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A Sweet Surprise: ‘Route 66’ Coreopsis

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I went out early this morning to hand-water a few newly-planted seedlings, and found a surprise on my front porch– two 4″ blooming ‘Route 66’ Coreopsis starts! I was genuinely puzzled because, upon inspecting the tag, I noticed they came from Emerisa Gardens, a wholesaler that doesn’t deliver to Sacramento nurseries. This discovery took place during my pre-coffee fog, so I didn’t put two and two together until I went back inside and told Kim about the mystery plants on our front porch.

He then revealed that he had stopped by Flowerland in Albany on his way to Oakland yesterday afternoon. Sweet! And completely unexpected. What’s even sweeter is that he tried to find the ‘Redshift’ Coreopsis I had admired on a previous visit to Flowerland. Both ”Redshift’ and ‘Route 66’ have a red to yellow color shift that makes this fall bloomer pretty exciting to me. Click here for a profile of ‘Route 66’ in Fine Gardening.

I admit, I’m easily entertained. My mom told me that when I was little, I could amuse myself with things of nature… dandelions… ladybugs… “for hours”. Doesn’t surprise me. It’s probably why I still think or say, “Ooh, hummingbird” every time one visits my feeder. You’d think the novelty of nature would wear off at my age, but nope.

Ooh, hummingbird! Ooh, ‘Route 66’ Coreopsis! Pit-tee birdy. Pit-tee fower!

‘Redshift’ Coreopsis

Why didn’t I buy this amazing Coreopsis when I was at Flowerland? I suppose it’s because I’m cheap and it was in a one-gallon container. I should have factored in the cost of pain and suffering from kicking myself over and over for not bringing this beautiful jagged-edged, color-shifting hippie plant home.

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Bodacious Buckwheats

Bodacious Buckwheats

Check out this fun video primer on buckwheats (Eriogonum) from UC Davis Arboretum Manager Taylor Lewis. He discusses several cool varieties thriving in display gardens at the arboretum and available for purchase at upcoming plant sales. Some are tight little ground covers; others are towering giants. In general, buckwheats prefer well-drained soil and low to moderate water.

Fall is a great time to plant natives and their cultivated relatives, so don’t miss upcoming UCD Arboretum plant sales!

Fall 2014 Plant Sales
PUBLIC SALES, UC DAVIS ARBORETUM

THE NEW FRONT YARD: Prepare your landscape for long-term water conservation with attractive, drought-tolerant, easy-care, region-appropriate plants including a large selection of California natives and Arboretum All-Stars.

Saturday, October 11
9 – 11 AM: Members only
11 AM – 1 PM: Open to the Public

Saturday, October 25
9 AM – 1 PM: Open to the Public

These sales are open to the public during the times specified above. Members save 10% off their purchases. Become a new member at the sales to receive 10% off your purchases AND an additional $10-off coupon! Find out more about becoming a member here.