OCTOBER 2008Serving You Since 1955

981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • www.aldenlane.com • (925) 447-0280

Announcements• Watch the Valley Gardener

forgreatgardeningtipswithhostJacquieWilliams-Courtrightat7:30ameveryday,repeatedonSaturday&Sundayat11am.

• Sign Up for the E-­Newsletter.Take30secondsandsignuptodayforouremailversionofthenewsletter.Go to www.aldenlane.com and follow the prompts.

• Livermore-­Amador Valley Garden Clubhaschangeditsmeetingdatetothe2ndThursdayofthemonth,sothenextmeetingwillbeThursday,October9atAlisalSchool,multipurposeroom,1454SantaRitaRoad,Pleasantonat7p.m.Ed Laivo of Dave Wilson Nurseriesisthespeaker.Edisaspecialistinfruittreesandhighdensitybackyardplanting.Guestsarewelcome.FormoreinfocallSallyat417-8809fordetails.

• TheMt. Diablo Rose Society’s meetingisthe2ndWednesdayofeachmonthat7:30p.m.attheDublinCivicCenter.Call829-4929fordetails.

Come See Us at the Alameda County

Fairgrounds at the Alameda County Fall Home

& Garden Show in Pleasanton

Dropbybooth407andsayhello!We’llbeexhibitingattheHome

and Garden ShowonOctober3rd,4thand5th.Hope to see you there!

Join us for our Annual Three Week Fall Festival!!Fun for the Whole Family begins October 11th!All the Fall Festival details inside this Newsletter!

Saturday, October 11th from 1 to 5 pm

Sunday, October 12th from 9 am to 4 pm

Awards given out at 3 pm

Alden Lane Nursery981 Alden Lane,

Livermore(925) 447-­0280

Co-­sponsored by the Mt. Diablo Rose Society and

Alden Lane NurseryPublic Entries Welcome!

Roses can be entered on Saturday, October 11th from 7 am to 10 am

Bepreparedtodelightinthesightsandfragranceofhundredsofbeautifulroses.Bringyournotepad soyou can jotdown thosevarieties you can’t livewithout.And,don’tforget,youcanpre-­order your favorites and enjoy a 20% discount through mid-­December.Seeyouthere!

Rose Show Special!We’dliketoinspireyoutoenteryourhomegrownroses.Anyonebringingacut

rosetodisplayinourAnnualRoseShowwillreceiveacoupongoodfor $5 offthepriceofANYplantinthenurseryonapurchaseof$10ormore!MustredeembyNovember30,2008.CutrosesmustbeenteredonOctober11thby10:00a.m.

Come & Enjoy Our 16th Annual Fall Rose Show

Make Alden Lane . . . Your Sustainable Landscape CenterAldenLanehasweatheredanumberofdrought

yearsandweareexpertsatwatermanagementinthelandscapeandplantselectionforwaterwisegarden-ing.WehaveassembledacollectionofplantsandusefulinformationtohelpyouestablishaCalifornianative garden (or other) drought tolerant gardenthisfall.

Nativeplantsestablisheasilywhenplantedinthefallandallowedtoroot-inoverwinter.Winterrainstakecareofwateringthefirstfewmonth.PlantscanemergefromspringnextyearinafarmoredroughttolerantconditionthanifplantedinthegroundinAprilorMay.Nextsummeryourplantswilldobestwithoccasionalwatering–andsubsequentsummers,evenless.

If“goingnative”soundsgood,cometothenurs-eryandcheckoutsomeofourfavoritevarietiestoplantincluding:

Arctostaphylos (Manzanita).Theseever-greenshrubsrangefromcreeperstofull-sizedshrubstosmalltrees.Theyproducewaxy,bell-likeflowersandfruit-liketinyapples.Mostarecharacterizedbycrookedbrancheswithsmoothredtopurplebark.Somevarietiesproducefruitthatattractbirds.

Ceanothus (Wild Lilac). Mostly evergreenshrubs, small treesandgroundcovers.Known fortheirgloriousbloomsinthespring.Colorsrangefromwhite,lightblue,skyblueanddarkerhuestoadeepvioletblue.MostflowerinMarchorApril.

Salvia clevelandii(Cleveland salvia).ThisSanDiegonativereachessixfeetinheight.Bothflowersandfoliagearearomatic.Foliageisgray-greeninappearance.ItproducesblueflowersfromMaythroughAugust.Plantinfullsun.Onceestablisheditrarelyneedswateringinthesummer.

Fremontodendron (Flannel Bush). So named for the flannel-like texture of its leaves,thishardynativedoesbestinhot,dryareaswithexcellentdrainage.Thisfastgrowingshrubhassaucer-likeflowersinvariousshadesofyellow.Excellentforhillsideplantingsorasaspecimenonceestablished,nosummerwateringrequired.

Mimulus(Monkey Flower).Thesecolorfulperennialsareavailableinyellow,orange,redandburgundycolors.Theflowersarefunnelshapedwithtwo“lips”thoughttoresembleagrinningmonkeyface.

Rhamnus californica(Coffeeberry).Thisevergreennativehaslongshinygreenleaves with dull undersides, large berriesthataregreen, turnredandfinallyblackwhenripe.“EveCase”isadense,compactform that was propagated from seedlingsandisdefinitelygardenfriendly.

Sisyrinchium (S. bellum and S. californicum).Thesegrass-likeirisrelativesaregreat inanareathatyouwouldwantnaturalized.S.bellumhasbluishtopurpleflowers that bloom in mid spring. The S.californicum has dull green leaves widerandabittallerthantheS.bellumandhasyellowflowersinMayandJune.Doeswellinpoorlydrainedsoil.

Penstemon “Blue Bedder”. Thisnativereachesaheightof1-2feetandiscappedwithlavenderorbluetublularflowers.Onceestab-lished,itneedslittletonowaterandhasbeenknowntobecomedormantundersummerdroughtstress.Willrevivewhenfallrainsarrive.

Romneya(Matilija Poppy).Thisspectacularnativeisknownforitseyecatchingflowersthatareuptonineinchesacrosswithacrepepapertexture.Thelargewhiteblossomssurroundamassofgoldenstamens,makingtheflowersveryhandsomeinarrangements.Bestuseisonhillsides,alongroadcuts,andindryareas.Toleratesvaryingsoils.Onceestablished,nosummerwateringisnecessary.

California Dreamin’Save water! Save time!

Save money!Fallisperfectplanting

timeforCalifornianativesandotherdroughttolerantplants.Oneoftheeasiestwaystoinstantlybegin

savingwateristoshrinkyourlawntojustthe

sizeyouneedforcomfortunderfootandreplace

therestwithwaterwiseplants.Letushelp

showyouhow!

So, why should we consider planting natives?AsidefromthefactthatrestoringtheflorathatmadeCalifornia“golden”isimpor-tant,thereareothermorepracticalreasonstoconsidernativeplants:

F Nativesareadaptedtoleaner,dryer,landscapesthanfoundintheaveragegarden.Hence,theydon’tneedasmuchfoodorwateronceestablished.

F Nativefloraattractsnative“critters”likebirds,beneficialinsects,andbut-terflies.

F Nativesgrowinorganicconditions,sotheneedforpesticidesdisappears.

F Nativeplantsgrowingtogetherhelptorestorethesoil;everythingfromearth-wormstobeneficialbacteriareturn.

F Finally,nativescanbeattractive.Annualwildflowers,bloomingperennials,evergreenshrubsandtreesenlivenyourgarden!

Notes for October Gardeninge

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Harvest homestead greetings from the resident nursery dog. I am Hailey, the honorable representation of a “hound at harvest”. The squirrels are storing sunflower seeds and oak tree nuts (acorns) for winter. Bright orange colored gourds on 30 foot long

vines are growing in the front circular driveway where the fallen oak once stood.

The harvest is plentiful this October. Masters Anne and Mario began scratching the dirt in April. She has coordinated the planting and growing of the garden (vegetable kennel) along with caring for the flock of chickens. Anne has been watch dog for the health of the garden triumphantly using only organically derived compost and additives to the soil. The search and rescue personnel show great excitement when they take to the field and hunt ripe, colorful produce. The 32 tomato varieties, peppers, pumpkins, gourds and a pizza garden are flourishing. Some of this produce is available to you at Alden Lane’s own farmer’s market located at the entrance of the store.

Bring your human litters to experience the fall festivities and decorations. If you’re trying to dig up a place to have a unique photo taken of your tykes, there will be locations thru out the nursery where you can stage your own grouping and capture the moment with your cameras and videos. The hay maze, scarecrow exhibition and model railroad display will be available for you to view.

There are endless opportunities to grow. For those of you growing friendships, herd your loyal pack to Valley Perks Espresso barfor coffee or a sandwich. Tables, chairs and umbrellas are located under the grand oaks for you to savor the outdoor autumn weather rekindling your relationships.

PawsforReflection:If you think dogs can’t count try putting 3 dog biscuits in your pocket, then giving Fido only 2 of them.

PhilPastoret

Hailey's Woofs

PreventAnnualBluegrassSpurge,OxalisandDandelioninyourlawn–applyMaster’s Lawn Food & Pre-­emer-­gent Weed Control.This is for lawnsthatwillnotbereseededthisfall.

Feedyourlawnmonthly.BeginapplyingMasters’ Fall & Winter Feed.It’sacriticaltimetonourishthelawnandkeepitgreenandhealthythroughthefallandwinter.Ifthelawn’snotgreenbyThanksgivingitwillbehardto“greenup”beforethewarmertemperaturesofspring.

Octoberistheidealtimetoseed or sod a new lawn or renovate an old one. Prepare the seedbed accordingtoour instructions inourbrochure.They’re freeat thenursery.Yourattentiontothesestepsreallypaysoff.Fescueblendsarethemostwaterwise.

Select and plant bulbs this month and early next.Remember to chill Hyacinth and Tulips for at least sixweeks(wecallitHollandtime).Wehaveafullcomplementofbulbvarietiesavailable.

Plant holiday favorites now.Plantholliesandotherberryproducingshrubsforwinterdecorationindoorsandout.Trypomegranatesandpersimmons forornamentalandediblefruit.

Fall is a great time for branching out!Springisn’ttheonlytimetoexpandyourlandscapinghorizons.Thecooldaysandwarmsoilofautumngivesallkindsoftrees,shrubs,andbulbsagreatstart.Andwhenyouaddalittlegreenerytothescenery,thevalueofyourhomeblossoms.Planonplantingthisfall.

Plant sweet peasfromseedortransplantsforlatewinterbloom.Chooseold-fashionedclimbingtypesornewerbushvarieties.ProtectthemfromsnailsandslugswithMaster’s Snail, Slug, and Insect Control orSluggo.

Last chance for winter vegetables from transplants.Choose six pack plants. Protect them from cabbagewormswithSafer’s Caterpillar Killer,asafebiologicalcontrol.

Fruit Tree Pre-­Order Program

Great news! If you pre-­order your fruit trees by November 12th you will receive 20% off.

Inadditiontoourfruittreelist,ourgrowerismakingtheirentirelistavailableforpre-order.ThisincludesthehardtofindMultiGraftfruittrees,orderandpre-paynowandpickupinJanuary.Quantitiesarelimitedsonowisthetimetoplanoutyourminibackyardorchardor just finallyget theonetreeyou’vealwayswanted.Pleasestopbyandpickupbothofourfruittreelistsandaskourhorticulturalexpertsallofyourfruittreequestions.

For each 100 square feet add: 5 to 8– 2 cubic ft. bags Master Gold Rush or Bumper Crop ® 5 lbs. Iron Sulfate to acidify and add iron. 10 lbs. Master Vegetable Food or Master Flower Food, Master Formula 49 can be used for ground covers. 50 lbs. Gypsum. It loosens hard soils as it adds sulfur & calcium. (An excellent addition in our heavy soil.)

Mix well with your soil to an 8" depth and water well.

Recipe for Good Garden Soil!Good Garden Soil Starts Here!!

October is Fall Festival Month At Alden Lane Nursery!!

FallFestivalisaspecialtimeofyearatAldenLaneNursery.Wecelebratetheharvestandthearrivalofautumntoourvalley.ThisyearFallFestivalweekendsare:October11th&12th,18th&19th,and25th&26th.FallFestivalhoursare11am–4pmunlessotherwiseindicated:

Every weekend all of these activities will happen: Ponyrides•PettingZoo•AppleFishing•GamesandCraftswiththeGirlScouts•FarmAnimals•CandyCart•AppleTasting•CornStalksandStrawforSale•AntiqueFarmEquipmentwiththeVanArkle/HoleFamilies•FarmersmarketwithFarmFreshApples•Pumpkins,pumpkins,&morepumpkins

Weekend #1 – October 11 & 12 JoinusforourAnnual Scarecrow Building contest.We

providetheframeandthestraw,youbringtheclothesandimagination.Choosefrom4categories.Good News Bearswillbehere!EnteryourpumpkinintheGREAT PUMPKIN GROWING CONTESTThe 16th Annual Rose Showisthisweekend,enteryourroses!

Weekend #2 — October 18 & 19 ETE Trainswithtrainsfromaroundtheworldwillbehere.Don’tmissthem!Saturday&Sundayfrom11-4pm.$1.00admissionfee.Oct.18thwillbeJosh’sfirstintheseriesofFruit Tree classesfrom11-12.$5Sunday,Oct.19thistheMoss Basket Workshop -Createabeautifulmossbasketbrimmingwithgorgeousannualsforsunorshade

location.Costis$44.00perbasket.

Weekend #3 — October 25 & 26 Joinusforthe1st Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest!Allpumpkinsmustbecarvedheretoenter.Bringanypropsyouwanttouse.Blind Dogplaystoetappingmusicfrom1-3pmonSaturday&Sunday.Come,singalong!JoinSueFordyceonSaturday,Oct.25thfrom2-5pmfor“The Painted Turtle”; anewclasstocreateagreatadditiontoanygarden,Thiscomicalrockturtlewillbrightenupanyspot.Callaheadtopayandreserveyourspace.A$45.00feeincludesallsupplies.Brian’sfamousWindow Box ClasswillbeheldonSunday,October26thfrom1-2pm.Joinouroftenrequestedclasstoputtogethera4ft.windowboxwithwindowframe,justlikethosehereatthenursery.Allproducts,plantsandinstructionareincluded.Pleasecallaheadtoreserveyourspace.Costis$164.00LastchancetoseeETETrains,11amto4pm,$1admissionfee.

Alden Lane’s Annual Scarecrow Building Contest!!October 11 & 12 from 11 – 4pmGetagrouporfamilytogether,orbuildafabulouscreationonyourownandenterourscarecrowcontest!Weprovidetheframeandthestraw;youprovidethegarnishandinspiration.

Scarecrow contest Categories:Go For the Gold:DoyouhaveafavoriteOlympicathlete?DressupyourscarecrowinthestyleofyourfavoritesportanythingyoulovedabouttheOlympicscouldbeinthiscategory!Mr. Wall E. Waste Not:Ifit’sreusedorrecycleditbelongsonthisscarecrow-howgreencanyoube?Wecan’twaittosee!Showusyourmostcreativere-use.

Traditional:Cometoahoedownonthefarm!Overalls,plaidshirts,andlotsoffarmfixinswillmakethiscategorycometolife.Garden Buddies:Anyonefromthegardeniswelcomeinthiscategory;flowers,fruits,bugstobutterflies.Ifitcanbeseeninagardenitgoesinthiscategory.ScarecrowclothingandaccessoriesmustbepickedupbyNovember2nd.AfterNovember2,allleftoverclothing,etc.willbedonatedtoalocalcharity.ThiscontestisjudgedbythepublicandawardsarepresentedonSundayOct.26at3:00pm.ScarecrowmustremainondisplayatAldenLaneuntilThursdayOctober30th.Planyourscarecrowtowithstandstrongwindsandrain!

It’s A Fall Fun Kid’s Tour!

It’s an hour of pure fun for your kids. They’lltakeaguidedtourthroughtheWalnutHullingbarn,goapplefishing,visittheFarmandthePumpkinPatchtochoosetheperfectJackO’Lanternandgetagoodiebag–allfor$8perchild.Minimumgroupsizeis15,maximumis25.Calltoreserveaspotearlyasthisbooksupquickly.

Available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays in October between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.AskforCyndeeorJacquietobook.

Orchids 101OurpopularOrchids101class

isheldeverysecondSaturdayofthemonthfrom11amto12:30pm.Wecoverabroadrangeorchidsandtheirissues,soifyouwantorchidbloomsinyourfuture,SueFordycecanhelpyoumakethathappenby

de-mystifyingtheorchidbasics.Potting,watering,humidity,light,fertilizer–younameitandwewillcoverit!OctoberclassisscheduledforOct.11thandis$10.00...and bring a friend for free!SignupattheAldenLanecashierseitherbyphone-orbetteryet-inperson!Welovetoseeyou!

Around The

Nursery

Leaf Painting Seminar

Wednesday,Oct.1at6:30pmThursday,Oct.30at6:30pm

Yourleafwilltakeabout3-4weekstocureproperlybeforepainting.Wesupplythepaints&techniquestomakeyourconcreteleafcreationstrulyamazing!Costforthepaintingseminaris$35.00.Pre-registerwithcashiers.Limitedto20people/class.

See you at the Daffodil Party!

TheNorthernCaliforniaDaffodilSociety’sBulbRafflePartywillbeheldonSunday,October26thatAldenLaneNurseryfromnoonto4p.m.Wanttoaddthenewestdaffodilvarietiesinyourspringgarden,whileatthesametimeenjoyinganafternoonofmeetingnewgardeningfriends?CometotheFallRaffle.Ifyou’renotamemberyet–youcanjoinatthedoor.Purchasearaffleticketfora$1andeachtimeyournumberiscalledyoucanselectabulb.We’llseeyouthere!

Bumpercropsandheavyharvestsawaitthosewhoattendourmonthly fruit growing seminars. Get in depth instruction ona different fruit each month, as well as techniques in pruning,diseasecontrol,andmuchmore!Wewillcovertheentire“backyardorchard”overtheyearincludinggrapes,berries,andcitrusfruits.Wewantyoutobethemostsuccessfulyoucaninachievingyourgoals of a fruitful, nutritious lifestyle. Attend multiple classestoearnyourselfa ticket to the2009FallHarvestRecipeParty,andget“AldenLaneCertified”asanofficialBackyardOrchardspecialist! Giveaway items, information hand-outs, and raffleprizeswillbeavailableateveryclass.Allclassesaretorunfrom11–12o’clockwithextratimeforQ&Aandwillcost$5(bringafriendforfree!)

Schedule of Classes:G October18:Apples/Pears&FallPruningG November15:Peaches/Nectarines&DiseaseControlG December20:NutTrees&DormantPruningG January17:Apricot/Plums/Pluots&FrostProtection/ BareRootPlantingG February:Cherries&InsectControlG March:Citrus&HomeOrchardG April:Multigrafts/“FruitSalad”Trees&FruitThinningG May:Grapes/Olives&MatureTreePruningG June:Pomegranates/Persimmons&Feeding&Soil ConditionsG July:Berries&SummerPruningG August:Figs,Guava,other&Birds,squirrels,etcG September:Espaliers&Recipes

Farmer Josh’s Fruit Tree Extravaganza!Attention All Backyard Fruit Enthusiasts…

BACKYARD ORCHARD SEMINAROctober:Apples,Pears,FallPruning,andPie!!

Here comes fall, my favorite time of year. Growing up inPennsylvania,thiswasthetimethemapleleaveswouldchange,achillcameintotheair,andwell…everyoneIknewwasouthuntingdeer,butthat’sawholeotherstory.Itwasalsotimetogoouttothecountrytothe“pick–your–own”appleorchardstogetripefruit,aswellascider,pie,applebutter,andonandon…don’tforgetthehayridestoo.Eversincethosedaysgrowingup,I’vebeenahugefanoffresheatingapples.GoldenDeliciouswasalwaysmypersonalfavorite,butIalsolikethelow-chill“California”varietiesGalaandFuji.Here,myGravensteinmakesthebestsauce,butIpreferacrisperapplelikeGalaforfresheating.

ThismonthIhopetosharewithyoumyknowledgeofgrowingAPPLESandPEARS,andmaybeafewrecipes,too!Topicswillincludevarietyselection,growingtheframework,coddlingmothcontrol, fruit thinning, and much more. Our seasonal topic forOctoberwillbeFALLPRUNING.Whattheheckisthat?I’llrevealthemysteriesofApricotdiseases,Walnutpruning,andwhyweprunecertainfruitsonlyinfall.

Mostproduceinyourlandscaperequiresatleastmonthlycareforhighqualityfruit.Do you know what your fruit trees need this month to remain fruitful and vigorous?Wewillgiveyouthelatestinformationonfruitgrowingtechniquesfromourtrainedstaff,andshowyouthehighestqualitypruningtoolsonthemarkettoday!

Join us on October 18th at 11:00 a.m.; $5.00 fee.

The Savings Continue!

All stock on hand conifers are 20% during October.Choosefrompines,spruce,cypress,arborvitaeandmoreallmonthlong.

2009 Rose Pre-Order ProgramThisisthemonthtodropbythenurseryandpickupyour2009RoseList.Pre-ordersarenowbeingtakenthruDecember15thfor

the2009seasonandwillbegivena20%discountattimeoforder.TherearelotsofnewandexcitingrosestopickfromincludingtheAARSwinners.Mostpre-orderedroseswillbeavailableforpick-upthethirdweekofDecember.

Alden Lane’s Pre-Season Rose Special - Save 20%

Order September 1st through December 15thStop by the nursery and pick up ourFREE 2009 Alden Lane Rose Handbook. Over

300 varieties are featured and we provide lots of information on fragrance, size, color andbloomfrequency.Wealsohavespecialhandoutspertainingtothefollowingtopics:ExceptionalFragrance,Cutting,DiseaseResistance,andAldenLane’sEmployeesFavoriteVarieties.Youcanalsoaccesstheselistsbygoingtoourwebsite:http://www.aldenlane.com.

What does the A.A.R.S. stamp of approval mean when it comes to roses?

AllAmericanRoseSelection(AARS)isanon-profitassociationofrosegrowersandenthusiastsdedicatedtotheintro-ductionandpromotionofexceptionalrosessince1938.EveryAARSwinningrosecompletesanextensive2yeartrialprogramintestgardenslocatedthrough-outtheUnitedStatesandrepresentingallclimatezones.Trialrosesreceiveonlyasmuchcareaswouldbegivenintheaveragegarden.Thecriteriaincludesgradingvigor,fragrance,diseaseresistance,foliage,flowerproduction,growthhabit,budandflowerformopeningandfinishingcolor,stem,andoverallvalue.

Thissophisticatedevaluationprocessresultsinanewcropofwinningroseseachyearthatyou’llwanttoincludeinyourgarden.

Here are the 2009 AARS Winners• AARS Cinco de Mayo:smokyburntredorangefloribundahasamoderatefragrance,bloomsnon-stop.Availableinbushandpatiotree.• AARS Pink Promise: softpinkandcreamhybridteawithamoderatefruityfragrance.A portion of each rose purchased will benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation.• AARS Carefree Spirit: cherryredAARSshrubrose.Prolificbloomerthatexhibitsgreatdiseaseresistance.Availableinbushand36"tree.

InadditiontotheAARSintroductionswe’veaddedsomegreatnewrosestoour2009lineup.Here’sasampling.

Here are

other great roses

for 2009!NEW from Jackson & Perkins

J & P ROSE OF THE YEAR – Sweetness: Lavendergrandiflorawithapowerfulsweetlemonfragranceandvigorousgardenperformance.

• Enchanted Evening: lavenderfloribundawithruffledbloomsthatsparkleonacompactplant.Excellentdiseaseresistanceandstrongcitrusfragrance.

• Lady Bird: coralorangehybridtea,hasalargeflowerwithtantalizingfragrance,longstemsandgreatvaselife.10%ofsalessupportsLadyBirdJohnsonWildflowerCenter.

• Light my Fire: flaminghotorangefloribundahascompactroundedhabit,isgreatforperennialbeds,containersandsmallspaces.

• Double Knock Out: cherryredbloomshastwiceasmanypetalsperflowerofotherknockoutroseswithallthesamehardinessanddiseaseresistance.

NEW from WEEKS Roses

• Legends: rubyredhybridtea.TheroseinspiredbyOprahWinfreyhaslargepetalsandblossomsthatholdtheirbrillantcolorwithamoderatefruityfragrance.

• Summer Love: softluminousyellowhybridteaonamediumroundedplant,mildlysweetfragrance.

• Shockwave: shockingyellowfloribundathatkeepsitssearingyellowtilltheend,withitsbrightsuperglossyapplegreenleavesitmakesashockingcontrast.

NEW from STAR Roses

• Spanish Sunset: brightorangefloribundaprovidesanonstopdisplayofbloomsonauniformroundedplantwithexcellentdiseaseresistance.

• Rough Royale: deepburgundybudsopentooldfashionedbrightraspberryblooms,thesturdybloomsholdupwellinheatandhaveasweetfragranceofcitrusandripeberries.

Other Great new additions

• LookforthePatio Tree Drift Roses: a24"trunkgraftedwithadriftgroundcoverrosemakesforauniquestatementintheyard.Availableincoral,peach,pink&red.

We’llhaveover300rosevarietiestoselectfrom.Socomeinandcheckoutourupdated2009 Rose List

& Rose Book,completewithcolorphotographsanddescriptionsofeach

rosewewillcarry.

From The Garden Store

Andrea’s FavesThe Elf on the Shelf

Santa shares his biggest secret—THE ELF ON THE SHELF!Yearafter year childrenandadults alikearebaffledbythemysteryofhowSantareallyknowswhoisnaughtyornice.AftermuchurgingbytheelvesandMrs.Claus,Santahas allowed his secret to be revealedby a mother-daughter writing duo intheirbook,The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition.

Thebookisbasedonanoldtraditionthe author began with her children

whentheywereyoung.Here’showitworks:

Some timeduring the

h o l i d a ys e a s o n ,

usuallyatThanks-giving,

Santasends

ascoutelftoeachhometowatchthechildren’sbehavior.TheelfgetshisChristmasmagicwhenthefamilygiveshimanameofhisown.Then,eachnightafterthekidsaretuckedinbed,theelffliestotheNorthPolewherehereportstoSantawhohadbeennaughtyornicethatday.Beforethechildrenawakentheelfhasreturnedtotheirhome,butheisobservingfromanewpost in thehouse.The children raceoutofbed todiscover theelf’snewhang-outfortheday.

Thereisoneimportantrule:childrenshouldnottouchtheelforhemightlosehismagic,thusjeopardizinganygoodreportshemayhavegivenSanta.Asthebooksays,“Pleasedonottouchme.Mymagicmightgo,andSantawon’thearallI’veseenorknow.”Thisruleinsuresthechildren’sinterestintheelfwon’twane,anditalsohelpstoteachthemself-control.Asimplereminderthat“theelfiswatching”seemstohavearemarkableeffectonerrantbehavior.

Thebeautifullyillustrated,hardboundbookisinnovativelypackagedandcomeswithitsownvintage-likepixieelfseatedonashelfinanattractivekeepsakebox.

Reliving treasured memories, as well as creating new positive familymemoriescouldbeonlyoneelfawaywiththisnew“traditioninabox.”

BULBSOctober 2008

Name: _____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

City: _______________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________

Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter online.A$45.00ValueNopurchasenecessary.Neednotbepresenttowin!DrawingtobeheldOctober31,2008.

Win A Bulb BonanzaCelebrate Spring with this Free Master’s Fall Planted Bulb Bonanza – you can win

simply by dropping your completed entry blank in the contest box at Alden Lane Nursery.

Thisbulblover’spackageincludes: 1dozenDaffodils 1dozenTulips

2packagesofSpecialty Bulbs 1dozenofAnemones

1bagMaster’s Gold RushorBumper Crop

5lb.bagofMaster’s Bulb Food

PLAnT

BULBS

nOw!!

What’s a Tillandsia?Interestingandquite

unusualthesetinytreasuresgrownaturallyintrees.Tillandsias-or“airplants”-areinthebromeliad,orpine-apple,family.Theyareversatileplants,growingeasilyindoorsorout(butmustbeprotectedfromcoldinthewin-ter).Theypreferbright,

filteredlight.Althoughtheydonothavemuchinthewayofroots,therootstheydohavearedesignedtoattachtothetreestheylivein.Theseplantstakeupwaterthroughthefinehairscoveringtheirfoliage.Theyexhibitahotpink/purple“spearhead”typeofbloom.Tillandsiascanbemountedonjustaboutany-thingusinghotglueorfishingline(magnets,shells,driftwood,etc.)Theylovemisting,butdonotletthemsitinwater.Astheygrowandbloom,theairplantswillproduce“pups”andformatightclump.Youwillenjoytheseunusualplantsforyearstocome.

Sprucing Up Your House for the

Holidays Ahead?FiddleLeafFig(ficuslyrata)addawonderful

elementofgreentosoftenanyenvironment.Tallandstately,theygrowinamultitrunk“column”withlarge,flat,brightgreenleaves.Wealsocarrytheminasingletreeform.Bothtypescomein4'andupto8'tall.Mediumlightrequirements(nofullsun)andwaterwhenalmostdry(dependingonsizeofpotandlightitreceives).Itacclimateseasilyandisversatile.PLUS-itcleansyourair!

All Fiddle Leaf Figs are on sale! 20% OFF THE MONTH OF OCTOBER!

SeeSueinthegreenhouseatAldenLaneforanyquestionsaboutthispopularandeasytogrowplantforyourhomeoroffice.

981 Alden LaneLivermore, CA 94550

(925) 447-0280Change Service Requested

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #274Livermore, CA

SPECIAL COUPONPresent This Coupon & A Canned Food Item

TO RECEIVE FREE A

IMPORTAnT!Time Critical

Please Deliver Promptly

HOW TO FIND ALDEN LANE

NURSERY

Food Donations are Optional. All donations go to local relief agencies. One coupon per family, please!

Offer Good October 1-31, 2008.

($3.99Value)

Tillandsia

Alden Lane Hours:Opendaily:8:30am-6:00pm.Beginning Nov. 2nd we will start closing at 5:00 pm