Saturday, April 30, 2011

Gardening With Friends

It was a cold and rainy day when my three long time friends and I decided to do some plant shopping, a little antiquing and of course lunch.  These plans had been in place for awhile so we did not want a little bad weather to put us off.  However, the wind was bitter and I should have worn gloves and dressed more for winter rather than spring.


Heucherella Stoplight
I spotted this plant right away in the shade section, although it will take part sun.  I only bought one because I have had Heucherella several years ago and they were not as long lived as the Villosa Heucheras.  I thought I would try this new variety, expensive.

Geranium Blue Sunrise
Again, I think it was the leaf color that caught my eye, starting out orange and turning to lime green.  This is one of the long blooming geraniums that is recommended for growing under roses, similar to Rozanne with a much more vibrant leaf color.

Shasta Daisy Banana Cream
I saw this variety last year at Home Depot but did not purchase it because it reminded me of Broadway Lights which twice has not come back for me.  I read about it and decided it was worth a try because of the color.

I finally decided to pull out the Rhus Aromatica that I have spent so much time trimming and treating over the past several years.


Ninebark Summer Wine
This is supposedly carefree and drought resistant with lots of seasonal interest.

The four of us had worked together for over three decades so we many times do more talking about all of our memories rather than shopping.  It was more than once that salespeople approached us asking if we needed help selecting a plant or a vintage item.  No, we said, we're just talking!

17 comments:

Karen said...

Eileen, some very interesting new varieties you are showing us here. I like them all.

Sounds like you had fun on your outing, nothing like good friends to make a day special.

Balisha said...

Hi Eileen,
It's always fun shopping with people who have the same interests as we do. I have a day planned like that coming up soon. We will go and pick out plants for our Church gardens and as you say...of course out to lunch.Have a nice weekend. Balisha

Lona said...

Hi Eileen. I have had my eye on those Banana Cream yellow daisies for two years now. I kept debating whether to add one to the garden since I like daisies so well. I will watch to see how yours does maybe now first. LOL! Keep me updated. I love my Heucherella Spring Symphony and it has done well for three years now. I really like your new one. The foliage is brighter and the white blooms are so pretty on it. I hope it does well for you. Have a terrific weekend. I hope it dries up and warms up for us all soon.

joey said...

Fun stuff, Eileen! Good luck. We are 2 weeks behind here too ... forsythia just started and shadblow about to break bud. But I do have lots happening ... bulbs and wildflowers. Happy May :)

Fishtail Cottage said...

Banana Creame Daisy's? how cute are those??? Thanks so much for linking up to Cottage Flora Thursday's - xxoo tracie

Diana LaMarre said...

I have never heard of Shasta Daisy Banana Cream. How interesting. I will be looking forward to seeing them in your garden this year.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Karen,

I usually do not buy one of each plant, don't know what happened except the prices were high. I feel like I am doing an experiment to see if they will flourish.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Balisha,

It was a fun day and always good to be with friends.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Lona,

I am a little gun shy about some of these new introductions that's why I only bought one of each.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Tracie,

We'll see how these new daisies do in our zone 5.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Joey,

Our weather is still up and down, not sure what I can take a chance putting in my pots yet.

Eileen

garden girl said...

Love the foliage color on the geranium. One of our Rozannes heaved over the winter and is apparently a gonner. Might have to think about 'Blue Sunrise' as its replacement.

Anonymous said...

Great post, Eileen. Friends and plant shopping are sheer delight!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi GG,

I thought I would try some of the newer geraniums, most of mine, except Rozanne, are older varieties.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Grace,

It was a fun day and some new plants.

Eileen

Indoor Fountains said...

Eileen,.

Thanks for the enlightenment. I haven't even heard of many of these varities.

Mary Anne said...

Hello Eileen:

I finally bought a few plants today.....it just has to be safe to move on!!

If you are out and about Friday or Saturday, stop by Immanual Hall and shop THE GILDED FLEA! REB has shown her face again.....a lot of garden accessories and everything else. There are 7 other venders showing their wares as well.

ox