Find hundreds of unusual, colorful shade-loving plants at free event
Nature's an endlessly fascinating designer, especially when it comes to leaves of rex begonias like the one here. See plenty of gorgeous plants at the annual American Begonia Society Show and Sale this weekend. Photo courtesy Sacramento Branch of the American Begonia Society
This weekend (Sept. 9 and 10) is all about begonias as the Joan Coulat Sacramento Branch of the American Begonia Society celebrates its 75th anniversary show and sale at Shepard Garden and Arts Center in McKinley Park.
With a nod to its milestone, the show’s theme is “Diamonds in the Shade.” In their diverse foliage and flower forms, begonias are true garden gems that thrive in Sacramento shade.
Open free to the public, the show highlights gorgeous specimen plants grown by club members. It’s also an opportunity to get expert advice on how to nurture these plants in your own garden.
The club’s annual fundraiser, the sale is always a huge draw, featuring hundreds of unusual and eye-catching plants. Club members go to great efforts to offer begonias not available from local sources.
In particular, find a great selection of rex begonias with foliage in a rainbow of colors and patterns. (They’re called “painted begonias” because each leaf looks like a living masterpiece.) Some even shimmer with a silvery patina.
Besides the amazing rex begonias, the sale features cane-type “Angel Wing” begonias as well as rhizomatous-type begonias and mini-begonias that prefer life in terrariums.
Show and sale hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. Come early for the best selection.
Shepard Center is located at 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento.
Details and directions: www.sgaac.org.
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Garden Checklist for week of May 5
Survey your garden after the May 4 rainstorm. Heavy rain and gusty winds can break the neck of large flowers such as roses. Also:
* Keep an eye on new transplants or seedlings; they could take a pounding from the rain.
* Watch out for powdery mildew. Warmth following moist conditions can cause this fungal disease to “bloom,” too. If you see a leaf that looks like it’s dusted with powdered sugar, snip it off.
* After the storm, start setting out tomato transplants, but wait on the peppers and eggplants (they want warmer nights). Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.
* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.
* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.
* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.
* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash.
* Plant onion sets.
* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias. Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.
* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.
* Don’t wait; plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.
* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.
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