I went to Filoli AGAIN! I know, I know, I don't put up any new posts for practically a year, then I go to Filoli yet again, and start a fourth post on how awesome it is. Pretty lame, but I have a new friend (and an observation about the nursery industry) because of this particular trip.Filoli is awesome and the people watching (really, people overhearing) can't be beat. Best line of the day came from an elderly gentleman to his wife near the parking lot: "would you like me to carry your bag?". There were some ladies settled on a bench behind the main house talking about something that sounded very personal. I also enjoyed the murmurings of tour groups as they responded to their tour guide's proclamations, and a few occasions where people were clearly seeing something new to them (a double flowered daffodil confounded one woman who wondered aloud if it was really three flowers that had grown together). One visitor was wearing a pretty lavender scarf that was perfectly in tune with this planting of bulbs behind offices (near the gift shop).

So - while I was over here near the gift shop, I did a little poking around their plant selections and I just had to buy something that was new to me! I found a dwarf Wisteria called 'Kofuji'. It is supposedly a shrub form wisteria that will stay within 2-3' ht x sp (height by spread). I googled it and found very little information on it, but the label was from a wholesale grower, so there's hope of finding it again. I am going to stick it in a pot outside my back door and see what happens. Here's my new friend:

Here's what I'm getting to: I've had my own garden on my mind lately (as well as those of clients), and have been visiting local nurseries to see what is interesting. I depend on nurseries to carry a wide variety of plants including the newer introductions so that I can take pictures for my clients (especially of certain plants together!) and test grow stuff in my patio, see how they do, get to know them personally. I like to think that through this process, I can not only suggest the exact cultivar I would propose for their project, but also have a reasonable expectation of being able to secure that plant when the time comes. Unfortunately, even though my new Wisteria friend originated at a well known wholesale grower, I had to go all the way across the bay to Filoli to discover it.Sadly, nurseries have been struggling along with the rest of the design and construction industries for the last few years. Last year, I noticed that they were under-staffed, under-stocked, and had extended seasonal closures. This year, what I am noticing is a lack of variety and larger materials. They're selling old standbys in smaller sizes and have reduced or eliminated the expense of ordering from a wider number of growers and also are not putting as much effort into creating big displays that I am sure ate up some money for them in the past (but was probably worth it when people were buying!). They seem to be avoiding the riskiness of bringing in less commonly known plants. I can't usually leave a nursery without buying something, but this spring, I've been through several - the Wisteria is the first plant I bought this year - which is saying something!So please - go and show your local nursery some love (not Home Depot). Buy a small plant or some seeds, let them know you're still out there. Your community and your garden will thank you. Meanwhile, here's some more of the wonderfulness that is Filoli: