What Could Be Better?

I asked myself this question as I drove to meet a group of fellow gardeners.  We all volunteer for the University of Illinois Extension Services and are as different as the plants in our gardens.  Two are expert vegetable gardeners, one great with trees and shrubbery, one with a botanical background who keeps taking all of those additional botany courses, me with a love of perennials, design and containers and last but not least, one with a design ability with perennials and annuals for town home properties.

Dicentra Spectablis Red Valentine

Before I purchase more plants I need to be aware of space.  I just added the Red Valentines to the north side of my home.  They are deeper colored than the pink varieties, bought at Home Depot for $8.99 each.

Of course lunch is the big priority and we are going to a place that can be either breakfast or lunch.  I have never been a fan of breakfast food (would love a ham sandwich with coffee) so I will be ordering lunch.

Then on to one of our favorite plant stops where two of our U of I volunteers work, have also invited them to eat with us.  I can't wait to show you some of the new introductions at least new for my garden.

I really wanted to buy this bergenia but hesitated because the leaves have always browned for me at my previous home, I resisted.

Dicentra Spectablis Goldheart

I could not pass this one up as it is a focal point in the spring garden.

I did not purchase any of these but what a great display.

These deep magenta shooting stars were lovely, but I passed on these also.

Geranium Bob's Blunder

I could not resist this one, great reports from other bloggers, leaf color and blooms throughout the seasons.

Panicum Shenendoah

This is a smaller grass that I bought for my back border where there is so little fall and winter interest.  Make sure you see some red veining so that this grass will preform true to form, supposedly beautiful red tones in the summer.



Cimicifuga ramosa Artopurpurea

I did buy this one to go with two others that I have next to the fence in the back border.  It is shady back there and sunnier in the front, like two different situations.  They are wonderful in August and September with white fluffy flowers.

Hakonechloa macra aureola

I really wanted to put it here by the pathway but I think there may be too much sun in this area, have to rethink this one.

This is Ajuga Chocolate Chip on the same pathway, one plant, gone wild this year.

Brunnera Angel Wings on the same path, not too sure about this one a couple of weeks ago, but I have changed my mind, love it!

Heuchera Miracle

I took a chance on this one last fall because it said "Sun", but had none of this great veining showing.  I am loving this one also!

Oh well, I had better be careful what I buy, can I find more room in my small garden?  It seems like I always do!

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!

The Hunt Is Over!

As I pulled out the plants from my back concrete planters, they came out like a plaster object from a mold.  Dirt and all with fully tangled roots were inseparable so into the yard waste bag they went.  I was determined to find my cabbages today and a few other goodies that would add to the fall effect.

My first stop was Home Depot because I always check them out first just in case a new truckload has arrived.  No cabbages yet - I can't believe it!  But, they had lots of other plants and look at the prices, unbelievable!

Agastache Blue Fortune

5 Gallon Container $12.98

Volcano Phlox

I did not know much about Volcano Phlox, but I am finding out it is a special variety because of its floriforus nature and resistance to mildew.  Here is the link giving the history and attributes of Volcano Phlox. http://www.tesselaar.com/plants/volcanophlox/

Sedum Autumn Fire (does not flop)

Heuchera Southern Comfort (can you believe $4.98)

Mona Lavender

I bought this a few years ago, very lovely, can't see from a few feet away - it's an up close plant!

Asters

Huge pots of Millet for $6.98

Just remember the birds will sit in it until it is all gone!

Knockout Roses

$9.98

A Wall of Caladiums

These will not hold up in cool weather

This looked like a great daylily for $4.98

Diamond Frost Euphorbia

This is an annual but will hold up to the colder weather $2.98, can be brought in the house to pair with pointsettas.

I bought two great looking perennial Rudbeckia Denver and Sedum Vera Jameson which will make great additions to the planters.  I always add some perennials and then in late November winter them over in the veggie garden.  So far, I am been very lucky having them take root this late in the season.  The cabbage is an ornamental annual, but that's okay because they will last until December if you can leave it alone.

Rudbeckia Denver

$4.98

Sedum Vera Jameson

$4.98

My next stop was a small garden center/nursery near my home.  They grow many decorative flowers (pointsettas, lilies, etc) and annuals in their greenhouses, some perennials.  I got talking to one of workers that I have known for years and didn't take any pictures.  But, guess what - I found the cabbages, big ones, little ones, yeah!

Well, I was really in the mood now to complete my design so onward to the next family owned garden center.  This one does not grow any of their plants, but they are knowledgeable and stock high quality materials.  This is the center that has their own garden show each year with reps from all the nurseries who supply their center.

Wow!  Look at the size of these mums!

Swiss Chard

I had to have some of this.

Orange Pansies

I had to have these also.

Bronze Sedge

How spooky - can you see this on top of a pumpkin?

I bought it!

Petunia Black Velvet

Decorative Peppers

They do not hold up to the cool weather.

The pots are still one of the best attractions at this Garden Center.

There are lots more inside.

What I have noticed is that the nurseries and boutique-type garden centers are finally trying to compete with the big box stores.  They all order from the same suppliers at this point, Proven Winners, Hampshire Farms, etc.  These are automated growers with the planting, watering and fertilization being done by computer. 

Home Depot has not bought plants with their own money for the last few years.  All of their plants are on consignment with employees from the growers actually working at Home Depot.  This way they control their losses and the supplier has a stake in keeping everything in good condition.

My conclusion is that I think there is a place for all of these different types of plant destinations.  If you are a seasoned gardener I see no reason why you cannot shop the big garden centers and look for bargains.  If you are somewhat knowledgeable shop your garden center and semi-nursery with knowledgeable staff.  If you are a beginner start out with a growing nursery where they have a knowledgeable staff, and grow most of their own plant material and understand the requirements for each plant.

One factor that I feel is very important is to ask what is your guarantee?  Home Depot offers a 100% guarantee on all of their plants for a year.  There are some nurseries that offer no guarantee, some offer 50% and some offer 100% non-advertised guarantee, only if you ask.

A Sunday Cabbage Hunt

Well, I was not just looking for cabbages but I thought that if I could find a few more of my Let's Dance Hydrangeas at one of my favorite nurseries I would also pick up some large decorative cabbages.  My concrete planters in the back of my home have put on quite a show this season, but they just couldn't keep up with that western sun in the afternoon.  They look really spent so I thought I would just put in some cabbages if I could find them.

There are areas of containers, benches and fencing throughout the entire nursery.

Well, we arrived mid morning and hardly anyone was there so one of the salespeople spent quite a bit of time with me trying to find a plant that would replace the one I had asked for  (which they didn't have).  I finally thanked her for all of her time and expertise and went in search of my cabbages.  I spotted a frilly tall one in a container but was told this was the only one they have received so far.

I love these tall pots in the middle of a very casual garden.  They are unexpected because they look so modern and streamlined.  A garden should always have something unexpected!

More great containers and ironwork

Mums were on two long tables, tightly budded and from a Minnesota grower.  They looked wonderful, softly mounded and just a peek of the color ready to explode.  I dismissed them because I know if this weather continues mums will be a plant of the past by mid September.

This was a great display of Miscanthus, plenty of room!

I have frequented this nursery for the past twenty-five years, and it is a nursery, as they grow most of their own plants further west and truck them into this location.  They also buy some of their shrubbery and perennial stock from Proven Winners and of, course, their annuals are also bought from a distributor.  Although, they do grow some unusual annuals each year like Amaranthus, Love Lies Bleeding and Nicotiana Alata and many others that are difficult to start from seed.

There were many gardens labeled with the types of plants that would do well under certain conditions.

Pond Plants

Great dog items in both concrete and ironwork

I have purchased decorative iron fencing here as they are one of the few places that I have found locally that stocks a wide array of fencing, arbors and gazebos.  No cabbages this weekend but it gives me an excuse for another garden trip next week!