Nursery Happenings
November 2026

Posted onAnnouncements
Black hawthorn in autumn colors in MaryAnn McCrary's Redding garden, in October 2026. Photo by MaryAnn McCrary.
Black hawthorn, Crataegus douglasii, beginning to show fall color in MaryAnn McCrary's home garden in Redding in October. Photo by MaryAnn McCrary.

A big chill is here, and some of our native plants love it and are showing it by growing. I hope everyone who bought plants from us this fall is enjoying planting them and seeing them get established in a spot with much more room for their roots.    

Besides establishing habitat for the future we are establishing future advocates for the environment, through scholarships from nursery proceeds.   

Growing Dudleya cymosa ssp cymosa in the nursery in October. Photo by Maryann McCrary.
Our growing dudleyas, Dudleya cymosa ssp cymosa, also known as canyon dudleya. Photo by MaryAnn McCrary.

In the nursery, November will be a time to get to work on propagating our plants for 2027. I am setting a date on Sunday, November 8, for volunteers to help with starting cuttings at the Shasta College greenhouses, located at the Shasta College Farm at the northeast corner of campus, 11555 Old Oregon Way, Redding. 

Since the temperatures have become quite cool in the morning, I’d like to offer an afternoon session on that Sunday, November 8. We’ll start at 12:30 and finish at 2:30 p.m..      

Please let me know if you can make it by emailing shastcnps@gmail.com 

We encourage anyone interested in attending the workshop to watch THIS video on propagating Ceanothus from the UC Master Gardener Program of Mariposa County.

ANNOUNCING

A selection of our most excellent pollinator plants are 20% off through November in our online catalog https://shastacnpsshop.square.site

  • Brickellia California, an aromatic low shrub in the sunflower family
  • Calycanthus occidentalis, California buttonbush. A riparian deciduous shrub that tolerates drought & has sweet scented spherical blossoms.
  • Ceanothus cuneatus, buck brush (very low stock)
  • Ceanothus lemmonii, our local deep blue medium height California lilac
  • Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’, a fast and tall growing blue variety of California lilac
  • Chilopsis chilensis, Desert willow. A willow look-alike with catalpa-like pink flowers. Becomes a small tree or large shrub depending how it’s pruned.
  • Cornus sericea, Creek dogwood…the only thirsty species in this sale has beautiful fall colors
  • Eriogonum compositum, Arrow-leaf buckwheat makes bight yellow pom-pom flower clusters
  • Frangula californica, Coffeeberry. A favorite of birds and native bees

It is still prime time to benefit the birds, bees and butterflies and your family by adding to your own pollinator garden. Enjoy!

Mid-elevation species black hawthorn thriving in MaryAnn McCrary's Redding garden in October 2026. Photo by MaryAnn McCrary.
This mid-elevation species, black hawthorn, is proving its resilience in MaryAnn McCrary’s low-elevation garden. It is a berry-producing member of the rose family, to be available in future plant sales. Photo by MaryAnn McCrary.

Later November is time to get together with friends and relatives, so enjoy your travels and celebrations. There will be a propagation session in early December too, to be announced in December’s publications.

~ MaryAnn McCrary, Volunteer Nursery Manager