On my recent trip to the Pacific Northwest, one of our stops was at Terra Nova Nurseries in Canby, Oregon where we received a personal tour of the operation by owner and renowned plantsman, Dan Heims. Terra Nova is a wholesale nursery best known for cutting edge plant introductions which are propagated by tissue culture. More information about the tissue culture process can be found HERE
 |
| One of Terra Nova's many high tech greenhouses. A Heuchera bandit could do well here. |
 |
| Dan Heims pointing out something in the display garden to Kathy, Lisa and Denise. |
Meandering around the sales office and visitor parking area is a series of drop dead gorgeous display gardens. Granted they are a sales tool, and probably switched out frequently depending upon what's in bloom, but the thoughtful design and riot of flower color left even a die hard foliage over flowers gardener like me questioning my own sanity.
 |
| Aralia cordata 'Sun King' (the blazing yellow beacon of foliage) is a plant I simply must have. |
 |
| Be still my heart! |
 |
| Exploding with color. |
 |
| The display gardens at Terra Nova in the shadow of their monstrous production greenhouses. |
 |
| Keep your eyes peeled for this series of Kniphofia called Popsicle. Supposedly they rebloom from summer into fall. |
 |
| Fortunately from a photography angle, the morning was overcast so the colors just popped. |
 |
| Echinaceas everywhere but not a one we could buy! |
Our visit to Terra Nova was made possible by one of our group members who was unfortunately unable to make the trip this year. Thank you Marlene! Hope to see you next summer at IU10!
Love the Popsicle colors! I feel fortunate now to have 2 Sun Kings here...now with Sue's foliage seal of approval[FSA]. Beautiful color!
ReplyDeleteAnd now to wonder if I'll make it IU10. I've not been able to join you all for too long. How far will I need to travel? We shall see.
Marie, early indications are pointing to Long Island, NY for IU10.
DeleteYou have Sun King? I've never even seen it in a nusery around here.
Between this and Little and Lewis gardens I could break down and weep I missed this trip. The colors in these display gardens just make my heart sing! So incredibly fabulous. I'd like to have ALL of these plants, LOL. I really must have some of those Agastaches and Echinaceas. I know the Kniphofia's are not hardy to my zone but I sure would like to see if I can manage them here. So gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe variety of Echinaceas growing in those display gardens was incrdible. Of course many of the past introductions have not proven vigorous around here so I'm always suspicious of new ones-especially at $20 a plant.
DeleteI tracked down that Aralia at Avant Gardens last year. Given its neighbors in the photo it looks like it's in quite a bit of sun there, but is just as happy and bright in a heavily shaded spot in my back yard. I've been looking for a spot for a second, as I'm not seeing any insect damage and it's keeping a good form.
ReplyDeleteIt's a mystery to me why great garden plants like the Aralia are so difficult to find locally. In CT we have alot of nice nurseries but they just don't seem to carry much in the way of unusual perennials.
DeleteI've heard so much about this nursery --- how great that you got a personal tour. Sunglasses needed, indeed! Those Popsicle kniphofias are incredible (I have sadly killed any kniphofia brought into my garden, but I love them.)
ReplyDeleteI haven't had much luck with Kniphofias either, Laurrie. Out in OR and WA they seem to grow like weeds. Come to think of it, everything out there grows well!
DeleteThe plants at Terra Nova looked like they were injected with color. Even their whites are whiter! I really need to find a source for the Edge of Night calla lily.
ReplyDeleteI don't see alot of Terra Nova plants for sale around here. Maybe the nurseries prefer to go with more local sources?
DeleteThe display gardens are incredible! Talk about color.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I'm so happy I found your blog. You have a gorgeous garden. Also, I found Deanne through you! I had been so disappointed that she wasn't posting to Gardenweb anymore and was excited when you mentioned she has a blog. Now I have two wonderful blogs to be a regular reader to! I'm your newest follower.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found us, Leslie. It's been a while since I've posted on Gardenweb. Thanks for stopping by!
Delete