Laurie Moerdyke of Bay Laurel Nursery established the open house in the mid-1990s so that guests could visit during the peak of bloom. The nursery is otherwise not open to the public for retail but grows rhododendrons for wholesale. This event is an excellent opportunity to select rhododendrons at the source from a vast collection. Although specimens available for sale will be selected from those in bloom at the time, more cultivars will be represented than could be seen in any retail establishment. Bay Laurel Nursery grows hundreds of cultivars of rhododendrons as well as azaleas, pieris, camellias, dogwoods and Japanese maples, all of which will be sold as well.

Horticulturist Pete Moerdyke will be present to discuss issues relevant to rhododendron culture and the various cultivars, as well as some of the minor crops that he grows. I will be available to discuss any other horticultural issues. Hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments will be served by Don Foskett at the "Foskett Grille." Admission is free.

Because the open house has been becoming more popular each year, it must now continue for 21/2 weekends: April 12 and 13, April 26 and 27 and May 4. (I will be unable to attend April 26 because I will be involved with Spring in Guadalupe Gardens, which I will discuss later.) Because Bay Laurel Nursery is a large wholesale establishment that has not been designed for retail, it may be dusty, muddy or both, depending on the weather. Casual and comfortable attire is therefore recommended.

The nursery is located at 1554 Bean Creek Road in Scotts Valley. (From southbound Highway 17, turn right at Mount Hermon Road, then right at Scotts Valley Drive, then immediately left at Bean Creek and continue for 1¹/² miles.) More information may be obtained by telephoning 831.438.3999.


Flower of the Week: Flowering peach

Horticulturist Brent Green gave a "Peppermint Stick" flowering peach, Prunus persica, to his favorite client in San Luis Obispo prior to returning to Los Angeles from Cal Poly. After only a few years, the tree had grown to approximately 10 feet tall and bloomed profusely with flowers of various colors. Most flowers were white with deep pink stripes, but some stems exhibited only white flowers while others had only pink flowers and a few reddish flowers scattered throughout.

"Peppermint Stick" is the only cultivar I am familiar with that exhibits such genetic instability that flowers of such various colors can be observed on an individual specimen. Most cultivars bloom red, white or various shades of pink. Some exhibit "single" flowers, but the most popular bloom with more substantial "double" flowers. Most cultivars bloom early, but many bloom late. Trees are typically less than 15 feet tall and wide. Pendulous cultivars can become as high but do so much more slowly.

Flowering peach prefers adequate drainage, full sun exposure and cold winter weather, just as fruiting peaches do. Mildly cool weather through winter inhibits bloom. Most do not produce substantial fruit, but some are considered to be "flowering/fruiting" and are grown both for the impressive flowers and fruit. Fruiting peaches do not bloom as impressively but produce the best fruit.

Unlike fruiting peach, which is pruned only during winter, flowering peaches may be pruned severely after bloom to promote profuse branching of individual stems. Resulting thicket growth will mature through summer to bloom next spring.

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