lol Critter, I do have a favor or two I could call in on the to wholesale sales thing....it was the $300.00 minimum for initial order that slowed me (This is not at all unusual in the trade by the way) but I figure sooner or later one or more of us is going to go "hobby/business" and we'll even have our own little CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) but one for bulbs, plants, bushes, trees and flowers, from seed to plug, cuttings, bareroot, or whatever! (Remind me to tell you all about The Plant Bus that lives in my back yard)
50 astillbes is just scratching the surface if we all put our dream lists together! Anyhow, I like the Landscape Plug as it can be more forgiving to a gardener who is a little more casual and doesn't have the planting or heeling in areas totally ready when plants arrive. I'm thinking this size plug will hold for awhile and be more forgiving than bareroot or small plugs even though cost might be more. Hey, North Creek will even "custom grow"
Not saying we should or shouldn't do, but didn't want the idea and info to remain with just me. Thanks for not minding me interjecting this here,
Judy
(formerly known as "J and the Beanstalk Plant Bus", visiting a spot near you soon.)
Lily Group Buy from ADR for mid-atlantic spring swappers
Coleup, thanks for posting that link. The landscape plug sounds like it would work well for the large areas I envision planting, and with my track record the more forgiving the better. When you have lots of acreage, three to five plants at a time looks pretty forlorn in all that space. I'm in the process of getting the federal tax id number and VA business license set up for Mike for his "sole proprietor" of the water/sewer line repair subcontractor work that he is doing for a small company. It also includes landscape repair work, so I'll be able to use his business creds for wholesale landscaping purchases. I've been agonizing over how to get the quantities of my dreams without paying $8.00 - $11.00 for the perennials at the local nurseries. At those prices it is just a pipe dream, but if wholesale prices for bare root and plugs are a fraction of that cost, the dream may be able to happen sooner rather than later. North Creek had a lot of selections that would be of interest to me. They don't list any prices though, so I have no idea what the costs would be. Oh, the wheels are spinning...
Jill, sounds like a good idea to hold up on the B&D lillies. I took a look at the Touch of Nature link, and saw some that weren't available with ADR that I'd like to get. As far as the bare root perennials, I also agree that we should just try a few bags to test the waters this spring and if we have good luck, do something on a larger scale next year. With that being said, do you want to do 1 or 2 bags of Astilbe 'Ostrich' and 1 or 2 bags of Phlox 'David', or just stick with the Phlox 'David'? You know me, I'm easy with whatever...
We can certainly "test" the astilbe as well, since that seems to be another perennial a lot of us would probably want next year. So far, I think we're getting 1 bag of David (I'll check the numbers later) and 1 bag of 'Ostrich' (since Aspen said she'd take a bunch of them if they didn't "sell" with everybody else... personally, they're my least favorite variety! No clue why, as I usually love arching stems/blooms. But I'll still get 'em for you. I'm a good enabler.). Happy, do you want some of those 'Ostrich', or are you drooling over a different variety? For $1 or so apiece, I'm thinking they could be pretty scrappy little plugs and we'd still be reasonably content. I just want to see if we're going to be overjoyed! (I know I was overjoyed by the daffs I ordered in fall of 2011.)
I'm also thinking that if we wait until fall for the B&D order (we can start pre-ordering pretty soon, I think), we can get more folks on board and put together a much larger order... and their shipping "maxes out" for orders $250 and above, so the more we order the cheaper shipping will be per bulb. Make sense?
Roses, would you be OK with that? Or do you want to do a small spring order as well, so we can compare oranges to oranges in terms of bulb size / quality and decide if we want the Cadillac bulbs at Cadillac prices. :-)
I'll let y'all know what I hear from Bleek on the size of his bulbs. The "3 to 5 blooms per stem" on most of his bulb descriptions may be a clue that they are more in the 12-14 cm, maybe 14 to 16 cm range. Still a good deal at those prices. :-)
On first look at the Bleek page, the two that struck my fancy were Oriental Rose Lily Fabiola (double rose pink flowers) and Rubrum Uchida (old fashioned recurved petals like my fave Black Beauty).
I'm for waiting til fall for B&D and looking at Bert's Lilies now.
Oooh, Coleup, there's so much I want from that North Creek site... Carex grasses do so well in my clay that I'd planned on getting at least 10-15 of them this year. I didn't know where I could get them cheaply.
And those Brandywine hellebores!
Is the consensus that we won't be ordering from them this year?
Jill, I'm not interested in any more lilies, but I'd be interested in getting 3 astilbe bareroots, if you end up ordering them.
Happy, since you mentioned possibly ordering up to 25 astilbe, as did Aspen, we can add 2 bags of astilbe to our order. Let us know which one you'd like and how many you'd like for sure (12?). Then anybody who wants a couple (like SSG) can let me know which variety they'd prefer.
SSG, keep an eye on the Santa Rosa sales also. I don't know specifically about Carex, but I know they have a LOT of grasses.
With North Creek, check their "availability list." They don't have everything on their site ready to go all the time... Currently, it's a relatively short list (bet they're sold out of a lot). Although since they'll "custom grow," we could put together an order far enough in advance that we could get what we want. I don't know how far ahead that would be, but they could tell us.
Jill -- you said you weren't especially fond of the Ostridge Astilbe. Which do you especially like? Which have better foliage, for year-round interest? I have a bunch of Astilbe and they mostly grow very well, but to be honest may are still in pots, and they get moved around so much that I haven't really compared one to the next to develop a favorite. When I bought them, I hadn't understood how big the differences between different species could be. So I ordered some that were more like groundcovers (I don't recall the names right now -- I could just my notes but I'm feeling lazy) , and some that were tall and didn't spread. I'm older now, but not much wiser.
I do have a deep red one I'm very fond of -- I need to figure out which that was.
Are any tougher in the face of drought? I know they all like a lot of water....
Coleup -- do you have any idea what the Northcreek prices are, if they were to accept us as a wholesale purchaser?
Well, you know Joyanna & me... we'd probably have to try any astilbe that was pink or purple. I did put quite a few in the past couple of years, so I'd be happy to wait until next year and then hopefully start filling in around some new little shrubs & other plants that I'm putting up into that little fence row of trees along the back. I can't undertake too much planting in one season... and I've already got dozens of potted irises and now a bunch of lilies coming, plus some misc. perennials from Santa Rosa that I couldn't resist. Also, I think this will be the spring to replace a couple of fruit trees, maybe add some light-shade varieties like pawpaw and gooseberry... so I can't add "interplant the new part-shade garden area" to the list!
I do like the short astilbe.. they're a different species, which of course I can't quite remember, but I know 'Sprite' is one variety. Their foliage is just so shiny & perfect, very full & compact. Whether you want short or tall, pink or white, is just a matter of personal preference and where you're thinking of putting them. I really love them all! (except 'Ostrich'. but I will order it anyway!)
Happy, no details on North Creek prices that I can access, May call them on Mon or Tues. One of their Lanscape Arch/Designers. Claudia White, worked with Oehme in Germany and possibly here, so interesting connection for those tough as nails plants for your New American Garden hillside plant trials
They are local enough to visit and any orders can be picked up in Delaware (Oxford) rather than shipped Kinda 'on the way' to Jan's house and Spring Swap mid-May. Their company also does lots of educational outreach like the Philly Flower Show according to the Calendar tab on their home page.
Again, Once we meet the initial order threshold of $300 wholesale, orders from then on could be what ever volume or size suits our yardscaping dreams du jour. As we get more info we can start a separate thread for discussing any action plans, etc. I remain excited by the possibilities.
North Creek availability & prices... click on "availability", a link in the green left hand column on their home page... and you will get to this page: http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.availability/index.htm
You should be able to open any of the PDF files, updated in Jan. 2013.
Or am I seeing something that you can't get to??
It opened for me, Jill.
It opened for me, Jill, I did, however, find the "available" button right on the page that opened. If you scroll down a little you'll see it.
I guess I didn't see the Availability tab when I was looking at their site the other night, so now I see prices - good to know.
I would like to ask that somebody open a separate thread for it if we're going to continue discussing a spring or fall group buy from North Creek. A little off-topic is fine, but I don't want this thread to get too confusing for anybody just coming into the lily discussion.
From Bleek's sale, these are the ones that jumped out at me.
Oriental 'Hotline' (that pink picotee edge reminds me of the edge on 'Eyeliner'!)
Oriental Double 'Magic Star'
Oriental Double 'Pink Fabiola'
OT hybrid 'Robina'
Lily rubrum 'Black Beauty'
Lily rubrum 'Uchida' (B&D lists this one as a species lily, not a rubrum, but says it's easy)
-- Bleek is selling this one in sets of 2. I like to plant in 3's... anybody else want 1 1/2 sets?
Lily Tiger 'Pink' -- I'd probably order 3 sets of this one but only really want 9 (for 3 groups of 3), so LMK if anybody else wants 3
And back to ADR's list... anybody interested in OT 'Candy Club' or OT 'Nymph'?
I think I have a soft spot for OT 'Candy Club' because I looked it up in PF and saw that our LadyG grew it. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/175503/
Jill, I'd take some candy cub.
Jill, I can take 1 1/2 sets of Uchida. I'd like to have 2 sets (6 bulbs) of Black Beauty too. I missed ordering Dimensions from the ADR list, but would like to get 3 - 5 from Bleek's. Thanks.
Jill, I am modifying the quantity in my order of Bleek's lilies. Here they are all together:
Uchida 1 1/2 sets (3 bulbs)
Black Beauty 2 sets (6 bulbs)
Cona’dOr 3 sets (9 bulbs)
Startgazer 3 sets (9 bulbs)
Dimension 2 sets (10 bulbs)
Thanks.
OK, Sally-Donner, one way or another we'll get you some 'Dimension'. And thanks for sharing the 'Uchida' bags with me. I do like planting in odd numbers!
Bleek's sale does give us an easy way to add "just 3 more" without adding another bag of 25 from ADR. I'll sit down and catch up and juggle numbers this evening. I think I might need a spreadsheet after all, LOL.
OT 'Candy Club' will be officially added to our list from ADR (we'll get a little closer to 25 before I place the order for it). It's a pretty one and gets great reviews for substance (thick sturdy petals)... I think it has 'Silk Road' in its genes, so when the description says "fragrant" I think they might mean "like wow." :-)
I actually added more to my order for a garden friend who is a DG member recruited by me :-). He hasn't had much time to post anything and I volunteered to order for him :-). I will let him know that Candy Club is also available to see if he is interested in getting any.
Jill please sign me up for 3 of the Candy Club
This message was edited Feb 4, 2013 10:50 PM
Jill, please add 5 Candy Club for me. Thanks.
OK, I think I've caught up with many edits to the first post!
Donner, do you have a preference one way or another for bulbs that are available from both ADR and Bleek? For instance, I think we might be able to "fill" a second bag of 25 'Stargazer' from ADR, or you (and Chantell if she wants a few) can order them from Bleek. I'm less sure that we could "fill" a second bag of OT 'Conca d'Or', but we could try!
Jill, I have no preference either way.
Jill, sorry about all the changes. Can you please add another 1 set (5 bulbs) of Dimension for me? Thanks.
Jill,
On the ADR order, I'll add 5 of Candy Club (it looks like there are 7 left).
On the bleek order:
Fabiola - 3 sets (2 in each set = 6)
Rubrum Uchida - 5 sets (2 in each set = 10)
then add
Tiger Pink - 1 set (4 in each set = 4)
Donner, no worries about changes or additions. You're down for 3 sets (15 bulbs) from Bleek at this point. I still don't know his bulb sizes; I'll try emailing him.
Got your additions, too, Aspen/Terri. :-)
Are we pretty much done with this round of ordering from ADR? Or are there still varieties you're thinking of adding, or new people who'd like to get "in" on this? I want to have the numbers evened up by Friday or for sure by next Monday, so I can order additional bags from them Tuesday 2/12.
This is "officially" the last day to nominate more varieties from ADR for inclusion in this group buy (depending on interest), but if we have new people just seeing this... well, I'm flexible.
***
From Bleek, is anybody else looking at Oriental Double 'Magic Star'? It's another that comes 2 to a bag, and I'd like to split 3 bags with somebody so we can each have 3 bulbs to plant. But they'd be 3 for $9, not the cheapest thing going. But but but they look like double Stargazers!!
Jill -- you can put me down for anything, including the Oriental Double Magic Star.
If anyone wants more Casa Blanca, I'd be delighted to order more to get up to 25. But I doubt that'll happen. I already have some planted, so this is a want, not a need....
I haven't had time to peruse Bleek's listings, so if there are any "don't miss this one" in there, and you think of it, please order for me!
If Aspenhill doesn't want all 25 of the astilbe, I'll take some. I'm happy either way. It sounds as if Aspen wants a big drift, so she should definitely take them all if that is what she wants.
Happy, you're down for 5 Stargazers. Donner, you wanted 5 to 10 and are now down for 6 (LMK if that's not OK & I'll rejuggle). Chantell, I bumped you up 1 bulb to 6 Stargazers also.
Happy, I did put you down for 1 set of 'Hot Line' oriental lily, because you ordered 5 'Deep Impact'... I think 'Hot Line' (white, pink edge) pretty much has the reverse coloring of 'Deep Impact' (pink-red, white edge), and I'm betting they'll look great together.
Happy, my apologies... turned out that Elodie & Deep Impact were gone before you posted for them. I'll see if we can juggle numbers when we get to the "juggling" point and get you 3 bulbs.
No worries at all. Nothing I need in the least. I'm going to have way more than I'll want to plant as it is!!!! Big hug and a kiss for all your time and effort to make this work!
Aspen/Terri and Holly, on 'Elodie' and 'Deep Impact', you are now down for 3 bulbs instead of 5. But you have "dibs" on 5 if you want them, as long as you let me know by the weekend. Thanks!
Lily Oriental Trumpet Hybrid Conca d'Or
Lily Rubrum Black Beauty
Lily Trumpet Regale
Are any of the above on 'the list' for Touch of Nature?
Jill, if somebody needs a few more Elodie, feel free to reduce my quantity to 3.
3 or 5 doesn't matter to me. Will take either.
PLEASE READ -- sizing of bulbs from Touch of Nature and shipping time
I asked Bert how big the bulbs would be in his sale. He responded "Depending on the type, they vary from 10-12cm to 20-22cm"
I asked which were the huge ones?!? He said, "usually the trumpets and some years the Black Beauty."
I'm guessing the Asiatics (especially ones like Dimension that are priced at 5 bulbs per) are at the smaller end of the range.
He will ship these to me the week of March 18. So if possible, please pick them up ASAP from me in Frederick. I will "hold" them in the basement... Depending on the number, I may also be able to hold some of them in a small refrigerator (one without fruits or veggies in it)... I will do my best, but some may break dormancy. They will still be OK unless they break off during transport or planting (that single sprout is "it" for the bulb, although you can still propagate it by scaling). Again, I'll be as careful as I can, and sprouted and/or broken-tip bulbs will be distributed as evenly as possible between orders picked up at the swap in May.
Because of the shipping date, if we start getting enough interest in a variety that's also listed on ADR, I'd rather see if we can add a 25 bulb bag from ADR, because they will hold them in cold storage for us until just before the swap. (I did ask Bert about it, and he does not have cold storage at the location where these bulbs will arrive.)
So, I think we might consider adding a second bag from ADR of Asiatic hybrid lily Dimension and OT hybrid lily 'Conca d'Or'. Let me know if you're interested in ordering those (or adding to your order).
Thanks! :-)
Chantell,
L. rubrum 'Black Lily' (3/$4.20) and Trumpet Lily 'Regale' (3/$3.90) are both on Bleek's sale.
OT hybrid 'Conca d'Or' is available on both Bleek's sale and ADR, and I think we might have enough interest to order a second bag from ADR (see above post).
Jill,
With the kitchen reno, I moved the old kitchen fridge to the basement (already had extra fridge storage in the garage). It is sitting empty and can easily accomodate any bulbs that may need to be held over until the spring swap. We'll figure it out when the bulbs come in and we start sorting...
Thank you, Terri! That's a relief. I hadn't realized just how early Bert was shipping until I looked again last night. :-)