy throughout the season. To make sure you really do need to Bring The Outdoors Inside water, use that handiest of garden With These Houseplants tools, your finger, to test soil mois- By Walter Andersen, Jr. ture levels before grabbing the hose. If the soil surface looks dry, probe Walter, Jr. longs to take care of growing things down a few inches to see if the soil inside his house that are peaceful in nature. is dry several inches down. If it is However, he shares his home with three ram- dry, then water; if not, wait a day. bunctious, loveable dogs and a one-eyed cat So, your garden does need a deep (who rules the roost). Perhaps he dreams of drink. When’s the best time of these and thinks they will be perfect in the day to water? You have two your home! opportunities: early morning or late Anthurium andraeanum afternoon. Early morning is best Commonly known as just Anthurium, it makes when water can soak into the soil Anthurium andraeanum a very attractive indoor plant. The blooms are rather than evaporate due to heat continued p2 continued p2 08.17 2

Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies continued from p1 So, what exactly is this California area. Because it is a vigorous grower, Pipevine? You may know it as Dutch- provide a trellis, fence or arbor to man’s Pipes. Pipevine is a vigorous, grow on. It can grow to be as tall as climbing, woody vine without tendrils. 20-30 feet! It has pipe shaped flowers and heart- The flowers have a musty, unpleasant shaped leaves. The flowers are curved, odor that attracts fungus gnats, which like a pipe. It is native to central and are suspected of being the successful northern California and should be pollinator of the plant. planted in a somewhat shady to sunny •

Houseplants continued from p1

Watering Tips continued from p1

or wind. Missed that window? Late afternoon is also fine, but not too late. Water on foliage needs to dry before the sun goes down to avoid developing fungal diseases. While it’s pretty satisfying to stand, hose in hand, and blast the garden, it’s vital to deeply soak a plant’s Crossandra infundibuliformis Spathiphyllum ‘Peace Lily’ entire root system (which is probably large and spectacular. Colored red, blooming. Mature plants bloom almost the same width as the plant and white and pink, the blooms are heart- continually if you fertilize them once a may be a foot or two deep), and not shaped and 5 to 6 inches wide. The month with a good liquid indoor plant just spritz its leaves. A thumb over a leaves are quite large and very shiny; food. Plant foods with formulas for hose aimed at the roots works, but they almost look like they have been African Violets will work well also. To a watering wand, drip irrigation, or waxed. Blooms last for about six weeks encourage them to grow larger repot soaker hoses better directs water on the plant and you can expect them into 8” containers. right to the root zone. The payoff for this extra effort is that deep to bloom off and on all year when Spathiphyllum grown indoors. Larger plants can sup- watering encourages plants to port more than one bloom at a time. Sometimes called Peace Lilly, this is develop deep roots that find water They like a well draining potting mix. a remarkable plant for indoor use. in the subsoil when drought strikes. There are several varieties; the main To maintain, fertilize monthly with a Roots deprived of oxygen due to difference is in the mature size. The good indoor plant food. Even without waterlogged soil may lose their blooms, these are very attractive plants. most common grow to about 16” to ability to drink up. Watering slowly, 18” tall. Slender stalks grow into very deeply, and infrequently creates the Crossandra infundibuliformis wide leaves of deep green. The pure damp-but-not-soggy soil that most Commonly known as Crossandra, this white blooms are formed just above is a wonderful blooming plant that the leaves. Don’t let them dry out plants love. Aim for moist soil five grows to about 16” tall and wide. The and they will reward you with almost to six inches below the surface. If plant has a tropical look with its deep continual blooms. Almost any liquid soil surface is really dry, water may green leaves and flat-faced flowers plant food will keep them happy, if you puddle or run off. Start slowly, and that are peachy colored. It prefers don’t have any; try Gro-Power Liquid once the top few inches are moist, fairly bright light if you want it to keep once a month. • the water will be absorbed more easily. continued p3 08.17 3 Can’t Go Wrong With Succulents Watering Tips By Walter Andersen, Jr. continued from p2

You can help keep soil moist by covering it with a layer of mulch to help reduce evaporation and minimize runoff. Just remember that you can have too much of a good thing; if the mulch is too thick, it can prevent moisture from reaching the roots. Aim for about a two inch layer, and pull mulch back from the main stem to avoid rot. A Few More Things... • Resist the urge to water in the heat of the day, even if your plants are wilting. Plants sometimes wilt to conserve moisture, but they should Aloe Vera perk up again when evening comes. • If foliage edges are turning brown, you’re probably overwatering.

Editor’s Note: It has been a hot summer and there have been days when we’ve had to water plants at the nursery multiple times. Those in small containers dry out quickly. Bear that in mind and give close attention to plants in containers as they may require more water than usual. •

Euphorbia Euphorbia

Whether you plant them in containers watering about once a week. It can be of pink, red, white, cream and other or in a drought-tolerant landscape, gown indoors in a bright room. Some colors. Blooms are formed in clusters these are a popular choice for gar- folks keep them in the kitchen to use at the end of branches. The stems and deners. They are used in wreaths and as a burn medication. When you cut trunk are very thorny so handle carefully. table top décor and best of all is how through the leaf there is a thick, gel- Leaves are deep green and 1” to 2” long. easy they are to plant and propagate. like center that you can spread on There are some varieties that do have Aloe Vera (A. barbadensis) burns, scrapes or rashes. Aloe Vera is foliage to perhaps 4” long, and are a very popular and useful succulent. larger growing. The two in the photos Often called the burn plant or medic- Euphorbia milii (E. splendens) are more compact varieties. These are inal aloe or just Aloe Vera, which is a popular in rock gardens or you can smaller growing variety. It has very Has the common name Crown of plant with other succulents and cactus. thick fleshy foliage with leaves to Thorns. This is a very bright, showy Believe it or not, these are related to the about 10” to 15” long when mature. plant that botanists have traced back common Poinsettia! • It grows well in full sun to light shade to the Spiny Forest of Madagascar. It in most areas of San Diego. This has been highly hybridized and there plant takes very little care other than are many varieties. You’ll find blooms 08.17 4 Old Ben: Old Ben's Specials

The Rarest Bird In The World Valid August 1-30, 2017 By Old Ben

Old Ben’s Nyger Seed The Staple food for goldfinches and many other small birds. In 1990, a group of Cambridge scien- tists arrived to the plains of Nechisar 20lb. bag in Ethiopia. On that expedition, they Sale $44.99 Reg. $49.99 collected more than two dozen spec- imens; saw more than 300 species of birds, and lots of rare butterflies, Old Ben’s Classic dragonflies, reptiles, mammals, and Nechisar Nightjar Wild Bird Seed plants. As they were gathering up their where the wing was found. They Classic mix that attracts a wide findings, a wing of an unidentified bird located the Nightjar on the first night variety of wild birds. No fillers in was packed into a brown paper bag. It they arrived! This Nightjar was easily this mix. was to become the most famous wing distinguishable from the more com- 20lb. bag in the world. mon smaller Nightjars in the area. It Sale $24.99 Reg. $29.99 This wing would set the world of was a large Nightjar with huge white science buzzing. The wing was entirely patches and was seen several times in unique. It was like nothing they had ever the next few nights. It appeared to be Old Ben’s No Mess seen before. Could a new species be a male; the museum wing specimen Wild Bird Seed named based on just one wing? After had a more buff colored patch and The No Mess Advantage: Seed is much discussion, a new species was appeared to be that of an immature hulled, will not sprout, birds can eat announced and it was to be known as female bird. all the seed which attracts fewer Nechisar Nightjar, or Camprimulgus Its natural habitat is subtropical or feeder pests. Solala, which means “only wing.” And tropical dry lowland grassland; it is 20lb. bag so birdwatchers began to dream. threatened by habitat loss and is listed In 2009, a trip was led by Ian Sinclair, a as vulnerable. • Sale $34.99 Reg. $39.99 renowned ornithologist, to the area

Ask Old Ben! Old Ben’s Favorite Hummingbird &

Old Ben doesn’t always Oriole Feeders by “First Nature” think about birds. Hummingbird Oriole Sometimes he thinks Features: about his business and that’s when he had a • Wide-mouth 32oz reservoir is grand idea. How cool easy to fill and clean would it be if you could reach out and ask him • Spill-resistant all kinds of questions about birds, or show him • 10 feeding ports your (feathered) bird • 2-piece base is easy to clean photos, or share your birding experiences? • MADE IN THE USA Well, now you can by using this email. [email protected] Sale $9.99 Reg. $11.99

All specials limited to stock on hand. No special orders. Cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. 08.17 5

Words From Walter TO DO LIST: August Outdoor Favorites By Walter Andersen, Jr. FERTILIZE For lawns, use Marathon Fertilizer for tall fescue, and Bonide DuraTurf Weed & Feed to feed grass and I’m going to share some summer control broadleaf weeds. Feed plants that have nothing in common. ornamentals with Gro-Power. Feed You’re going to learn about something vegetables with Gro-Power Tomato tropical, something native, and others and Vegetable Food or Dr. Earth that are nice to grow because they are Organic Tomato and Vegetable Food. beautiful or functional. I’m all over the Feed citrus, avocado, and fruit trees page with these plants that came to with Gro-Power Citrus and Avocado my mind. Food. Feed palms and tropicals Ceanothus griseus horizontalis Ceanothus with Gro-Power Palm Tree and variegata Tropical Food. Variegated Carmel Creeper ‘Diamond WATER Heights’ is a great plant to use as a If you will be unavailable, arrange for groundcover or on a slope. It hugs a neighbor or your gardener to watch the ground, though in time it may your yard to make sure everything get to 20” tall, and spreads to about gets appropriate water. Adjust 4’ to 6’ wide. There is a green Carmel sprinklers to make sure they operate Creeper, but this is brighter with its properly. Think about switching yellow-green and green leaves that your existing sprinklers to more are almost glossy in appearance. It has efficient types. If you are considering small blue flowers, but the foliage is Fuchsia removing your lawn and plants, we why you want it. This plant likes well suggest starting with an irrigation draining soil and full sun. Ceanothus is tune-up. Have someone look at your native to California and there are many system. It might be worth investing varieties and hybrids. Some are small in your irrigation system rather than trees. It takes a little while to get them incurring the expense of removing established, but once they are grow- existing plantings and replacing ing, they need very little care. They will them. Mulch, mulch, mulch. Topping grow better with some irrigation dur- ing the hot summer, maybe bi-weekly. the soil with a layer of much helps If it rains like last winter, no additional keep the moisture in. Mulch breaks water will be needed. Do water about down and enriches the soil, and it once a week to get them started if you Pelargonium crispum makes your plantings look manicured plant during warm weather. and finished. ly do best in shaded areas. Try plant- PLANTING Fuchsia!!! ing some in containers using Edna’s Plant tropicals, ornamentals, trees, What can I say? These are just super Best Potting Soil and you will be very and shrubs. Late crops of warm plants that bloom almost all summer pleased. Fertilize lightly once a month season vegetables, like tomatoes, long. Colors of white, pink, red, purple, with Ada Perry’s Magic Formula plant squash, and beans can be planted. lavender and even salmon are paired in food. Don’t overdo it as this product artful combinations. Upright Fuchsias can work miracles without using great Later this month, plant Sweet can grow to 5 feet or more if you sup- quantities. Peas for early crop of flowers. Add port them with a stake or trellis. There is some drought-tolerant plants such Pelargonium crispum as Cactus, Succulents, Lantana, also weeping or hanging varieties that (P. hortorum) make spectacular hanging baskets. The Grevilleas, and Leucadendron. I like this variety, Variegated Lemon branches can droop down 12” or more Look for bedding plants, Bougain- Scented Geranium. This is a very cute and are draped with beautiful double villea, Crape Myrtle, Hibiscus, compact growing plant with small or semi-double blooms. Fuchsias real- Agapanthus, Citrus, Plumeria, and continued p6 Avocados. • 08.17 6

Outdoor Favorites continued from p5 Plumbago capensis (P. auriculata) Cape Plumbgo, native to South Africa, is a really sturdy plant. It’s generally grown as a large shrub to about 6 or 7 feet tall, and probably a little wider if left untrimmed. It is not very fussy as to soils, but adding a planter mix to your soil will get it off to a faster start. Keep new plantings moist, but once established, they require infrequent watering. Plumbago has attractive Plumbago capensis light green foliage, to about 2” to 3” long, and sky blue or white flowers through spring and summer. To form a thick screen, plant about six feet apart, they will fill in fairly quickly. Prefers full Water Lettuce sun, but shade part of the day would Is A Versatile Floater be fine. It also works great on a bank. By Walter Andersen, Jr. Acanthus Did you know that variegated Acan- thus make very attractive and inter- The name Water Lettuce is easier esting plants for shaded areas of to remember than Pistia stratiotes, Acanthus your yard? More common are the all so that is what everyone calls this green foliage ones, that have leaves a plant. little larger than this variegated from. It’s a small water plant or pond plant These leaves are dark green with that floats on the surface of the almost pure white markings. It can water. It’s super easy to grow and really catch your eye in darker shadier only requires being put in water. It locations. Acanthus likes to be kept will float among your water lilies moist pretty much all of the time. Mix and other pond plants. in plenty of planter mix into your soil for best growth. Fertilize with Gro- It forms clumps to about 6” to 8” Power every two months to encourage wide, and offshoots are formed to new and larger foliage. These are so make new plants, which makes it self Alpinia sanderae easy to grow and your neighbors will propagating. In time, you may need crinkly foliage of green and bright be impressed. to thin them out. These floating yellow. Light lavender-pink blooms Alpinia sanderae plants help keep the water clear are about the size of a quarter. These (shading the water) and if you have blooms adorn the plant most of the Or common name Variegated Shell fish, they will feed on the roots. Ginger, is a great plant for shaded summer, but you’ll have fewer blooms For a decorative touch, you can areas. It is a true Ginger, so it adds a in cooler weather. Despite cooler wea- try something a little different and ther, the plant stays nice looking. It’s tropical touch to your landscape. It’s easy to grow and has bold green and place them in water in a ceramic pot easy to grow so plant in full sun to with no drainage. Water Lettuce partly sunny areas. This will grow to yellow striping on the large leaves. It grows to about 4 to 5 feet tall and the prefers bright light and may not be about 15” tall and as wide. This also the best choice for a shaded area. makes a cute container plant. Once leaves are about 10” long and almost 5” wide. It also makes a wonderful Blooms are insignificant small established, a light watering about white flowers that you shouldn’t two times per week will suffice. It container plant if you have a shaded even bother to look for. The light does not like to be soggy wet. As for porch or patio. It generally does not green, soft fuzzy leaves are what its name, when you crush the foliage it bloom as much as the Common Shell make them attractive. I have seen has a nice citrus fragrance. Ginger, but the stunning foliage makes up for it. • the tiny offshoot used in small glass table decorations in place of flowers which is a novel way to show case them. • 08.17 7 Garden Classes AUGUST Don’t Miss These Classes Saturday classes are FREE and last about an hour. Complimentary coffee is served. During inclement weather, classes are held indoors in San Diego and on the covered, heated patio in Poway. Topics are subject to change. See the full schedule at www.walterandersen.com/calendar/.

SAN DIEGO | 9:00AM POWAY | 9:30AM August 17 | 6:30pm 8/5 8/5 Join us at the Poway store for ‘New Orchid Care & Repotting Herbs! & Forever Roses’ with Steve Bening 8/12 8/12 from Star Roses. Learn about Star roses and enjoy grilled hotdogs. Summer Fruit Tree Common Sense Gardening & Watering for Summer with David Ross Maintenance 8/17 | 6:30pm September 2 | 9:30am 8/19 ‘New & Forever Roses’ w/Steve Bening Weed Wars In Poway, Aubry Brown will lead 8/19 ‘Dirty Little Hands’, a class designed 8/26 Summer and Fall Veggies for children ages 3-12 and their Salsa Ole’ with Richard Wright accompanying parents/guardians. with Marco Diaz 8/26 Plan on getting dirty, singing, and Terrariums dancing while celebrating our con- nection to food, flowers, soil, water, and bugs! •

It’s Time To Grow Up; Plant A Wall!

Beginning this month, both stores will have vertical gardening kits for sale. If you have at least a six foot space of wall, you can plant more plants than you ever thought possible. The Grow Wall system from Grow Up Vertical Farming improves space utilization by up to six times and reduces water usage by over 80% while still growing produce in soil, the way it was meant to be grown. San Diego’s Independent Nursery Since 1928 TM Growing vertically 10 sq. ft. of ground space can yield over 80 growing points. By drip irrigating the base of the plants and then catching and reusing any excess water, no water is lost in the watering process. For more information, visit www. growupverticalfarming.com. • walterandersen.com Visit Our 2 Locations facebook.com/walterandersens twitter.com/walterandersens SAN DIEGO POWAY online store 3642 Enterprise Street 12755 Danielson Court San Diego, California 92110 Poway, California 92064 videos {619} 224-8271 {858} 513-4900

©2017 Walter Andersen Nursery Design: TyWebbDesign.com