On my drive down from the Napa Valley on Monday morning, I had a little extra time, so I decided to take a circuitous route home – to visit Annie’s Annuals in Richmond. I’ve heard of this place for years but had never seen it before. If you live in northern California and visit local nurseries, you see their plant tags from time to time. So I arrived as soon as the nursery opened and couldn’t believe what I discovered.
This nursery is insane! Little plant starts as far as the eye can see, with lots of varieties of plants I’ve never seen before. Clearly this nursery deserves more time than a brief stop on the way home. There were many categories of plants with colorful signs designating each area – Grasses, Vines, Ground Covers, Succulents, Rarities, Edibles – and many others.
I had no intention of buying anything from the Edible section, as my vegetable garden is already fully planted. But of course I did. I met a cool woman in this section that said I just had to smell the ‘Wild Magic’ basil because it was the best smelling basil she had ever smelled. So I did and she was absolutely right. Of course I ending up buying some! I also bought 2 flats of back-up pole beans because it appears that the pole beans I planted in my beds are bush beans instead (a little disappointing…).
Notice the yellow circle with the bee in it on the basil sign? Annie’s identifies all of the plants that are bee friendly with that circle – another reason I bought the basil. I am so happy to help our bee population! We all need to focus on this.
Annie’s Annuals are not technically organic but they follow organic practices. They said that it’s too expensive for them to go through the designation process.
The plants I bought are a little on the small side so I’ll put them under the lamps for a couple of weeks. I also picked up a flat of beautiful blue delphinium, some of which needs to be replaced in my border garden each year. It wasn’t easy to settle on one variety because there were endless varieties to choose from.
Checking out was easy with helpful staff everywhere. Check out the view I had while the gal itemized my purchases! These beautiful end-of-aisle flower arrangements are everywhere. So inspiring and happy.
Anyone want to go on a road trip back to Annie’s Annuals with me??? I can’t wait to go back.
