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This past weekend was Annie’s Annuals Big Spring Party, and since my birthday was a few days ago, this was what I asked for from my family – a family ‘field-trip’ to see what it’s all about…
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And Holy Cow – what a party this was!
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Drumroll please…may I introduce Annie – the rockstar of the plant world!
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Elayne Takemoto, little ‘ol me, & Annie… With music blasting, Annie’s getting people pumped UP!!
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Here’s Susan Morrison & Claire Woods…. Elayne talking to her friend the dancing clown….
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Annie & Keeyla Meadows (author of Fearless Color Gardens) & another of Annie’s colorful employees…
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Okay – now that we’ve met most everyone (except for Kelly, who was running around the entire time…) let’s talk about the PLANTS!!!
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Annie’s is set on over 2 acres, with tons of greenhouses where they grow their babies. Everywhere you look there is table after table of treasures.
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You can see from this never-ending table of one of the HOTTEST plants of the year, ‘Tuxedo’ Ceonothus (developed by Ireland’s plantsman/miracle worker Patrick Fitzgerald), that Annie is serious about growing plants suited for our climate – not in fussy, temperature controlled green-houses.
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She’s starting ‘em out young and tough – increasing their chances of survival once planted in the ground.
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Then…as you start walking around, you realize you’re in Plant Nirvana. Their demonstration beds are amazing….take a look for yourself…
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Even the rare and elusive Nicotine Bees had a great time!
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So if you live in the Bay Area, the party continues tomorrow! And if not tomorrow, there’s another one right around the corner for Mother’s Day! And if not Mother’s Day…then I hope, at least, you’ve signed up to receive their catalog as it’s a party in itself!
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
What a wonderful place! They’ve got GREAT ideas for getting some serious excitement going. Thanks for all the photos!!!
Good job – wait – GREAT job in capturing the magic that is Annie’s . I am utterly engulfed in envy that you got to go and party in paradise. Thanks for the great coverage!!!!
LOL, the rare and elusive nicotine bees… You crack me up.
I couldn’t be more jealous of the fantastic time you all had… Only thing making me feel better is all the gorgeous photos to drool over!! Thank you for bringing me along virtually!
I’m so glad the rain held off, what a fun time! Next year for sure (Nicotine bees LOLOL!)
It was good to see you (briefly!) And I forgot to wish you a happy birthday! I hope you had a good one.
Great photo of the bee guys. I was stalking them with my camera the whole time they were at the nursery.
Wasn’t it a great day? Your photos absolutely capture the spirit and the fun!
Oh, I’m so jealous. It looks like such fun, and I wish I was there too… Thanks so much for sharing! Teresa
So jealous. If I can’t work at Annie’s I wish I at least lived closer so I could visit all the time. I am considering a move to the Bay Area and probably the number 1 reason is to be closer to this nursery!
Love, love, love the Nicotine Bees. Are they native or a variety imported from Europe. LOL. Thanks for an awesome post, your photos really capture what looked like one heck of a plant celebration.
Wow! What fun! People and plants are incredible!
Ha! I’m just glad I put in an order that arrived last Tuesday. Looks like nothing will be left after that wild party. (And, yes, the plants were very nice size, and are settling in well).
Great photos! Thanks for sharing. Too bad I can’t come for the party.
Super! thank you for taking those of us that couldn’t be there along for the party once again. I just discovered Annies earlier this spring and have already ordered from them twice. What amazing people and plants! So did you buy anything?
Well Loree and Townie…there’s always her May party – maybe then? It was quite the event, I must say! Very, very cool people. I love them all! I was a good girl and only bought 10 plants for a client: scabiosa atropurpurea ‘black’ – which look amazing with grasses. I stole this idea from Susan Morrison (thanks, Susan!). But to be honest, I have sitting on the side of my house about 15 of her other plants that I ordered a month ago, just waiting for a home in my garden! (Selago serratas and this giant yellow scabiosa-type flower). Where would we all be without Annies?
LOVE the nicotine bees! LOL~! Looks like everyone had a great time! Have fun tomorrow if you go back!
Oh I’m so glad you read it to the end to see that awesome photo! I kinda felt like sending out a teaser to folks…’best photo is at the end, people’….but I figured I’d see just who’s really reading what I write! haha….