Santa Fe Greenhouses

The unofficial last frost date in Santa Fe, New Mexico is May 15th. Some years, I ignore the frost date altogether and blithely start planting in March. This year, I heeded the warning signs of capricious weather and deferred my planting. Even four days past the frost date on Thursday, May 19th, there were snow flurries hither and yon. Today was my first visit to my favorite nursery Santa Fe Greenhouses; they also have an online store, High Country Gardens.


The first thing I do is visit the inspiration garden. I walk past the pot yard, and under the pergola to a garden retreat. Some days during the summer, if work is too hectic I will come here to gather my thoughts and sit amid the plants, flowers, and sculptures.

It's akin to going to the grocery store; I have a routine. I go look at the penstemon, salvia, then the agastache, which are generally grouped together. This year, however, the plant layout was different. I was having difficulty finding an Missouri evening primrose (oenothera macrocarpa formerly missouriensis), when one of the employees reminded me that the plants are in alphabetical order by botanical name. Ah, the alphabet what a concept!

I walk around the aisles, then hit the perennial greenhouses. What I lack in spontaneity, I make up in purchasing power. Seriously, not really - but I do try to support the local economy when I can.