It should be a nice week to be outside – getting ready for the spring.

We should be getting our bigger shipment of tomatoes in by sometime this coming week. We have some now but should have more soon. Come on in to see or just call us at (520) 575-0995 to see if they’ve come in.

We’re getting ready for all things edible! Here’s a list just to name a few: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, apples, peaches, plums, figs, strawberries, artichokes, onions and the aforementioned tomatoes. And, look for seeds for spring peas, beans, melons, squash…of course don’t forget the amendments! We have the best available to give your plants and seeds the most comfortable resting – and growing – place.

It’s been a great winter. Heck, it’s felt more like spring but we don’t want to jinx it, either.
But we also want to prepare you for what’s ahead. So, there’s no time like Feb. 18 to teach you or re-inform you about growing citrus in the Tucson climate.
That’s why we are having our annual Citrus Seminar beginning at 10:30 a.m. to noon. It’s a Saturday so come on in and sit and listen to what one of our many resident experts have to say about growing and caring for citrus plants. Felicia Chapman is our girl on this one. You’ll love her easy-going, informative style when it comes to discussing citrus.
There’s a lot to know about citrus in the desert: what varieties thrive in the desert, pruning and feeding, pest control and container growing. And, so much more.
If you haven’t fed your citrus this year, please do. The time is approaching. Remember, it’s Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. But, Felicia will remind you when you’re here.
When it’s all over we’ll have citrus-tasting from the many varieties we have here in the store.

Roses galore! We’ve got them – in every color and size.
And there’s not a better place to find out how to care for them other than our annual Rose Seminar. Our resident rose expert Stephanie Thurston will be the instructor for what is typically our biggest seminar of the year.
It’ll begin at 10:30 a.m. and go to noon on Saturday – rain or shine. It’ll be the perfect time to pick yours out and ask as many questions as you can to help you take care of the rose. She’ll tell you how to feed it, prune it, water and care for it … and much, much more.
Our bare-root roses will be ready to be looked at and selected. As usual, we will take care of them until they are readied for release in March.
We have a number of varieties to choose from – as always. New varieties, too.
If you’ve been here before it’s always good to come and get a refresher course. If it’s your first time, it’s a perfect time to get all the information you need. We’re here to help.
And, yes, as usual, we’ll have refreshments!

It’s late December, and yes, it’s been a bit cold – even for Tucson standards.
Actually, too cold, if you ask me.
But in the next coming days it’s going to be spectacular. It’s the reason why many of us don’t leave the Old Pueblo. It’s going to be sunny skies, with temperatures in the mid-70s.
P-E-R-F-E-C-T!
It means only one thing: it’s also a perfect time to get out and plant some winter-hardy things.
There’s plenty out there and we have it all at Rillito Nursery. First, it’s perfect for the deciduous fruit and shade trees. And it’s also time to plant wildflower seeds – adding a little color to the spring when it comes time.
If you want color now, look to the rosemary, photinia, nandina (Heavenly Bamboo) and yellow bush daisy. All can eventually turn into large shrubs and be can be pruned to the size you eventually want. They can handle the toughest Tucson winters and the hot summers (don’t forget to water!).
And also at this time of year, there are the winter annuals: pansies, petunias, snapdragons, stock and geraniums … just to name a few.
While you’re in the store just ask us if you have any thoughts on what’s good to go right now. We have your answers.
We hope you have enjoyed the gift-giving season and getting ready for a good, safe New Year.

Hello everyone. We here at Rillito Nursery and Garden Center hope you had a wonderful and comforting Thanksgiving. As you know, we were off on Thursday getting ready for what we think will be a great holiday season.
The weather is still unseasonably great. And Christmas is just around the corner. That said, we just received our shipment of Eldarica pines. They’re the best we’ve had in some time – great living trees anywhere from 4-feet to 8-feet tall.
We’re proud of them and we know you will too once you take a look at them. They are gorgeous and full – just like a Christmas should be. And they can be planted right after the holidays.
If you aren’t looking for a Christmas tree, don’t forget we have a number of holiday trinkets and items for that special green thumb in your life. Wind chimes, pottery, fountains and much, much more.
Come on in and ask for ideas. We have plenty this holiday season.
And don’t forget, we are collecting non-perishable food items that we will be donating to our community. In November, anything we collect goes to the Community Food Bank. And in December, we are donating to ICS (Interfaith Community Services).
Next time you stop in or if you are in the area, please drop off a few
items. Our community matters to us, especially this holiday season.

If you’re a regular visitor to Rillito Nursery & Garden Center you know we do love our color. That’s L-O-V-E color.
It perks up our winter and that’ll soon be coming soon – maybe even this weekend. But if you’re in the mood for some nice red we have plenty. And we have it in the form of a Brakelights Red Yucca.
It’s a cold-hearty plant that will bloom nicely in the spring. Now’s the time to plant it. And it’s drought tolerant but will grow nicely with added water.
It’s a compact plant that will grow to about two feet – tall and wide – and hold a long bloom and looks best when bunched in a group. Get a few! Wink, wink.
There’s really nothing difficult with this one. It’s an easy-care plant, just like you like them.
You know you want one. We have plenty so come on in and check them out. Become a regular visitor, and you , too, will love the color we have at Rillito Nursery & Garden Center.

Join Rillito Nursery and Garden Center for “Herbs and Their Uses” a seminar by Dr. Jacqueline Soule, Ph.D.

Expect an enlightening discussion on Oct. 29th at Rillito Nursery as Jacqueline talks about her newest book – “Father Kino’s Herbs: Growing Them & Using Them Today.”

She’ll also speak about other herbs that were used back in the day of Father Kino. And the herbs used today.

The talk begins at 10:30 a.m., and the book signing will follow. You can purchase her book at the nursery (6303 N. La Cholla Blvd). Or call for more details, 575-0995.

Think Pink. Plant Pink!

It’s that time of year again – the Rillito Nursery & Garden Center’s Second Annual Plant Pink! Fundraiser.

It’s Saturday, Sept. 24 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Come in and say hello and help a great cause.

Purchases from a select group of items will go to the Susan G. Komen of Southern Arizona. Last year, you guys were great and we expect the same this year.

Here’s a quick look at a part of the list of items:

* Pink Supreme Carpet Roses.

* Pam’s Pink Honeysuckle.

* Cool season annuals (they will be in pink 4″ pots!).

* Hanging baskets donated from Dream With Colors.

* Cherry Dazzle Crape Myrtle.

* Pink Cloud Gaura.

* Gardner and Bloome Rose & Flower planting mix.

* Pink flowering Salvia greggii.

We will have a raffle where 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen of Southern Arizona. And free information will be provided on how to stay healthy.

Hope to see you on Sept. 24!

We’re just about there! Can you feel the cool down?
Ok, so you can’t but it’s just around the corner and we’re preparing for it just as you should. Fall flowers are now rolling into the shop. Forget the monsoons – almost on a daily occurrence these days – but soon the weather will turn into the best Tucson has to offer. In two to three weeks and you’re there. Sept. 23 is the official date.
Just recently we received our first shipment of petunias and snapdragons as we gear up for the fall. It’s always a good time in part because Tucson has its winter visitors and there’s plenty to do, particularly in the garden.
Soon, we’ll have everything you need to get started for the fall. Here are the things to look for in the coming weeks: Amazon dianthus, marigolds, petunias, double petunias, trailing petunias, dusty miller, million bells, snapdragons, spinach, swiss chard and organic herbs!!!
And, it’s very likely you’ll be able to enjoy the color of the summer flowers a little while longer. As you know here, summer doesn’t end until, well, spring begins. OK, so that’s an exaggeration, but you should get some longer life from the summer flowers in as much as it’s still hot outside.
Enjoy and come on in and get the fall flowers soon.
And don’t forget, our second annual Plant Pink event is Sept. 24. It helps raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Now is the time for Hi-Yield 38-Plus.
Why you ask? Well, this is the time of year those pesky leaf-cutter ants start doing what they do best – cut leaves. You may not see them because they are working their magic – note: their magic, not yours – at night when you’re fast asleep. You don’t realize they are chomping on your various plants until you start noticing the problem with the plant.
Why now? Well, it is monsoon season and they are getting ready for what’s ahead, stripping the leaves off so they can take them back to their nest so they can feed off the fungus later.
They particularly like the Texas Rangers, Cassias, Salvia, Palo Verdes and peppers. Keep an eye out for those.
What the Hi-Yield 38-Plus is is a mound drench. Don’t always look for the ant hill (mound) to be nearby either. It could be a distance. You’ll have to play detective and follow the leaf trail.
Follow the directions – as always – and the Hi-Yield will work its magic so the ants can’t work theirs. Come on in and ask us for it. And if you have any other questions let us know. That’s what we are here for – you.