One of my favorite things about Master Gardeners is that I’m now part of a gardening community that stretches across the county. Through this network, I recently read about a sale of a native plant in a San Diego wholesale nursery. A large-scale landscaping project recently fell through for them, and the nursery ended up with 1,000 California fuschia which they are selling for cheap to the public. I decided to pick up a few for my house, a couple more for the elementary school garden, and yet a few more for the garden at the junior high. I put the word out, and one neighbor asked me to pick up 7..another asked for 10….one more asked for 3….. And so today Elliot and I happily loaded up the van with 35 epilobium canum.
It’s a cool plant because 1) it’s a California native that requires minimal water once established, 2) it’s good for hillsides which are features at both my house and the school garden, and 3) its beautiful orange flowers attract hummingbirds. I had fun driving around my town tonight, making my plant deliveries, chatting with friends in the dwindling light of a perfect summer evening, and savoring this sweet example of gardening in community.
What's not to like? 
I love the fuschias–every once in awhile I encounter one while out walking. This might be a good addition to the church’s gardens, too!
Dawn
Next time I get a good lead on a cheap plant (these opportunities happen more regularly now through the Master Gardener network) I’ll try to remember to check in with you to see if the church wants one..or two…
I think I have this. If this is the same plant BEWARE! Highly invasive through a rambling root system. Stop by some time, Tricia, and compare….
Hey gardening neighbor. Thanks for the feedback, and for reading the blog in the first place. 🙂 Your response prompted me to do some reading because I always though that by definition an invasive was an aggressive “exotic” plant that threatened natives. Then I looked it up and read that “some species” (didn’t say which) of epilobium could be invasive, so don’t plant them in a formal garden where you fear they could overtake over plants. So I think for my purposes, they’ll be ok—I am hoping they will spread quickly to the bare hillsides I have in mind! What has your experience been?
love this Tricia! lasting flower deliveries…
Thanks! You know….I plan to bring back the May Day tradition of my youth this spring with friends.
T,
Hawk boy protecting the Fuschia…..dad
He was the best little helper all day on my errands!