My Big Fat Spring Party is an opportunity to find all the unusual species grown at Annie's Annuals in one location at the source. Guests and children can also enjoy live music, raffles, games, prizes and a kid's corner—and, of course, the best Greek food in the world. During the event, the garden of Annie's colleagues Anni Jensen and Carol Manahan, located nearby, will be open to tour. My Big Fat Spring Party will be at the nursery, located at 740 Market St. in Richmond, on April 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anni and Carol's garden is at 32 Moran Ave. and closes an hour earlier.

More information can be obtained by calling 510.215.1326 or visiting www.anniesannuals.com. The website also includes articles and pictures from previous newsletters and a few that would not fit in the newsletters. "History of Roses," complete descriptions of featured "contrasting foliage plants" and a list of species best suited to either shady or very sunny locations can also be found at the website.

Incidentally, annuals—including warm-season vegetables—should be either in the garden or in the garden soon. Some garden enthusiasts prefer to install such annuals immediately after the likelihood of frost has passed. Some prefer to wait until the weather becomes warm enough to stimulate vigorous growth. I actually prefer to install tomatoes during warm weather so they can grow faster than snails can devour them. Unfortunately, I have many other chores in the garden this late. I would certainly have more time during winter, but the garden would produce less tomatoes and many more fancy French hors d'oeuvres.


Flower of the Week: Torch-lily

I first met torch-lily, Kniphofia uvaria, when I was about 5 years old. I remember it because I was fascinated that it could bloom so colorfully in such a harsh environment. I happened to notice it at the edge of San Tomas Aquino Road during very warm weather. It was in front of an old farmhouse but far from the garden or anything else green. Because it is native to an area with a climate similar to that in South Africa, it is tolerant of heat and drought. In fact, the only adversity that it could not adapt to was the front right tire of Mr. Bowers' brand-new 1972 Mercury.

Torch-lily, which is also known as red hot poker, produces long leaves in dense masses that may be 3 feet high. Foliage is not remarkable, and it kinks and folds back rather than remaining upright or arching more gracefully. Foliage that kinks lower to the soil forms lower foliar masses. Full sun exposure is preferred, but minor shade is tolerated and promotes higher foliar suspension. Leaves may be cut at the base during autumn to be replaced during winter by new ones. Otherwise, grooming of old, necrotic foliage from new foliage is quite tedious. Large specimens may be divided when the foliage is shorn. Floral stems may be cut at the base when bloom has finished.

Floral stems are typically 3 or 4 feet high but may be as high as 6 feet. Individual tubular flowers are small and pendulous but profuse in conical structures at the upper 10 inches of the floral stems. The upper flowers are usually bright yellow, with increasingly orange to red flowers lower on the stems. Various cultivars exhibit blooms of a single color, particularly white, pale yellow or orange. Several dwarf cultivars bloom on stems 2 feet tall, with considerably lower foliage. Bloom is somewhat early this year but typically occurs during spring and may be delayed until summer. The flowers are enjoyed by hummingbirds.

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408-358-2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.