Magic Gardens

Special Event

2011-10-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO GARDEN TOUR: SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER

10 AM to 11AM - RENA BRANSTEN GARDEN - PACIFIC HEIGHTS

3421 PACIFIC AVE - between Laurel & Locusts by the Presidio Wall

This is a very artistic garden in Laurel Heights neighborhood. The plants are by Aerin Moore and Christian Cobbs of Magic Gardens. The centerpiece of the garden are the three giant Viola Frank statues at the end of the garden. The garden is lush and full, and the types of plants were selected to offer visual interest in their own rights, but so as to not obscure the centerpiece of the garden. Here you will find many speciality Fuchsias and succulents, for which Magic Gardens in Berkeley is known.

11AM to 12 AM - PRISCA GEESLIN GARDEN - PACIFIC HEIGHTS

2660 PACIFIC AVE - between Scott & Pierce Streets

A classical Tommy Church garden with a simple yet dynamic layout using curving lines to break up the rectangular lot and make the eye experience a larger space. Although functional, the garden is at its best when viewed from above, as the house sits very high up above the garden. A rather traditional selection of plants from Magic Gardens Nursery was chosen for this garden with many different colors and textures, laid out in a semi formal aspect.

1PM to 2PM - DAVE BRANSTEN & KIRSTEN JOHNSTON GARDEN - GLEN PARK

46 LIPPARD AVE & CHENERY - Five blocks from Glen Park BART and Hwy 280

This spectacular garden by Christian and Aerin sits on a rare double lot in the Glen Park neighborhood. The mature palms and Cordylines were already existing on the property and all of the dry-stacked retaining walls were made entirely of recycled material found on the premises before the installation of the garden occured. The plant palette is an ecclectic mix of succulents and subtropicals and offers year round color and interest.

3PM to 4PM - VISIT THE REBUILT & MOSTLY REPLANTED SUNNYSIDE CONSERVATORY ON MONTEREY BLVD BETWEEN W. CONGO & BADEN - JUST EIGHT BLOCKS FROM THE ABOVE GARDEN. ALSO WALK THROUGH DIANA & TED KIPPING GARDEN IN THE BLOCK BEHIND THE CONSERVATORY @ 257 JOOST AVENUE

Donation= $10- for California Horticulture Society members and $20- for non-members.

Ted Kipping

tkippingsprint@earthlink.net

Garden Notes...

2011-09-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

Grazing Through the Garden- Edible Ornamentals

Why edible ornamentals?

In your own garden you have the opportunity to grow unusual edibles that you will never find in stores. These plants can either be a regular “guest” at the kitchen table or merely fun things to munch when you are out in the garden. Most of these plants are fairly low-maintenance perennials, which means that you get something to eat without the amount of work involved with growing annuals. You can have what to the untrained eye looks like a typical ornamental garden, but full of things to eat. Remember, some of these edibles might not be quite what you are used to, so keep your mind and palate open!

Precautionary Statement

I have never been great about following this rule, but it is smart to only try a very small part of any food plant that you are eating for the first time in case you have an allergy. Also, when exploring the wonderful world of unusual edibles, make sure you have the identification right! As an example, I for a while had it in my head that the marigold that I was eating around town was Tagetes lucida, Mexican Tarragon, a well known edible plant. It turns out that what I was eating was actually Tagetes lemmonii, Lemmon’s Marigold, which I have not been able to confirm is actually edible (although it does taste good!). The two plants look completely different. The moral of the story is don’t be dumb, know what you’re eating!

The Plants

Fruits

Fuchsias

- All fuchsias produces edible berries good for sorbets, ice creams, or other desserts

- The flowers are edible as well and are good in salads or candied for decorating desserts

- Fuchsia splendens

o Produces “pinched” pink and green flowers

o Fruits to 2” long

o Supposed to have the best flavor of any Fuchsia fruit, lemony and with a hint of pepperiness

- Fuchsia denticulata

o Berries are somewhat bland but good size

o Very large shrub- to 10’

- Fuchsia boliviana ‘Alba’

o Large plump juicy whitish berries

o Beautiful dangling bunches of white and red flowers

Feijoa sellowiana- Feijoa, Pineapple Guava

- Often used as an ornamental, as a hedge, multi-branched shrub or trained as a small tree

- To 25’, drought tolerant once established but better fruit with increased watering

- Pineapple-strawberry flavored fruits are ready just when they fall to the ground in fall

- Flower petals are fleshy and delicious!

- Fruits better when two varieties are planted

- Produces better quality fruit in a cool climate (like the Bay)

Akebia quinata- Chocolate Vine

- Very odd vine from the Far East, one of the few fruiting vines for shade

- Chocolate-scented flowers

- Produces sausage-shaped pod fruits that split open when ripe to reveal gooey pulp that tastes like guava-flavored tapioca

- Need two varieties to produce well

Arbutus ‘Marina’

- beautiful tree to 40’ with red peely bark and dangling small pink and white urn-shaped flowers

- beautiful 1” berries ripen from yellow to bright red

- edible fruits are gritty in texture but with pretty good flavor

- Easy, drought tolerant when established

Unusual Herbs

Agastache- Anise Hyssop

- Agastache foeniculum- Anise Hyssop

o Leaves, flowers and shoot tips good in salads

o Minty anise flavor

o 2-3’, sun, moderate water

- Agastache mexicana ‘Rosy Giant’

o Bigger plant, to 5’, and more drought tolerant

o Lemony scent and flavor

- Agastache ‘Tutti Frutti’

o Sweet and delicious flowers

Poliomintha longiflora- Mexican Oregano

- Strong oregano flavor

- 1-2’ tender perennial (protect in winter)

- Sun to part shade

Eriocephalus africanus- African Rosemary

- Medicinal plant in South Africa

- Used in sachets for cooking

- 6’shrub

- Covered in white flowers flowed by fruits that look like cotton wool

Vitex agnus-castus- Chaste Tree

- Seeds used as substitute for pepper

- Leaves used in the Moroccan spice mixture ras el hanout

- Has a moderating effect on female hormone system

- Beautiful spikes of purple-blue flowers

- Drought tolerant, deciduous small tree for sun

Edible Flowers

Hemerocallis- Daylilies

- Grown as food crop in China (sold as “golden needles”) and were also cultivated for food by early American settlers

- One of the most common garden plants

- Entire plant is edible: roots, shoots, leaves, buds, and flowers

- Flowers and buds have a spicy mushroomy flavor, although not everyone seems to experience this

- Flowers good steamed, as tempura, in stir fries, and to thicken soups

- Like sun, moderate water, and just about any soil

Salvia greggii

- edible flowers

- minty scented leaves can be dried and used as a culinary herb

Abutilon megapotamicum- Trailing Abutilon

- one of the best edible flowers I have tried

- crisp texture and very nice vegetable flavor

- would be beautiful in the salad bowl

- can get a bit leggy, good to pinch tips during the growing season to encourage bushiness, can also be espaliered or twined through a trellis

Campanulas

- Campanula poscharskyana-

o Edible bell-shaped purple flowers

o Leaves edible as well, but somewhat tough

o Low water when established

- Campanula portenshlagiana

o Very tiny leaves, but edible

o Flowers edible too

Roses

- Edible flowers and hips (fruits)

- Flowers

o In general, the stronger the scent, the stronger the flavor

o They taste like they smell!

o Petals are best in sweet things: pies, puddings, cakes, sweet breads, fruit salad, etc.

o Try steeping petals in hot water and using liquid for drinks

- Hips

o High in vitamin C

o Make a good tea

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii- Turk’s Cap, Manzanilla, Texas mallow

- Produces bright red edible flowers

- Not big on flavor but would be really striking in a salad

- Leaves edible as well but pretty tough

- Produces an edible fruit as well which apparently tastes like a mealy apple

- Native to Texas and the Southeast into Central America

- Attracts hummingbirds

- In a hot climate like Texas it prefers shade, here it might like more sun

Resources

Plants for A Future- www.pfaf.org

A Taste of the Unexpected- Mark Diacono

Merritt College Landscape Horticulture Department- plant sales in Fall and Spring

Evan Green, Magic Gardens' Landscape Coordinator

Gardens Notes...

2011-08-26T17:37:00.001-07:00

Mite Resistant Fuchsias

Many years ago the Bay Area was THE place to grow Fuchsias. In 1981, however, Aculops fuchsiae, better known as the Brazilian Fuchsia Mite or the Fuchsia Gall Mite, arrived and rapidly decimated the Fuchsia industry on the west coast. Spread by hummingbirds, wind, insects and people, the mite proved to be quite tenacious and difficult to eradicate. Therefore, most nurseries quit growing Fuchsias altogether.

One of the main problems with most Fuchsia hybrids was the fact that Fuchsia magellanica, one of the most mite-susceptible of the genus, was commonly used as a parent plant in order to make plants hardier to cold. The mite is at its most active in cool weather, making the Bay Area the perfect breeding ground for them with our mild temperatures nearly year round.

Alas, there is hope! Magic Gardens has one of the largest selections of Mite Resistant Fuchsias in California. Mite Resistant Fuchsias come in all shapes and sizes and can be used in many ways in the Bay Area landscape. These are definitely NOT your grandmother's Fuchsias!

Here is a partial list of the varieties available at Magic Gardens:

Fuchsia 'Dainty'

Fuchsia 'Bell Buoy' (semi-resistant)

Fuchsia boliviana

Fuchsia boliviana 'Alba' (picture)

Fuchsia campos-portoi

Fuchsia denticulata

Fuchsia 'Fanfare'

Fuchsia fulgens

Fuchsia 'Galfrey Lye'

Fuchsia paniculata

Fuchsia procumbens

Fuchsia regia

Fuchsia splendens

All of our varieties are in full bloom right now! Come in and see which ones mite look good in your yard~Your hummingbirds will love you!

Christian Cobbs

Magic Gardens designer/horticulturist

Keep On Planting!

2011-06-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

The warmer weather is upon us but it's not too hot to plant yet. Be it edible, ornamental or just plain gorgeous, now is a great time to fill in the last few spots. Sure, things will need a little extra attention in the next month than they would have last month. A little extra water and a little extra protection. But you're going to be out there anyway, right, tending the BBQ? Watching the kids in the pool? Magic Gardens Nursery continues to bring in smaller starts of blooming perennials, groundcovers and shrubs. The perfect size for fitting in and around your existing landscape!

Need more than just a few holes filled? Need the whole yard filled? Well, now is the perfect time to meet with our designers to start planning your new landscape. Magic Gardens Landscaping can help you achieve any vision you may have! Don't have a vision? We can help with that too! Our designers bring years of experience and energy to help you develop your space to show off your own personal style.

Call us at 510-644-2351 to learn more about our nursery or landscaping programs!

SALE PLANTS! (Sorry, this sale has ended)

2011-05-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

Aeonium ‘Cyclops’

1 gal.- Reg. $11.95 Sale $8.95

This otherworldly Aeonium produces giant rosettes of purple/red tinged leaves on thick trunk-like stems. Extends into an enormous inflorescence of yellow flowers when in bloom. More sunlight will enhance the red coloration. Grows to 4-5 feet tall (bigger in bloom) by 3-4 feet wide. Full sun on coast to light shade inland. Low water. Hardy to 25 degrees.

Campanula poscharskyana ‘Alba’

1 gal. – Reg. $8.50 Sale $6.95

An especially lovely variety with large white flowers. Flowers are produced along trailing stems throughout the year. A fast, easy grower that prefers morning sun to partial shade, regular water. Excellent for hanging basket or ground cover for small areas. Sunset Zones 1 - 12, 14 - 24.

Cestrum newellii

1 gal. - Reg. $9.95 Sale $8.50

Tall arching shrub with showy clusters of tubular deep red flowers in pendant clusters, followed by showy fruit. Attracts hummingbirds. Fast growing to 8 - 10' tall by 8' wide - benefits from pruning and pinching to shape and is easily kept smaller. Regular water. Sun, but partial shade best. Can be cut back severely. Sunset zones 13, 17, 19-24.

Crassula corymbulosa

1 gal. – Reg. $9.95 Sale $7.95

This succulent forms red-tinged rosettes at first but then develops solid red 'pagodas' in spring. The pyramidal pagoda-shaped growth will reach about 6-10" high and will sprout small white flowers at the top. The best red color will be obtained in full sun and will be greener in more shade. Drought tolerant. Native to South Africa.

Echium candicans (E. fatuosum)

1 gal.- Reg. $9.95 Sale $6.95

2 gal.- Reg. 29.95 Sale $17.95

This multi-branched evergreen shrub has narrow grey green leaves in clusters that mound at end of stems. Multiple spikes of lavender blue to rosy violet flowers appear above foliage in spring. Grows to 5-8' tall and 6-10' wide over time. Prefers sun, tolerates part shade, and little to no summer watering once established. Prune lightly to keep bushy. Hardy to 25 degrees. Sunset Zones 14-24.

Elegia capensis

5 gal.- Reg. $34.95 Sale $25.95

An unusual and beautiful evergreen rush-like plant native to South Africa. Growing 6 - 8 ft. tall from dense clumps, the tall arching stems have whorls of wiry branchlets at the nodes. Small coppery-brown flowers appear in attractive clusters at the shoot tips from fall into winter. Likes sun to light shade and regular water. Will NOT thrive in dry conditions. A striking addition near a pond or pool. wonderful in large containers too. Hardy to around 20 degrees.

Geum ‘Starkers Magnificum’

1 gal. – Reg. $8.50 Sale $6.95

This perennial will grow 18" tall and produces beautiful tangerine-orange flowers that bloom during the summer. It has striking green foliage and is often used as a border. A very neat, compact, low-clumping perennial.

Hemerocallis

1 gal – Reg. $8.50 Sale $6.95

Many varieties to choose from. Plant them in full sun, partial shade only in hottest climates. Regular water.

Muhlenbergia rigens

4”- Reg. $9.95 Sale $7.50

Cool season evergreen grass. Foliage forms dense clumps 1-2' tall and wide. Flower spikes rise 2-3' above the foliage on slender arching stems in early summer and persist into winter. Prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun/bright shade. Tolerant of coastal conditions, heat and dry, rocky and poor soils.

Nepeta ‘Blue Wonder’

1 gal – Reg. $8.50 Sale $6.95

Gray-green, aromatic foliage gives way to loads of lavender-blue flowers in early thru midsummer. Full sun. Height to 15”. Its short nature makes it a good candidate for the front of the border.

Pachyphytum bracteosum

1 gal.- Reg. $9.95 Sale $7.95

Attractive and clean looking succulent with rounded whitish-grey leaves. Flower scapes are adorned with pendant red flowers in spring. Excellent in rockeries or in pots. Full sun to light shade. Hardy to 20 F. Little to moderate water.

Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Blue Springs’

1 gal. – Reg. 8.50 Sale $6.95

This long-lived California perennial is native to the dry coastal foothills. 'Blue Springs' is covered in blue-violet blooms on 20 inch spikes in spring and early summer. Repeat bloom if old flowers are removed. Grows 1.5'-2' tall and 2' wide. Likes full sun, low water and good drainage - is drought tolerant once established, also tolerant of alkali and clay soils. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Plant in fall for bloom in late spring and early summer. An excellent dry garden plant! Sunset Zones 7 - 24.

Phormium ‘Apricot Queen'

5 gal.- Reg. $36.95 Sale $27.95

'Apricot Queen' is adorned with slightly twisting and arching 2 - 3" wide pale yellow leaves with green margins that flush an apricot color in fall. Color is stable. Grows 2 - 4' tall, and 4-5' wide. Likes full sun, low to moderate water, and well drained soil. Sunset zones 7 - 9, 14 - 24.

Phormium ‘Platt’s Black’

5 gal.- Reg. $36.95 Sale $24.95

Phormium 'Platt's Black' is a dramatic evergreen perennial composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves in a fan pattern. Leaf color is dark maroon to almost black - the darkest Phormium yet. Grows to 3' by 3'. Takes sun or light shade. Low to moderate water. Hardy to 15-20 degrees F. Sunset zones 7-9, 14-24.

Rosa ‘Cocktail’

5 gal. – Reg. $29.95 Sale $24.95

This lovely large shrub rose, bred in the 1950's, may be making a comeback, and for good reason. It's repeat blooming, with big, single, velvety red blossoms and yellow eyes that fade to cream as they age. Reaching up to 7 x 7 ft.or more, the plant is upright and can be used as a hedge or screen, or as a stiff climber if supported by a fence or other plants. Tough and disease resistant.

Salvia cacaliaefolia

5 gal. – Reg. $29.95 Sale $17.95

Unlike many salvias, this semievergreen perennial blooms best in light shade, as is found under high branching trees. The deep gentian blue flowers are profuse and rise above unusual arrowhead shaped trailing foliage. Long spring to fall bloom period - 8 - 10 months in mild climates! Grows low & rambles 2 - 3 ft. tall and 6-8 ft. wide - a choice plant for draping over walls and containers. Prefers high shade, tolerates sun, and likes regular water with good drainage. Sunset zones 14-24.

Baia Nicchia Tomatoes!

2011-05-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hot weather = yummy tomatoes!
But even when the weather is cool 'Bay Area weather', you can still have great, tasty fruit! We have the following Baia Nicchia varieties in stock now:

Cherry tomatoes
Blush, Black Cherry, Maglia Rosa, Principe Borghese and Medovaya Kaplya

Bigger tomatoes
Cherokee Purple, Red Brandywine, Speckled Roman, Amana Orange, Hillbilly, Spike and Lucinda

Go to BaiaNicchia.blogspot.com to learn more!

Magic Gardens Nursery is the only bay area nursery to carry Baia Nicchia starts! Come get yours today!

Spring has sprung! Finally!

2011-04-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

Were you like us and feeling like the sun was never going to shine again? Well, it's back! The next few days should dry the ground up for planting. And Magic Gardens has what you need to get the garden growing!

First off, for the flower and the veggie gardens, how about a new layer of compost or planting mix? Point Reyes Double Dooty, Cow & Horse Manure, is just the stuff to get things off to a fresh start! It is the all natural, nutrient filled poop that comes from the end of the dairy process. They are the purveyors of premium poop, as they say. See their story at www.prcompostco.com! Also available, we have Gardner & Bloome Planting Mix. A healthy 2 cubic foot bag of all natural, organic compost to make a lasting impression on your soil! Each bag contains yummy things like worm castings, kelp meal and bat guano. Oh, your dirt will be so happy!

Once your beds are prepared, in goes the plants! Tomatoes, beans, peas and herbs are ready for you to take home! Back again this year is Baia Nicchia Farms with their Bay-area tested tomatoes! (One cherry will make you 'Blush') And what is a tomato without oregano, sage and rosemary? Well, still good, but why not give it a little spice?!

And 4" perennials are a great addition to any of your flower and shrub borders. New Lavenders, Salvias and Agastache are eager to invite pollinators into your yard! Heucheras, Euphorbias and Scented Geraniums will take advantage of our wonderful summer weather and provide a beautiful show!

Come see us this weekend and create a little Magic in your Gardens!

Tomatoes! Our favorite summer fruit!

2011-04-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

Fred Hempel returns to Magic Gardens this Saturday, April 9th at 10 am for his talk on growing better tomatoes in the Bay Area.

Tomatoes are the most popular garden vegetable in America. However, growing tomatoes in many parts of the Bay Area is a challenge due to cool summer weather. This seminar will provide insight into how to grow tomatoes in the Bay Area's many microclimates, and will introduce some of the unique varieties that have been bred at Baia Nicchia. Magic Gardens is the only nursery in the area that carries Baia Nicchia's wonderful tomato and herb starts.

Don't forget! Saturday, April 9th, 10am. As always, our Saturday classes are free!

Welcome to Magic Gardens

2011-03-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks for stopping by our site! Watch your step though, there is some heavy construction going on around here. We've decided to update, rebuild and freshen up the website!!

Some exciting new things are being added and expanded. For instance, check out the Portfolio pages for a much larger selection of photos from some of our recent landscaping projects. We hope you will find inspiration here. There will be regular blogs and more information on what is happening in the Nursery. We'll be posting our sales, what's blooming and a schedule of our free Saturday classes. Be sure to check back often as things can change pretty quickly in the Nursery in springtime!

The San Francisco Flower and Garden Show begins Wednesday! Our friends at Star Apple Edible + Fine Gardening have been working hard on a 6,000 s.f. edible display garden there, The Modern Homestead. Our friend and Star Apple co-owner, Stefani Bittner, asked Magic Gardens to set the stonework. And our own Christian Cobbs helped with the planting of the chicken coop roof (you've got to see it to believe it!). The show is Wednesday, March 23rd thru Sunday, March 27th at the San Mateo Event Center. For more info, visit the show's website at www.sfgardenshow.com.

Speaking of Stefani, she will back with us at the Nursery on Saturday, April 2nd for her class, Attracting Beneficial Insects and Pollinators. The class is free and begins at 10am, rain or shine!

Thanks again for visiting us here on the website! We hope to see you soon in the Garden!!

Star Apple Edibles + Fine Gardening

2011-03-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

Stefani Bittner, former Magic Gardens employee, does fantastic all-edible landscaping!!! Check out her site at Star Apple Edible + Fine Gardening.

Welcome

2011-03-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Magic Gardens!