Last week I received the November newsletter from one of my favorite plant nurseries, Lotus Valley Natives. Tucked away along the South Fork American River in Coloma/Lotus Valley, this small but growing plant nursery focuses on making great native plants available for foothill and mountain landscapes.

If you’ve never been up there, it’s worth the drive just to pass through the area. Beautiful hillsides and forests, winding roads, and rustic fences give the area a bygone-era charm, and every once in a while you stumble onto a stunning panoramic view. Also in the area is Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, and of course a beautiful stretch of wild and scenic river.

The nursery is owned and operated by Mahala and Jinnah, two childhood friends who grew up in Lotus Valley and share a love of the outdoors. These two kind women are very knowledgeable about how natives can best be used, plant solutions for challenging soil types, and how to combine plants for wildlife/habitat value.

This month they also have a 25% sale on groundcovers going. Visit their website to learn more… http://www.lotusvalleynatives.com/