North Creek Group Buy

I am getting a little confused keeping track of who has committed to what but here is what I am interested in based on what I think I understand!!!!

Catmint, I would be willing to share in your 1/4 flat of Aster Laevis Bluebird and 1/4 Lemon Queen if you are still interested in sharing. I would like 4 of each if possible.

My name was listed for interest in all the asclepias. But I will have to remove my name from the Asclepias currasavica since that is an annual in my climate. If it will bloom just for the summer and die out and there are a couple of extras I would be interested just to try a couple. I have never grown this variety. But I don't want to commit to a flat or part of one.

Coleup: I would definitely be interested to share in the asclepias incarnata but want to know which one or ones we are ordering since there are two incarnatas being offered. One is Ice Ballet ( which I already have one plant of and love) as well as the regular pink/purple one known as simply asclepias incarnata. I had some of that years ago and would like to add it again. I would like about 4-5 plants of each color. I really recommend the Asclepias Incarnata "Ice Ballet" because the white is not as common in gardens and this plant is a very nice average size and fits well with other perennials in the bed. The regular pink/purple one is also beautiful (about the same size, if I remember correctly) and fits well. These are all smaller than the "common" very tall asclepias.

I would also be glad to share in some asclepias tuberosa if you are still interested in sharing!

Jacob Cline is a lovely bright red that spreads to make a dynamic clump. I have to keep ripping it back to keep it under control. Actually I will probably have some to share at the swap!

This message was edited Jan 13, 2014 1:28 AM

I've consolidated information from all posts to date. Please take a look at the reserved post areas at the top of the thread for completed and partial orders. If I've captured anything incorrectly or left it off completely, please point it out. Thanks.

I think it is best to continue discussing your "mini" swaps either in d-mail or here on this thread, but for your actual tracking purposes I've set up an EARLY Spring Swap HAVE & WANTS thread. You can use your reserved space there for keeping track of the North Creek plug trades in addition to the usual plant swap trades.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1347379/

Thanks, Aspen, that is a lot easier! Great organization!!

Coleup: Based on gardadore's comments, I'd be interested in the two asclepias incarnata (Ice Ballet and the regular pink/purple asclepias incarnata) and asclepias tuberosa that you have ordered. I don't know what quantities are available.

Aspen:
--Would you please put me down for an additional full flat of Silver Gem (32)? Hopefully someone else will want some of it!
--I'd like 1/2 flat of Geranium maculatum 'Espresso' (32) -- Coleup has already requested 1/4 flat
--I'd like 1/2 flat of Helleborus Brandywine (ssg has requested 1/4 flat)
--I'd like 1/4 flat of Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline' / LP50 / catmint has requested 1/4 flat)

Thank you so much

Thanks for doing such a great job of keeping track of all this Aspen! I'll do 1/4 flat of the hellebore brandywine to make a full flat of that.

Aspen and Happy
Re: Viola 'silver gem'

Are we ordering one or two full flats of these this week?

I plan to share up to 30 of the 32 plugs in my flat as I bought retail versions last year.

Since you want 1/2 flat and Happy says she will go up to a full flat why don't you all split a flat? Then the flat I ordered can be for sharing with others who are interested in fewer than a 1/4 flat. which I will be happy to coordinate. Any unclaimed can go to Happy or you or I will up pot them. A third flat can be ordered later if there is sufficient interest. Please let's not all list the same plants to 'share' as they and I get lost in the mix. Plus, I do have more time! And fewer plants to share . Thanks.

Mountain Mints:
I have dropped my order for either kind pending reply from Greenthumb as to his supply. Thanks

Sempervirens: A belated thank you for your dry shade recommendations.

Aspen: Please add:
--1/4 flat of Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly' (50) (catmint and ric have expressed interest)
--I'll commit to up to a full flat of Carex pensylvanica (32) -- I'd be delighted if others would divide this with me. Sempervirens recommended this for full shade.
--on Heuchera Dales Strain I'll commit to a full flat of 32 -- but happy to share.
--on Meehania cordata, I'll commit to a full flat of 32 (in addition to the 1/4 flat I previously ordered)
--Amsonia 'Blue Ice' LP32 - 32 per flat -- I'll commit to a full flat
--I withdraw my interest in Amsonia tabernaemontana var salicifolia (apparently it flops)

Aspen:
--On the Mountain Mints, I'm happy to pass (see Coleup's comment, above, that she will swap for some from GT in lieu of making a purchase).
--On Meehania cordata, I'm happy to commit to anywhere between 1/2 flat and 1-1/4 flat. Whatever works. Optimal would be one full flat. No worries.

I'll make the additions/changes when I get home from work. In the meantime, see if you can access this google spreadsheet - this is the way mamajack keeps track of her co-ops.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvT-yEvT15A6dFQ5R2ctRmJySVBVWlBiR3dJakxhaGc&usp=sharing#gid=0

Aspenhill -- do you actually want us to CHANGE your spreadsheet?

I don't think that we have permission to edit.

Good! That could cause crazy chaos. Aspen, I was able to open it without any problem.

Just want for you to view only - not change. Sounds like it is working, great!

Aspen: Since I'm not sharing any of my plants, is there anyway I could pick up my order earlier, say sometime in mid April? I know I'm being a pain but 5/31 is getting pretty late in the planting season for me since a lot of these plants will be going into established beds, they may be crowded out by existing perennials. Perhaps I could be on my own order since you've already met the 350 min last year? Just a thought, thanks.

I noticed they've raised their minimum to $500 -- sounds as if they are hoping to avoid small transactions.

I feel like I missed something regarding the mountain mints. What's happening with Greenthumb?

This message was edited Jan 13, 2014 5:41 PM

I am considering the following: I might driving to Oxford, PA as soon as all the flats are ready, pick them all up, divide them with anyone who wants to meet me at Oxford at the predetermined hour. I can't make it to Lititz, PA, though, because that would make the trip too long (I'm trying to cap it at 5 hours). I could then drive to Frederick for a drop-off at Critter's (if she participates), to Luckets for a drop off with Aspen Hill, and then home to Chevy Chase, MD. Happy to stop anywhere close to that route. Ssg, terp and catmint could pick up from me. Donner could pick up from Critter. Coleup, I can't figure out how to add you on without making the day a bit too long -- I'm sorry -- but maybe you'll come west? Or wait until the swap? I can take care of any plants that I can't deliver this way, and bring them to the swap. This might be easier than adding it to swap madness, and would allow us to get the plants in the ground sooner. I'm just mulling this over, in response to Sequoiadendron4's comment. Thoughts?

Catmint: GT grows a lot of Mountain Mints, and they are fairly easy to propagate.

Happy, perhaps you missed thepost by Aspen on this thread or the other where she stated in very clear terms that she will be the only one who has direct contact with North Creek for both ordering and pick up?

I'd rather get my plants later than I'd like than not get them at all. Also, since I don't have the enterance fee myself, I don't want to in anyway jeopardize this gracious opportunity Aspen has extended to us by doing other than following her instructions and her first request to "keep it simple". I'm sure Terri would love to have her plants planted and gracing the beauty of Aspen Hill by swap time but to accommodate us she has arranged her schedule to allow as many of us who want to participate in this endeavor as possible.

A number of the plants I have yet to indicate an interest in aren't even available til mid May! Also, To be honest, we are far less capable of keeping multiple flats of diverse plants alive and thriving for a month or two than is North Creek who has the experience, set up and time to do so.

Them's my thoughts for now. Judy

Oh, here it is, in the Guidlines Terri posted first thing! Duh



This message was edited Jan 15, 2014 9:01 PM

Coleup, could you tell us more about the mountain mints? Do you know if Greenthumb usually makes these available to all MAFers and if so will he be attending the spring swap? Have you found out anything about what varieties he has?
Thanks!

Aspen: I noticed I'm on the not committed list.

I'd like to commit to purchase a full flat of the following:

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' (50)
Meehania cordata (50)

Thanks.

Coleup: That's fine -- I was just trying to help out. I assumed what AspenHill meant was that she didn't want us arriving separately at NC to pick up in dribs and drabs, but thought it would be ok for a single designee to pick up all the plants at once.

Aspen, I can't access the spreadsheet from my old computer with an outdated browser, so I appreciate what ever that can be posted here as well. No prob as I can go to lirary to see if necessary. Thanks.

Happy, you have some great plant choices! You changed to Amsonia 'Blue Ice' does that mean you want the 72 plug size as the 32 is not avail til after swap?

The 72 plug size is fine -- I didn't notice it wasn't available. Thanks for the catch, Coleup! I neglected to check availability on everything I asked for. I can go back and do that.

Edit: Geranium maculatum 'Espresso' / 32 / :
Happy 1/2; I'll take 1/4; still need another 1/4 order.

Catmint, glad to hear you're taking the remaining 1/4 of Helleborus 'Brandywine'! Now we have a fulll flat! I've read very good things about this cultivar.

Oenothera fruticosa 'Fireworks' (sundrops):
I'll take 1/4. Here's hoping someone takes the remaining 1/4!


edited again!

This message was edited Jan 15, 2014 11:42 AM

Aspen and SSG
Re: Geranium 'Expresso'
It was Happy not me who wanted 1/2 flat
So it should read
Geranium maculatum 'Espresso' / 32 / now: Happy 1/2, SSG 1/4

Sorry, I bought mine at retail last year and highly recommend. It did retain dark colored leaves which are a bit smaller and more finely cut than some other G macs. Again, should be an 'in demand' plant when people see it!

Oops, thanks for catching that! I edited my post.

TeeHee SSG but I don't want any 'expesso', not even a 1/4 flat. Someone esle will have to jump in for that. Like I said, I bought retails last year.

Any one having trouble accessing the North Creek site? I've had trouble the last two days and again this am. Grr

For the Oenothera fruticosa 'Fireworks', we have two options:
--LP50 - 50 per flat $57.50
--72 per flat $49.68
I vote we go for the former. While a bit pricier, Oenothera is easy enough to propagate, so I think it would be safest to get bigger plants, even if they cost a bit more, so we can assure viability and know we can always propagate to get more if we need them. I don't feel strongly though; the flat of 72 is almost half the price on a per plant basis.

Anyone interested in Oenothera fruticosa 'Fireworks' - 1/4 flat (12.5 plants) for $14.38? This will be interesting -- to divide a plant in half!

Ohhhhh, I get it now, Coleup! It shouldn't have taken me that long to process that. I edited my post, correctly this time!

So we need someone to take the remaining 1/4 flat of Geranium 'Espresso.'

Happy, I'd prefer the 50 LPs of Oenothera fruticosa 'Fireworks' as well. I don't trust myself to keep the little 72-count plugs alive. So with you, Catmint, and I taking on 1/4 flats, we need one more person to take the remaining 1/4 flat.

This is my first time learning about Oenothera. Fireworks is a such a pretty cultivar! I have a lot of yellow in my garden, so this should work out pretty well.

If anyone is interested in picking up some the Geranium maculatum 'Espresso', here is the information: the 1/4 flat that is available (LP32) would be 8 plants for $17.20 (just over $2 a plant). The plugs are "landscape size" -- meaning that although they are small, they can be planted directly into the ground (no need to baby them in containers). http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/plantName/Geranium-maculatum-Espresso

HaHa Happy! Maybe the extra plant should go to the 'house' for all her hosting!

Happy, are you thinking about any fern like the Christmas fern Semperviron suggested? Might be a good filler and winter spot of green for your back hill? Mine here stays green all winter and takes absolutely no care.

That's a great price on Canadian Ginger Assarum!

FYI North Creek did not offer viola 'silver gem' or phlox 'triple Play' on a wide basis last year or Asclepias' inc 'Ice Ballet' .

Please add 1 full flat of A. inc 'Ice Ballet' to my order and I will share.

Gardadore, Catmint, Happy, et al will work out the details later. Hopefully sharing can mean swapping plugs of Monarch Butterfly milkweed host