Oops!  We lost the tags on these laceleaf Japanese maples.  They are some type of Acer palmatum dissectum – in a two-gallon size.  Normally, they would be around $34.99, but since we goofed, they are now $14.99. 

Fortunately they are still beautiful, even without a name!  Good while supplies last.

The legendary sale has returned for 2010!  Come join us for our Annual Green Thumb Sale, from August 7th through the 15th.  We have a tremendous amount of great sale items available, and you can download the official sale list here (subject to change).

Fall is right around the corner, which is the perfect planting time.  Visit us for the Annual Green Thumb Sale and get a head start on your fall planting projects.  Shop early, because some items will sell out quickly!

Just in time for the 4th of July: fireworks in plant form!  The new growth on this shrub is a fiery red burst on it’s branch ends; as the foliage matures, it ages to silvery white variegation.  Add to that the white, very fragrant blooms, and there is a lot going on with this one!

‘Flaming Silver’ is a slow-growing evergreen shrub, which will reach a mature height and spread of 5-6 feet.  It makes a great hedge, either left natural or pruned.  And something we all appreciate: it is extremely hardy and resistant to most pests and diseases that plague some landscape plants.

This 1 gallon Grower’s Choice is regularly priced at $7.99; now through July 8th, at $2.49.  Subject to stock on hand, and cannot be combined with other discounts.

I must admit this week’s Grower’s Choice is a shrub I don’t have first-hand experience with – although after reading up on it, I think I may need to give it a go!  The first thing that caught my attention is that it is a Great Plant Picks – which means it is great for the Pacific NW; long-lived; hardy for zones 7-8; easy to grow and maintain; reasonably disease and pest resistant; non-invasive; and has a long season of interest in the garden… all attributes I look for in a plant!

Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Showy Lantern’ is a deciduous shrub producing large cherry-red bell-shaped flowers in the spring, and showy scarlet/orange foliage in autumn.  It is easily pruned to the shape or size you need it to be, and at maturity will reach 5-6 feet in height.  Its width depends on how it is trained or pruned, but left untouched would be about 3 feet wide; this makes it a great addition to a mixed collection.  It is in the rhododendron family, and so is a great companion in the garden with rhodies and other woodland plants like sweet box (Sarcococca), bleeding heart, and Solomon’s seal.

This Grower’s Choice, Showy Lantern, 1-gallon size, is normally $9.99, on sale thru July 1st, at $2.49.  You will probably remember that we are having our awesome Summer Solstice Sale this week – everything is 40% off (with a few exclusions) – sale ends Sunday, June 27th.    Naturally, at these prices, the 40% off sale won’t apply to this week’s Grower’s Choice.  Subject to stock on hand.

If it’s Friday, it must be time for another Grower’s Choice plant pick.  Each week we are selecting another top-quality plant which we grow ourselves, and offering it to you at substantial savings.   Since these Grower’s Choices are all grown right here in the neighborhood, you have the assurance they will thrive in your garden too.  Local is best!

 This week’s Grower’s Choice is another very showy  shrub: Spiraea ‘Goldflame.’  This deciduous shrub has golden leaves, but the new growth emerges red, creating a bronzy contrast which turns golden as it matures.  It blooms in the summer (we have some blooming now) with a rose red flower.  It reaches heights and widths of 3-4 feet, and thrives in full to partial sun.  And best of all, it is hardy to minus 15 degrees.  After the winter we had this past year, hardiness is a desirable trait!

It is definitely a trend these past few years to add lime or chartreuse foliage colors to the garden landscape.  These bright colors add pop and interest even when the shrub is not in bloom.  They also are extraordinary during grey days – they really shine even when the sun doesn’t.  Last year I realized my own garden needed more color contrast with the foliage, and so I added just a few new bright things to the mix – I was amazed at the improvement it made to the overall appearance – everything seems brighter and more interesting.

This one gallon Spiraea ‘Goldflame’ is a Grower’s Choice this week at $2.49 – regularly priced at $5.99.  Prices good through June 24th.  Subject to stock on hand.  Naturally, this special price cannot be combined with other offers.

We’ve got three items we need to move to make way for others:

• 15 gallon Cornus florida ‘Rubra’ ~ this spectacular pink flowering dogwood has finished it’s bloom for the season, but it still has outstanding deep red fall colors to come!  This deciduous tree will reach about 20-30 feet in height at maturity, and will provide you with years of spring blooms and autumn color.  Red berries give even more fall interest as well as attract birds.  40% off while they last.
• 15 gallon Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Chief’ ~ this is another beautiful pink flowering dogwood which has also finished blooming this season.  Give this one good drainage and a little protection from the hot afternoon sun, and you will enjoy it’s ruby red blooms in the spring and it’s fall color.  Clusters of red berries also attract birds to your garden in the fall.  This tree will get about 20-25 feet tall, and would add the perfect vertical element to a mixed bed.  40% off while supplies last.
• 10 gallon Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’ laurel ~ this smaller shrub makes a perfect short hedge, or a friendly divider between neighbors.  It will only get 3-4 feet tall, and is easy to maintain without frequent pruning.  In the spring it will bloom with fragrant, white blossoms, and since it is an evergreen, it will keep it’s glossy leaves all year.  50% off while they last.

We’ve just put six Styrax japonica ‘Pink Chimes’ on  sale for 50% off.  The common name for this tree is Japanese snowbell – it is a graceful small tree (reaches 15-25 feet) with absolutely gorgeous bell-shaped flowers in the spring.  Pink, of course!  They are in full bloom now, and these six are nicely sized specimens.  They are regularly $109.99 to $119.99.

We only have these six at this low price, so don’t wait if you are interested in a gorgeous spring-flowering tree for your garden.

As you will remember, every Friday morning we are offering up one plant variety for special one-week pricing.  These are all top-quality plants grown right here at Farmington Gardens.  

This week’s Grower’s Choice is Berberis thunbergii ‘Aurea.’  This is a great slow-growing deciduous shrub with rich color;  it has sunny yellow leaves which provide an awesome pop of brightness in the garden – and is especially striking on grey days.  I have this one in my own garden, and can vouch for what a great plant it is - it has graceful arching branches, and a light, airy habit.  ‘Aurea’  is just the right size too – about 3-4 feet in height and width, making it perfect partners with others in a mixed bed.  It prefers partial sun, although it would benefit from protection from the hot afternoon sun.  And to top it off, in the early spring, there are even small orange blossoms.

This one gallon Berberis thunbergii ’Aurea’ is our Grower’s Choice this week at $2.49 – regularly priced at $7.99.  Prices good through June 17th.  Subject to stock on hand.  Naturally, this special price cannot be combined with other offers.

  ** THIS ITEM HAS SOLD!  **  From time to time, we have items here at the store that we are ready to turn over — display items, or merchandise that hasn’t moved.  We have just posted on Craigslist a wrought iron garden arbor that has been a display here for a couple of years.  It is about 9-10 feet square and similarly tall.   It is in good condition, and disassembles for easy transport.

This is the arbor we had hops growing over last year, and was it beautiful!   A great place to install a small bistro table and a couple of chairs, for morning coffee or evening glass of wine!

This item retailed for $2000 when new – we have it marked at $599.  Such. A. Deal.

Call if you’re interested!  This won’t last long.

We are nearing the end of the line for our Annual Canned Food Drive, but there is still a little bit of time left to take advantage of the savings!  The last day for this year’s event is Sunday, November 15th, so you will have to hurry in if you want to donate food and get your discount.  Five cans of food gets you 20% off of your total sale, even off of items that are already on sale (with just a few minor exclusions).  We have already taken in an enormous amount of food this season for the Oregon Food Bank, and we will be sure to post the final weight of the donations after the drive is finished!

Sale prices no longer valid.  We’ve got lots going on around the store this winter – I’ll write more about that another time!  But all the changes we are making require us to clear out some of our remaining stock.  This week we reduced the price of all our hardy fuchsias to 60%off.  And if you couple that with our canned food drive – bring in five cans or non-perishable packages of food for the Oregon Food Bank -you will receive an additional 20% off.  They won’t last long, and the selection is still good!  Get them in the ground now, and you’ll have fantastic color all through next summer.

Updated 11/12/2009

Going fast at this price:  50% off all Halloween decor.  Bring in 5 cans of food for our annual food drive, and receive an ADDITIONAL 20% off.  Such a deal!