Spending spree #11

What used to be my favorite local nursery got ridiculous about five years ago.

Yeah, I noticed prices rising the last few years but this just seemed outrageous. Is there real gold in that there Hakone grass????

Haven't really looked at the prices cause I didn't see anything I wanted at the time, another reason I wait for the on line garden centers to have sales

Fall is good for the nursery sales but they have limited stock. I'll take online anytime.

Yes, this year the prices seem to be higher here in Connecticut. I will have to be more selective of what I buy.

that is pretty expensive for hak grass - actually outrageous - have not noticed the pricing here although have not gone to many nurseries yet

There's a market in Newton, MA called Russos that sometimes has surprizing plant prices. Their peonies are better than mail order roots and half the price for a bigger plant, just not the fanciest cultivars, so I bought Shirley Temple and Krinkled White --big buds there.

Local garden club sales are starting this week too!

Yeah, I thought it was crazy high....especially because it was almost 50% less last year at these places. It just seems to me that everything in new england is high priced, comparatively. I know that vet care here will cost far more than just about anywhere else in the country.

Victor, the problem with online is the shipping cost, if you only need a plant or two. Kind of negates the savings. I wanted to add one more 'Fubuki' because one of my three didn't fare well this winter, and it bugged me to have two instead of a group of three. I like to support local businesses, but geez- I haven't increased MY prices for my work, so it's tough.

You have to shop around online too. Some are more reasonable on shipping.

Rosemary, I went to our town's garden club sale one year and it was such a nightmare, with the crowds. Sadly, I'd be willing to pay more not to deal with mob scenes over plants. You'll never catch me shopping on Black Friday, either! Although, my mom lives in Myrtle Beach and the Brookgreen Gardens there does a plant sale that I went to with her and it was great. Maybe I should try another town.

I like to show up either first or last. Both miss the crowds and first gets a selection while last might get free plants. The gardeners I've met at these have been very generous about sharing information too, and then if we both show up at a BBQ, there's already something to talk about. Wish I had time to do that this year!

I am thinking it's the price of gas that raised the prices. Also heating fuel.I also believe in on-line.
I just cant traipse all over looking for bargains.I would rather a few bucks more for shipping.

So true about the gas cost. I think about that when I pay for shipping.

usually you get larger plants at the local nursery - i sometimes split perennials into three's and that saves a lot verse online - hard to split a jm though :)

Verse? Dahhhling??

who you calling dahhhling!!!

Yes, prices are high for plants...I'm checking a local nursery tomorrow, usually their prices aren't too bad, and they offer beautiful annuals......on Memorial Day weekend I'll be in NH & will visit friend's Edgewater Farm....very unusual annuals...I always come home with some great salvias.....

bought 2 Weigela 'dark horse', from a garden center about 1/2 hr from me...they had more variety in plants...I stopped there because theirs was one of the displays I really like at the home and garden show
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/84156/

Hopefully it's a little taller than Midnight Wine....I wanted a 3' one and for some reason thought Midnight Wine was going to be taller...and you know me with my planning....LOL
So I had to change my ideas where they were going, in the berm or front of house with the Geum(which are HUGE btw)

Nice color on both leaves & blooms!

So I never mentioned my whole point of that story...whew I am loosing it!!!
they were 14.99 each....Fairweather was 12.95 but their shipping is crazy, but I did drive all the way down there to get them, so you do have to factor in gas...sooooo, it's about the same

Will hollyhocks do ok in a spot with only morning/early sun?

I don't think so....I have mine on the south side.....

Over $100.00 in 2 days. Duchesse de Nemours Peony, Festiva Maxima Peony,Iris germanica "Magical Encounter" Thyme, Shasta Daisy, Baptisia etc.
I had a great time!!!
I

Rose, those are two of my favorite herbacious peonies. I think you'll be on a first name basis with them soon.

Rosemary, I think it is a great idea, I will have a conversation with them on a daily basis.
Since I am making my flower beds bigger and I need to get more plants, I am thinking that I should plant them in bigger pots and bury the pots, so that I can move them easily until I get an harmonious combination.
What do you all think about that?

There's been some talk in favor of using pots at the peony site, but I think for peonies, a pot is too big and too difficult to maintain beyond the first year. I do what the peony books say, instead, and make sure if I'm going to move a peony, I move it within a year if i don't want it to refuse to bloom for a few more years, and 2 keep the pant's orienttion toward the sun the same when it's moved.

anyone ever order from here?
http://www.smokeysdaylilygardens.com/

No, never heard of them...Pixie might know....

I found them because I was looking for a flower with the name Nina in it, in honor of my mom...they have http://www.smokeysdaylilygardens.com/Itemdata.php?item=Nina Winegar
their prices seem really good

They have a large selection...of course, I liked the $75 ones! Not happening!

How about the one that is $124.95
http://smokeysdaylilygardens.com/Itemdata.php?item=Masked Marauder

Oh, yeah....I'll take it!

Jen, i've bought from them before, nice fans.

Good to hear Celeste, I fell in love with a bunch of them☺

As to moving peonies...
There was one old one by the outside faucet that DSO stepped on every spring while re-hooking up the hoses. It was also very shaded by mature shrubs. I never saw it bloom in 5 years. So finally last spring I dug it up, and it came up in 3 pieces. The big one I sent off in a trade, the 2 smaller I potted up and left in a sunny place until I found the right spot. Finally late last summer I planted them in the ground using Root Blast, heavy mulch and in full sun. This spring they are both budded! I can't wait to see what color they are!

Good luck!

Pam

Yep, old peonies prosper when they're divided. I got five where had planted one 20 years ago because i fractured it with a spade. They are tough plants!

anyone have a serious issue with ants bothering the peonies?

Ants don't hurt the peonies. They are just part of the show.

but I hate any insect "enmasse"

They pollinate the peonies.....not a problem....I stacked wood from last Oct.'s storm by the A/C, forgetting there was a peony there...it's up through the wooded & has a bud! Pam, exciting to see what yours are....