Santa Clara, nearby counties offer variety of floral events
By Tony Tomeo
Those of us who arrived in the Santa Clara Valley during the last 20 years or so may not be aware of its agricultural and horticultural history. The valley was once one of the most productive areas in the world for fruits and nuts. Many horticultural crops were also grown here.
In fact, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties were once rated first and second in production of horticultural crops in the country. Alameda county was also highly rated. Of course, that was long ago and most growers have been forced out of the valley. However, the industry still thrives on the San Mateo County coast.
Every year, the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau and the Coastal Flower Market organize the "Tour Des Fleurs." Many of the more distinctive growers in the area are open for the public tour. The farms are family-owned and many have operated for generations. Because most are not normally open to the public, this is a great opportunity to see how various crops are grown, harvested and processed.
This year, the Tour Des Fleurs will be held on Saturday, July 22. Growers include Thomas Fogarty Winery (vineyards), Yerba Buena Nursery (native plants and ferns, one of my favorites), T and E Pastorino (cut roses and cut flowers), Oku Roses (cut roses and cut flowers), Vlasic Farms (mushrooms), Ano Nuevo Flower Growers, Inc. (violas and field flowers), Purissima Green Farms (organic vegetables), Daylight Nursery (field flowers, vegetables, herbs and pumpkins) and Pastorino Gifts and Plants (cut flowers, pumpkins and potted plants).
The total of six tours each includes three of the various growers. Guests drive themselves to each location. Tickets are available for $15 and a box lunch is also available for $11. For more information or to make reservations, call the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau at 650.726.8380.
Another more immediate event is the annual fuchsia show and sale, sponsored by the San Jose branch of the American Fuchsia Society. The event is June 24.
Fuchsia Society members will be available to answer questions, and literature on the flowers will be available for purchase. The fuchsia sale includes plants of all sizes and many rare varieties. It is not uncommon for the sale to sell out, so if you want to purchase something special, plan to arrive early.
The one day show and sale will be held at the Westgate Mall in San Jose.
If you are aware of any other events that should be featured in the gardening column, please contact me at the telephone number below. Any news or information must be received at least two weeks before it is featured. I am happy to write about anything that might be of interest to garden enthusiasts.
Vine of the Week: Star Jasmine
Star jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides, is one of the most popular plant species used in gardening in California. It is more commonly used as low-spreading shrubbery, or ground cover.
As ground cover, it may grow to two feet deep and needs to be kept out of trees and shrubbery. Otherwise, it may climb and become a tangled mess, eventually shading out other plants.
For large areas, plants should be spaced from two to three feet apart, and may take a while to fill in. If used in small areas, jasmine may be sheared on the sides and even on top, like a low hedge. Because it tolerates some shade, it is useful as ground cover under trees where other ground covers might have trouble getting established.
If used as a climbing vine, it may grow as high as 20 feet. It is suitable for trellises, but may also climb posts of split rail or picket fences. The vine, shown in this photograph, is climbing the railing of a stairway to an upper porch. If allowed to climb, it is advisable to shear mature, overgrown plants severely each year to prevent inner growth from becoming bare.
The foliage is very glossy and deep green. New growth is noticeably lighter. The flowers are less than an inch wide, but very profuse in clusters. They appear in middle summer and are very fragrant, especially during warm weather. This makes them useful near windows that are also open during warm weather. It doesn't take much star jasmine to fill a home with its fragrance.
Star jasmine will grow in all but poorly drained, soggy soil. High nitrogen fertilizer will enhance vegetative growth, but may minimize bloom. They tolerate generous irrigation, but don't like to dry out.
Star jasmine is very commonly available, even at the most basically stocked nurseries, garden centers and home improvement centers. They may often be found staked, to be used as climbers.
Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be reached at 408.358.2574.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
