Our morning began with a stop at Four Winds Growers in Watsonville.
L-R: Ed Laivo, Lexa Dillon, Aaron Dillon & their father, Don Dillon
The Citrus industry has been under fire due to the tiny yet destructive Asian citrus psyllid and has been forced to change their growing techniques. Aaron Dillon demonstrated how Four Winds has been renovating their facility and implementing changes to produce a sturdier tree.
The new variegated Kumquat ‘Centennial’. Rivals Variegated Calomondin for foliage and will be more available next season.
Painterly variegation accents the jewel like fruits.
The Sudachi Mandarin, a favorite in Japanese cooking.
We were impressed with their drive to be a premier Citrus producer. This next season will bring changes in sizes: 5 gallons will be phased out and replaced by 3 gallon, the 2 gallons will only be available with ungrafted Meyer Lemons & Bearrs Limes. We’ll be posting more information on that later.
Size comparison from left to right: 8″, 2 gallon, 3 gallon & 5 gallon. The plant size in the 3 gallon is virtually the same as the 5 gallon.
Then onto the much anticipated Monterey Bay Nursery and the acres of ‘”ooo’s” and “aaah’s”
Molly was surprised to see ferns at Monterey Bay: “I was blown away at the size and selection. It shatters the pedictability of our Northwest supply.”
Tradescantia (Rhoeo) spathacea ‘Vittata’. Gorgeous foliage.
Alocasia odorata ‘Variegata’
Wouldn’t this be a great mannequin size? Asparagus meyerii
Who knew? Monterey Bay has big beautiful 2 gallon Hellebores! Hellebore niger ‘Maestro’
Awesome Anigozanthus!
Leucodendron ‘Wilson’s Wonder’
Leucodendron ‘Ebony’. A unique slate black that could make a statement on its own or would pair with anything. We cant wait to plant it in trials this summer.
There’s nothing like being able to hand pick your plants, straight from the growing grounds.
L-R: JJ DeSousa, Digs Inside & Out, Alex Seifert, Bremerton City Nursery & Melinda Ramage, Vassey Nursery
Check out Monterey Bay’s & Four Winds Growers availabilities here
Great Hellebores in 2 gallons for great, blooming mannequin plants.