Large "factory" growers efficiently grow most of the common and less-demanding species but cannot match the quality of specialty crops produced by specialty growers. For example, factory growers market rhododendrons that were either imported from the Northwest or grown too quickly to establish a strong root system. Because of the many cultural differences between the Northwest and the Santa Clara Valley, northwestern rhodies do not easily become established here.

Rhododendrons at Bay Laurel Nursery in Scotts Valley are grown locally and slowly. They have plenty of time to become strongly rooted and do so in a climate similar to those of the Santa Clara Valley. Most importantly, Bay Laurel Nursery primarily grows cultivars that have been developed for California instead of cultivars that are popular in the Northwest. Bay Laurel's rhodies are available at various retail establishments throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and are also at the source for a brief time during the annual open house.

The open house is the most impressive display of blooming rhododendrons that I am aware of and includes azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas and pieris. I recommend it to any garden enthusiast, regardless of prior experience with rhodies. This year, the open house begins on March 27 and continues every Saturday until May 8. Azaleas and camellias will be in bloom more than rhodies during the first days of the open house, but more rhodies will be added each week to replace those which have already bloomed.

Bay Laurel Nursery is located at 1554 Bean Creek Road in Scotts Valley and will be open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the open house. Refreshments will be served by Don Foskett at the "Foskett Grille." I will be available to discuss rhodies or any other horticultural issues, except for April 24 when I will be available at Spring in Guadalupe Gardens.

Flower of the Week:
Breath of heaven

Like Good & Plenty candies, breath of heaven is available in two colors: pink, Diosma pulchrum, and white, Diosma album. (Diosma is also known as Coleonema.) Pink breath of heaven is much more popular. Both are about 5 feet tall and wide when mature, but pink breath can eventually become twice as large. I think that there is at least one low-growing cultivar that exhibits golden foliage.

The very finely textured foliage on limber stems is appealing with or without bloom. The small and very narrow leaves resemble those of heather and are very aromatic. Tiny flowers bloom most profusely during winter and spring and continue to bloom sporadically throughout the year. It seems that pink breath of heaven blooms more profusely and is more densely foliated than white breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven is resilient to neglect and may be annoyed by too much attention. It is very sensitive to root rot if irrigated too generously of if drainage is inadequate. Full sun exposure is preferred. Some shade is tolerable but will diminish bloom and foliar density. Shearing immediately after main bloom phase will enhance foliar density and confine growth.

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.