Murer House hosts 10th annual celebration with show, tours and speakers
Do camellias have scent? Yes, if they're a fragrant variety such as this High Fragrance bloom. Learn more about camellias during Camellia Day in Folsom. Debbie Arrington
Do you have any camellias left? Camellias came out extra early this year, but this late-winter favorite still has plenty of flower power – especially in the Sacramento region. (After all, Sacramento is the Camellia Capital!)
Our annual celebration of all things camellia actually starts in Folsom with this Saturday’s Camellia Day at Murer House and Gardens.
On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Murer House will host its 10th annual Camellia Day with a blossom show, self-guided tours and special speaker – Green Acres garden guru Greg Gayton.
“The public is invited to share and show single blossoms and arrangements,” say the organizers. “Ribbons will be awarded for People’s Choice and other categories.”
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., see dozens of beautiful camellias and get expert advice on how to grow your own. Members of the Camellia Society of Sacramento will be on hand to identify camellia varieties and offer tips on camellia care.
There is no charge to attend, tour Murer House or enter the camellia contest. Entries for the blossom show will be received from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Feb. 22. For information, contact Rhonda DesVoignes, bdesvoignes@comcast.net, or call the Murer House at 916-413-9231.
The Murer House and Gardens are located at 1125 Joe Murer Court, in historic Folsom, across Folsom Boulevard near historic Sutter Street. The home was built by Guiseppe Murer, an Italian immigrant who purchased the site in 1921 and constructed the home in 1925.
Details and directions: https://murerhousefoundation.org/.
By the time Murer build his house, camellias were already well established in the Sacramento region; the first shipment of camellias arrived in Sacramento in 1852! This shade-loving, drought-tolerant shrub thrives in Sacramento’s climate.
And don’t forget: The Camellia Society will host its 101st annual Sacramento Camellia Show and sale on March 1 and 2 at the Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H St., Sacramento. (More to come soon on that huge event.)
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Garden Checklist for week of March 16
Make the most of dry breaks between showers. Your garden is in high-growth mode.
* Pull weeds now! Don’t let them get started. Take a hoe and whack them as soon as they sprout.
* Prepare vegetable beds. Spade in compost and other amendments.
* Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs after bloom.
* Feed camellias at the end of their bloom cycle. Pick up browned and fallen flowers to help corral blossom blight.
* Feed citrus trees, which are now in bloom and setting fruit. To prevent sunburn and borer problems on young trees, paint the exposed portion of the trunk with diluted white latex (water-based) interior paint. Dilute the paint with an equal amount of cold water before application.
* Feed roses with a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10, the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium available in that product).
* Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs and trees after they bloom. Try using well-composted manure, spread 1-inch-thick under the tree (but avoid piling it up around the trunk). This serves as both fertilizer and mulch, retaining moisture while cutting down on weeds.
* Cut back and fertilize perennial herbs to encourage new growth.
* In the vegetable garden, transplant lettuce and cole family plants, such as cauliflower, broccoli, collards and kale.
* Seed chard and beets directly into the ground. (To speed germination, soak beet seeds overnight in room-temperature water before planting.)
* Before the mercury starts inching upward, this is your last chance to plant such annuals as pansies, violas and primroses.
* Plant summer bulbs, including gladiolus, tuberous begonias and callas. Also plant dahlia tubers.
* Shop for perennials. Many varieties are available in local nurseries and at plant events. They can be transplanted now while the weather remains relatively cool.
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