Under the Solano Sun

Blog by Patricia Matteson When I turned a corner in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden in late July and found myself facing this blooming plant, the sight stopped me in my tracks! The striking contrast between the chartreuse calyxes and the electric blue blossoms blew me away. I immediately…

Article by Patricia MattesonWhy: I want to find a perennial to plant through a freesia bed that is nothing but unsightly dry leaves from April to November. Preferably something with the opposite growing/flowering season. The plants must be low, because they will be growing below an espaliered cherry tree. I…

Article by Patti BrantleyWhen summer vegetables fade, many people think gardening has to stop. In fact, the cooler months are an ideal time to grow leafy greens. Plants like lettuce, spinach, bok choy, and chard not only tolerate lower temperatures but also often taste better. Cooler weather slows bolting,…

Article by Vincent HughesDo you enjoy cooking or baking with cinnamon? Do you enjoy mixing it with drinks like apple cider? Then let me be the first to share with you that you can grow cinnamon right here in Solano County, in your own backyard! Cinnamon verum (or C. zeylanicum), known as “Ceylon…

Blog by Jenni DodiniFor those of you who have read my blogs before, you know that the first thing that I MUST do when telling the story of a new plant is to blame Toni. It seems that whenever we have an outing to practically anywhere, I come home with a plant that I know absolutely nothing about. …