Lunch and a plant nursery in Caledonia…Michigan

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At this time of year, it’s such a pleasant experience to sit outside and eat lunch.  Uccellos in Caledonia was perfect for this Wednesday’s lunch! The large umbrellas shaded us perfectly.  It was perfect day for pizza and salad! 




We shared a large slice of lemon cake which was deliciously sweet and satisfying but could have used a bit more lemon favor!

 


We  went Cherry Valley Gardens this week where R and her daughter carefully picked out petunias for the church gardens.  Color combinations are important and the right shade of bright pink or other color must match the palette she has chosen for this year’s garden. She is a perfectionist.  The gardens are always beautiful and bright!  Other colors will be added later! She also found two beautiful shades of “pink” geraniums and a wonderfully bright flat of yellow marigolds.  

Meanwhile, I wandered over to the perennial section. I love hostas and the selection here was not disappointing BUT as tempted as I was, I had decided a awhile ago, the only hosta I would add to my extensive collection, was the “hosta of the year”. Each year since 1997, the American Hosta Growers Association has chosen a hosta of the year and I have them all except for the last three years. I have not been able to find a local source for them.  I’m looking for H. Neptune, H. Miniskirt and H.Skywriter!  I was disappointed! I’ll keep looking! 

I am also looking for a plant called Spigelia Marylandica or its common name , Indian Pink. It is a pretty plant with red and yellow flowers that look awesome in large bunches. It is also supposed to be quite deer resistant... nothing is deer proof LOL.  

 I found one a week ago at another nursery-  only $30 !! That was too much for me for a plant I just wanted to try out.  Here at Cherry Valley it was only $15.  I could not resist.  

I also found a stunning white columbine which had flowers that stand up and out versus the common columbine flowers that hang down.  (IYKYK). Deer don’t like columbines either. 




To top off my visit to this nursery I also found a fern-leaf bleeding heart with white flowers! I have three other bleeding hearts in my yard that deer do not eat. I'm hoping that this one is also not to their liking.



 





The deer can find things to eat in other yards!!




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