It is that time of the year again: I hear the screech of brakes on the street followed by excited voices. I know that some gardeners have turned onto our street and unexpectedly found themselves faced with my Phylica pubescens in full bloom. I head out to tell them what they are looking at, and no, although it is from South Africa, it is not a Protea. Hard to see, but is related to our California Ceanothus. The gardeners run their hands up over the silky stems and flowers, and I can feel the plant lust overtaking them. "Where can I get this?" they say. "Do you have it at the nursery?" Until now I used to say: " Uh, sorry, no. It is very hard to propagate - I am still working on it." Although starting to bloom in January, the Phylica still looks great in April. At my Open Garden Day last year, I eventually put a sign up next to the plant, telling what it was and no you can't have it. People still sought me out and said: "That feathery plant in the front - I know you say we can't get it, but ...” Hopeful silence.

I enjoy growing plants for people and when I fail, I feel bad. I got my original plant five years ago when I started working at Annie's. We had gotten some seed from England, one plant came up and I took it home to my young garden. It grew rapidly on no additional water and before it even bloomed I knew I had something special. The rain drops would collect on the fuzz and the whole plant would shimmer. When it started blooming I was speechless. I was now on a mission: I was going to grow this plant for our customers. Seed was ordered but the results were disappointing. I tried all my regular propagation tricks of gibberelic acid and smoke water, I even burned pine needles on them, but to no avail. Cuttings were taken but they would only callous, not root. Now I finally know what it wants: A quick blast in the kitchen oven, imitating a fire in its natural habitat. I was on the right track with the pine needles, but they got too hot.

SO WE FINALLY HAVE PHYLICAS! Not a lot (I still need to fine tune the methods), but enough to offer. They will only be available at our nursery and I recommend you call or email to reserve a plant. One plant per person, please.

I am so happy I won't have to go through another Spring sounding like a broken record. Yes, you can have one.