Inspired Traditions

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2014
Serving You Since 1955
981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • www.aldenlane.com • (925) 447-0280
Announcements
• Watch the Valley Gardener on
CTV30 for great gardening tips with
host Jacquie Williams-Courtright
at 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday and repeated on
­Saturday at 7:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
and 4:00 p.m. & Sunday at 7:30
a.m., 11 a.m. 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• The Livermore Amador Valley
Garden Club will meet at 7 p.m.
at the Alisal Elementary School
multipurpose room, 1454 Santa
Rita Road, Pleasanton on November
13th. Mary Ann Lewis will speak
about Aesthetic Pruning. Visitors
are welcome. The Club will meet on December
11th at the Cresta Blanca North
room at the Robert Livermore
Community Center, 4444 East
Avenue, Livermore, CA. Roger and
Janie Chapin will speak on English
Gardens. Please note the different
location for the December meeting.
For more info see www.LAVGC.
org or call Bev at 925-485-7812.
• Bonsai Club meetings: 3rd
­Saturday of each month – 2 p.m. at
Alden Lane Nursery. No meeting
in December.
• The Mt. Diablo Rose Society’s
meeting is the 2nd Wednesday of
each month at 7:30 pm at the Dublin Civic Center. www.mtdiablorosesociety.org for details.  • Last Chance for the Advance
Fruit Tree Sale. You can pre book
& pre pay for your fruit trees from
now until November 9th and get a
20% discount off our 2015 fruit tree
prices. Come in a pick up a 2015
Price list and order form to select
the varieties you’ve been longing
to add to your back yard orchard.
The list and order form is available
online too – www.aldenlane.com.
• Pre-Order 2015 Roses by
­December 1st and enjoy a 20%
­DISCOUNT!
Inspired
Traditions
Holiday Open
House
November 7th, 8th, & 9th
Join us as we celebrate with our Downtown Partners. See inside for details.
P Gourmet Food Tastings -
See inside for dates and details.
P Don’t miss a Santa Photo Op for kids and pets on Saturday,
December 6th, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. FREE! Bring your camera!
Enjoy the Fragrance of Fresh-Cut Evergreens!
Decorate the house with fragrant holiday greens. Boughs of fresh
Christmas greens are great garnish for tabletops and mantels. Our first
­shipment arrives Thanksgiving week. All these greens are wonderful elements
to make garlands, swags and wreaths. Stop in and pick up fresh pre-made pieces
that are ready for you to customize with your favorite bows, cones, berries and
ornaments.
i i Alden
Lane’s Holiday Hours i i
i Closed Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2014
i Christmas Eve closing at 3 p.m.
i Closed Christmas Day, December 25, 2014
i Open December 26th – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for our Annual ­Christmas Sale
and all your gardening needs. All ­Christmas Ornaments and Décor
will be 60% OFF!
i Closed December 27th through January 1st - Happy New Year!
i Open January 2nd – 8:30 to 5 p.m.
Don’t Forget to Redeem Holiday Cash
Thanksgiving til December 24th
Progressive
Christmas Sale
Do you love shopping for
deals? We are bring back
our Progressive Christmas
Sale!!
All regularly priced
­ rnaments and Christmas
o
merchandise are included. Sale
is limited to stock on hand and,
sorry, no holds can be placed
on sale merchandise. All sales
are final on ­sale ­merchandise
and cannot be combined with
other offers.
December 21st
20% OFF
December 22nd
30% OFF
December 23rd
40% OFF
December 24th
50% OFF
December
26th
60%
OFF
Gift Giving Treasures from Alden Lane
Looking for a little something to perk up your home during the holiday season? Or
maybe something to soothe your holiday hasseled body? How about a way to say thank
you to special helpers? We have lots of suggestions! Alden Lane Nursery is a great
place to pick up those last minute holiday gifts. Think of it as ‘a quality shopping
experience’ — no lines, close in parking, sales staff that has time to help, and free gift
wrapping. When in doubt, a gift card is always well received. Consider adding a little
inspiration to the gift card with a box of fruit or a bouquet of flowers.
Great Local Holiday Gifts
Taste Treats: Alden Lane Honey • Olivina Olive Oil & Vinegar • Fontana Farms
Preserves & Sauces
Books: Historic Livermore • Holm Family Cookbook • TriValley Trails
Cyclamen For Winter Color
Brighten your winter garden with the colorful cyclamen!
Miniature Series:
Victoria Shade Series:
These cyclamen grow 8 to 10 inches tall
A truly astonishing plant – compact
and wide. They are fragrant, perfect for a
but vigorous growth habits make this
focal point, as a border and are ideal for
cyclamen a must have for the garden. It
containers. They come in the following
has white flowers that are beautifully
colors: white, red, rose, purple, pink and
crowned in violet or magenta. Leaves
flame.
are shaded with silver marbling which
­contrasts with its unique flower shape
Flame Series:
and coloring.
Their large flowers are accented by a
unique white edge on each petal. It grows
Cyclamen prefer bright shade to
up to 12 inches tall and wide. Boast ­heavily
­morning sun and like to be on the dry
silver marbled leaves with green accent
side before they are watered. Pick faded
which contrasts nicely with these flower
flowers to encourage a longer ­blooming
colors: pink, rose, red, white, wine and lilac. season. Enjoy flowers all winter into
spring.
Win This Book
“Plants and
Landscapes
for ­Summer
Dry
­Climates”
by East Bay MUD
Win A Thanksgiving
Turkey!!!
Fill out the entry blank
and drop it in the contest
box at ALDEN LANE
NURSERY
by November 16th
You may win
A FREE ­Turkey for
Thanksgiving!
(The turkey will weigh
16 lbs or more.)
$34.95 Value
Drawing to be held Dec. 20, 2014.
No purchase necessary. Need not be present to win.
Drawing to be held Nov. 17, 2014.
No purchase necessary. Need not be present to win.
East Bay MUD BOOK
THANKSGIVING TURKEY
December 2014
November 2014
Name:_______________________________________
Name:_______________________________________
Address:_____________________________________
Address:_____________________________________
City:_________________________________________
City:_________________________________________
Phone:_______________________________________
Phone:_______________________________________
Email address:_________________________________
 Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter online.
Email address:_________________________________
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Notes for November & December
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Bareroot onions arrive November 7th. Plant those
hamburger slices & cooking onions. Don’t forget to set
out garlic sets; they are ready to eat or plant.
Five to seven paper whites in a dish make a ­wonderful
house-warming gift for a friend (or for you). Choose a glass
or terra cotta container, fill it with 7 bulbs, cover with
sand, water it and watch it bloom with fragrant, white
blossoms in about six weeks.
Cut your butterfly bush back to knee-high now. It will
begin growing new foliage right away and will flush out
next spring with graceful sprays of new stems followed
by panicles of blooms next summer.
Thanksgiving marks the ideal weekend in our climate to
plant fall bulbs. Select bulbs including tulips, ­hyacinth,
muscari and narcissus, and refrigerate them until
­Thanksgiving when the weather outside has cooled. Plant
your bulbs out in the landscape to the required depth and
fertilize with Master Nursery Bulb Food. Your investment
will be rewarded with a spring flower show.
Prevent Peach Leaf Curl! Protect fruit trees and
deciduous shade trees from over wintering diseases and
pests. Use Monterey Liqui-Cop, or Bonide Liquid Copper
Spray Now (even before leaf drop). Thanksgiving, New
Year’s & Valentines are good spray date reminders.
Prune most fruit trees, roses and other leafless trees
and shrubs from December through January. ­WARNING:
Do not prune spring blooming shrubs and trees such as
lilac, quince, flowering cherry etc. until the blooming
period is over.
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Protect frost tender plants when frosts are expected.
Water deeply before an anticipated freeze. A hydrated
plant is less cold susceptible. Spray with Cloud Cover
or Freezepruf, for added protection drape frost tender
plants with Fast Start Plant Blanket Fabric. Try not to
let the covering material rest on the plant. String nonLED Christmas tree lights on your frost tender plants
when a freeze is expected. The warmth from the bulbs
will provide another measure of protection.
Poinsettias and cyclamen make wonderful hostess
gifts and thank you’s to work associates. And don’t forget
to treat yourself and decorate the home too.
Keep up your New Year’s Resolution ... join the Livermore-Amador Valley Garden Club (www.lavgc.org)
and the Mt. Diablo Rose Society (mtdiablorosesociety.
org).
Plan ahead for Strawberry Shortcake! By midmonth we’ll have all the perennial vegetables and fruits.
You can set out strawberries, rhubarb, raspberry, blackberry and many other cane fruits.
If you like asparagus, horseradish and artichokes
we’ll have starts for those too. Come by and let us help
you choose your favorites. Look for them mid-month.
Set out winter blooming annuals for a garden filled
with color. Choose primroses, pansies, Iceland poppies,
ornamental cabbage and kale. Check with the staff.
Inspiration By Invitation Seminars Save the Date! You’re Invited!
February 14, 2015
10:00 am 3:30 pm
A Great Gift of our Finest Gardening Seminars
Alden Lane features
a full day of
Seminars for
Gardening
­Enthusiasts.
Attendees will be
able to ­design their
day according to
their ­interests – & we
have lots of incredible
seminars and ­instructors to choose from!
More information will follow so check our
website for further details (www.aldenlane.com – click on Events).
This Day of Gardening Seminars would make a perfect
Holiday Gift for those special gardeners on your list, so call and
­reserve your tickets soon with our Alden Lane Cashiers (925) 447-0280. The cost is $35.00 per ticket and includes lunch.
Prepare to be INSPIRED!!
Force A Hyacinth
• Start with a special hyacinth glass
that holds the bulb above a reservoir of
water. • Suspend the bulb about 1/2" over the
water and keep in a cool, dark, dry place like
the garage (or ­preferably the ­refrigerator).
Pure, silky-white, ­filimentacious roots will
stretch out and down to fill the vase.
• After 13 weeks, (6-7 weeks if you start
with our specially
prepared hyacinth
bulbs)when the shoot
is 2 - 3" high, bring
into a warm room,
(60 - 70°). Keep in
an area with filtered
light until the shoot
turns green, and then
place in full sunlight
or bright light. Enjoy
the ­fragrance and the
bloom!
In addition to
­hyacinth, we also
have paper whites, various narcissus, &
­amaryllis, all of which can be forced to
bloom indoors. Come in and see!
“Inspired Traditions”
Holiday Open House
. . . November 7th, 8th, & 9th
It’s a season of joy & inspired ­traditions
at Alden Lane Nursery.
We are celebrating in conjunction with our downtown partners. Come
visit Alden Lane, Cooleykatz Toys,
In Between Stitches, Main Street
Designs, Outside In Etc, & ­Proctors.
Pickup a passport in advance of the event
at one of the participating stores. With
stamps from each store during the Open
House Weekend, you may enter to win
$200.00 in Gift Cards.
Angels and white winged doves crown
this beautiful tree. Sparkling and glittering
crystal and glass ornaments will add radiance
to your holiday gatherings. Adorn your holiday
table with our angels and illuminated mercury
glass trees. These beautiful pieces will ­enhance
your holiday collection and inspire new
­memories.
Step back in time, and see our Downton ­Abbey collection re-imagined by this ­popular
television series. These elegant decorations in deep red and gold celebrate a ­classic era. Top
hats, bow ties, chandeliers, champagne bottles, and beautiful replica ­jewelry like that of Mary
and Anne Crawley will leave you feeling gloriously festive!
BACON – Enough Said! If you dream of bacon
wrapped in bacon, these fun loving gifts are perfect for you! Bacon flasks,
­cocktail ­shakers, bow ties and mouse pads all celebrate our love of bacon.
It’s the season to keep calm and bake on. Come whip it up in our retro
turquoise and red kitchen. ­Cookies, ­gingerbread men, candy houses, and
­baking utensils will give you a tummy pleasing holiday.
Not to be missed are our celebrations ornaments, bird tree, gardening,
peacocks, play ball, beach tree, wine, pets and those wonderful little yellow
Minions!
Living Christmas Trees bring fragrance to
your home and beauty to your garden!
This year take advantage of our $5 off Coupon for a Living Christmas
Tree. In addition to the traditional Colorado and Alberta Spruce we will have
some lovely sheared evergreen options for your living Christmas tree. Select
from Italian Stone, Aleppo and Monterey Pines.
Clip and save this coupon for one of our Open
House Days! Join us for “Inspired Traditions”.
25% Off Any One Item
Good for in stock regularly
priced merchandise. Not valid on
Special Orders or sod. Cannot be
combined with other discounts or offers.
Valid November
7th, 8th & 9th only.
Alden Lane Nursery
One coupon per
­customer, per family.
Consider a Culinary Christmas Tree
We will have a great assortment of topiary Rosemary
to choose from: Trees, Spirals, Two Tier Poodle, and Patio
Trees. Come bring the fragrance and beauty of rosemary
home for the holidays and forever more. Keep plants on the
dry side and they will last year after year! Best for outdoor
decorating.
It’s Beginning To
Look A Lot Like Christmas!
Welcome to the cooler weather and the holidays.
It’s time to celebrate!
The most popular fragrance of the season is Aromatique’s the Smell of
Christmas. This delightful scent of cinnamon comes in candles, refresher oil,
­potpourri and room spray. Bring the joy of the season into your home for all of
your entertaining!
Aromatique’s Smell of the Tree is back in candles, refresher oils, potpourri and
room spray. It’s an enchanting mix of frosted pine
cones, nuts and evergreens with a fresh evergreen
fragrance. This scent will make everyone think
you have a fresh cut tree in your house!
Aromatique brought back Jacquie’s ­favorite
potpourri and candle line, French Mulberry. You’ll
love this delightfully luscious fragrance. It’s a just a little bit sweet with delicious tones of
fruity mulberry. It’s perfect any time of year!
When you come to visit the Garden Store, don’t forget to explore Ruthie’s Room in
the building next to Knodt’s Flowers. We have Christmas and gift items available here
and there are more houseplants to select from for your home
or gift giving.
The perfect gift for the gardener this year is a great new
book, called ‘Reimagining the California Lawn,’ coauthored by Bart O’Brien. Bart is an expert on California
native plants and with our current water concerns, this is a
­wonderful ­resource on converting lawn into low water, low
­maintenance and ­attractive plantings.
Hammond’s Candies, Abdallah Chocolates and
all kinds of holiday themed Jelly Belly’s are here. Great
­stocking stuffers or hostess gifts, these scrumptious sweets
are sure to please any age.
Don’t miss our Boutique in the Garden Store
­featuring scarves, slippers, socks and garden hats. We even
have the cute new ‘Boot Socks’ that have a lacy trim on
top that peeks out of your boots! A cozy comforting gift for
yourself or a loved one can be found here.
We have great gifts for children including a large ­assortment of Melissa and Doug
garden tools and lawn toys. The ever popular childrens’ books: ­‘Ladybug Girl’ and
Otis the Tractor are favorite titles. ­Prepare to be bowled over by cuteness!
As always, we do complimentary gift wrap for your purchases! Happy holidays!
Gourmet Food Tasting
November 15th & 16th 10 - 3
December 13th
& 14th 10 - 3
We have
some incredible
locally made
foods that make
excellent hostess
gifts. ­Beautifully
packaged and
delicious, come and taste for
yourself. Break Brittles,
Plentiful Pantry, Fontana
Farms, and more . . .
Alden Lane’s Pre-Season
Rose Special & Save 20% — Order
September 1st through December 1st
Stop by the nursery and pick up our FREE 2015 Alden
Lane Rose List. Over 250 varieties are featured and
we provide lots of information on fragrance, size, color
and bloom frequency. We also have special handouts
pertaining to the following topics: Exceptional Fragrance,
Cutting, Disease Resistance, and Alden Lane’s Employees
Favorite Varieties. You can also access these lists by going
to our website: http://www.aldenlane.com.
­
December & January are Months to Prune!
As the temperatures have typically dropped and held low for a few weeks, most deciduous trees and shrubs are
ready for their annual pruning. Alden Lane Nursery has a few helpful resources for assisting you in this sometime
overwhelming project.
Prune most fruit trees, roses, and other leafless trees and shrubs from December through January. WARNING:
DO NOT prune spring blooming shrubs and trees such as lilac, quince, and flowering cherry until the blooming
period is over.
Take advantage of a number of pruning classes scheduled in December and January. (See
our web page for a schedule.) We also have a great selection of tools and gloves and helpful
pruning books. Our web page also includes pruning diagrams for guidance.
For pruning fruit trees, pick up a copy of a very handy pruning book titled, “How to
Prune Fruit Trees & Roses” by Robert Sanford Martin. This book packs a wealth of
information into its 90 pages, covering virtually every type of fruit tree and fruiting vine
home ­gardeners will ­encounter. The book illustrates and explains in a brief format how each
type of tree ­produces fruit and what pruning is required
to help, not hinder fruit production. Every fruit tree
owner should have a copy.
Felco Pruners are our very favorite hand ­pruners.
Felco brand pruning shears are the highest quality
­pruning shears we are aware of, worldwide. They are
imported from Switzerland and are built with such quality they have been known to last for
decades. Felcos come in a variety of sizes and types (including left handed shears). We invite
you to visit our hands on display place where you can give them a test drive, and compare the feel and fit to other
pruners. After you sample a pair, we think you will want to add these to your own wish list; or you may want to buy
a pair for another gardener in your home who won’t mind if you borrow the pruners from time to time for your own
use.
Finally in the line-up of pruning aids, what can be more ­helpful than a good
pair of gardening gloves. West County Gloves offers a nice collection of well-made gloves that are comfortable and ­engineered to wear well. This
­company is a Bay Area local, beginning its life in the sports apparel ­industry. Gardening is popular across all demographics, and when ­designer/founder
(bicyclist) Beverly Schor was dissatisfied with the available ­gardening gloves,
she went to work designing her own pair. The result is practical, attractive and
comfortable.
In addition to a good general purpose gardening glove, West County also
­produces an amazing gauntlet glove that really does resist thorns. Tested
here at the Nursery, this glove will allow you to thrust your hands into rose
­pruning chores without fear of thorns tearing up your hands. We have found
the ­synthetic suede cloth completely stops thorns before reaching the skin. We
would be happy to show you a pair.
Pruning Demonstrations – Alden Lane Nursery
Please call ahead to reserve a seat for these FREE informative classes.
• Sunday, December 7th from 10 - 11:30 a.m., and ­Saturday, December 13th from 1-2:30 p.m. for Pruning Basics class. Learn the basics to shape ­deciduous trees and shrubs, prune fruit trees properly, or get any of your own
­pruning ­questions answered.
• Join us on Saturday, ­January 10th and Sunday, January 11th for our ever popular Rose Care and P
­ runing
Seminars. They will be led by Mt. Diablo Rose Society members on Saturday at 10 a.m. and the Alden Lane Staff on
Sunday at 11 a.m. They will cover proper pruning techniques, feeding, and general care as well as the best
varieties for the Valley. Call (925) 447-0280 for more information.
• Saturday, January 10th at 1 p.m., Grape Pruning with Jim Ryan, grape & wine
­consultant.
• Saturday, January 24th at 11 a.m. Last ­Pruning Basics Class. Learn
the basics to shape deciduous trees and shrubs, prune fruit trees properly,
or get any of your own pruning ­questions answered.
Heroes of the Drought!!
The golden-tan under ­watered
lawns was perhaps the most
­noticeable reminder of our ­water
restrictions over the ­summer. But
take a closer look around your
­neighborhood and you may be
­surprised to see many plants that
not only stood up to the drought, but
actually thrived on deep, infrequent
water. Here are some of the heroes
of the drought that caught our eye
this summer:
Trees
Established Oaks, Pines, Camphor,
Carob, and California Pepper trees
have proved themselves as tough as
nails. ­Olives, Chitalpa, Chaste Tree,
and Chinese Pistache also came
through the summer like champs.
Shrubs
Perennials and Accents
Evergreens that looked good all
s­ ummer include Manzanita, Indian
Hawthorn, Shiny Xylosma, Little
John Bottlebrush, Euonymus, Dwarf
Oleander, Pineapple Guava, and
Grevillea.
We also love the way Viburnums
and Mock Orange Pittosporum came
through. Fantastic, colorful ­deciduous
shrubs are Plumbago, Barberry,
Smoke Bush, Dwarf Pomegranate.
Beauties that add color and
­ ovement and fun(!) to the
m
­landscape are Gaura, some Salvias,
Lavatera, Deer Grass, California
Fuchsia, Russian Sage, Lantana,
Lavender, Lion's Tail, Buckwheat,
Yarrow and Cat Mint.
A reminder that plants must be
well rooted in to be drought ­tolerant.
This can take a year or two of
­regular, deep watering and a good
layer of mulch.
A great on-line resource for
quickly determining the water needs
of plants is the WUCOLS list: www.ucanr.edu/sites/WUCOLS.
Ground Covers
Look around and you will see
­ yoporum, Silver Carpet, Prostrate
M
Junipers, Rosemary and Cotoneaster
all performing well.
Versatile Sasanqua Camellias Bring
Colorful Flowers to the Winter Garden
One of the prettiest and most often overlooked shrubs to plant for late fall and winter color is the Camellia
­sasanqua. This cousin of the commonly planted Camellia japonica is more sun tolerant (full a.m. sun) and depending
on the ­variety makes an excellent gracefully branching ground cover or ­espaliered
shrub, informal hedge as well as a good container plant. You might also plant
­sasanquas under trees to give color to otherwise green backdrops. Some ­varieties
of Camellia sasanqua begin blooming around Thanksgiving and other varieties are
colorful at Christmas.
Early Season
Shishi Gashira. Semi-double to peony form, lovely soft pink blooms. Low
­spreader. Early season blooming.
Bonanza is a semi-double to peony from bloom of rich scarlet enriched by
­contrast of bright yellow stamen. Low spreader. Early bloomer.
Mid Season
Apple Blossom. Vivid cerise red edge the white petals of these large single
­blossoms. Lovely contrast is added by the crown of golden stamens. Upright growth
­pattern and blooms in mid season.
Jean May. Large, shell pink with double blossoms. ­Upright. Mid season bloomer.
Setsugekka. Large, semi-double blooms, white ruffled ­petals and showy yellow
stamens. Upright growth. Mid ­season.
White Doves. White semi-double to loose peony form. Spreader.
Mid season.
Late Season
Yuletide. Brilliant, fiery red, single blooms centered with
bright yellow stamens. Upright. Late blooming.
Pink Yuletide: This lovely sport from the extremely popular
red Yuletide Camellia is fragrant!! Its pink blooms are centered
with bright yellow stamens - a beautiful addition to the winter
­garden and an excellent choice for a colorful hedge, espalier or
­border shrub, privacy screen or woodland garden. Average size is
8-10' high and wide and it does take well to pruning.
YULETIDE
Zig Zag Camellia:
Looking for something new to add to
your ­collection? Camellia japonica
­‘Unryu-tsubaki’ – meaning ‘Dragon in the
Clouds’ because to the Japanese the plant looks
like a dragon climbing to the sky. This ­Camellia
makes a 45 degree turn at every node on the
stem, resulting in a bizarre maze of branches.
It has so much interest and structure and will
­definitely be the talk of the garden. Plant is upright with single flowers of rose-red.
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #274
Livermore, CA
981 Alden Lane
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 447-0280
aldenlane.com
Nursery Hours
8:30 to 5:00 Daily
Closed Thanksgiving Day!
Happy Holiday!!
IMPORTANT!
Time Critical
Please Deliver Promptly
11-12-2014
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all.
We hope you all enjoy this special time with family and friends.
SPECIAL COUPON
FOR DECEMBER
Present this Coupon & A Canned Food Item to receive
$5.00 OFF A LIVING
CHRISTMAS TREE
(VALUED AT $20 OR MORE)
Food Donations are Optional. All donations go to local relief agencies.
One coupon per family, please. Offer Good December 1-24, 2014.
SPECIAL COUPON
FOR NOVEMBER
Present this Coupon & A Canned Food Item
to Receive
$1.00 off A HOUSEPLANT
OF YOUR CHOICE
Food Donations are Optional. All donations go to local relief agencies.
One coupon per family, please. Offer Good November 1-30, 2014.
HOW TO FIND
ALDEN LANE
NURSERY