Growing New in 2008 Pt. 2

Decoration Day is now called Memorial Day. Before it was renamed it was called Decoration Day because people actually honored those who gave their lives for this country and people would go to cemeteries to adorn the graves with flowers. Some nice people still do it as a minor token of affection and appreciation.

There is a folk art custom in communities in the South, and to the west, of decorating graves in folk art commemoratives that goes way beyond flowers. There are actual events in some isolated communities that bring families together, in reunions, from hundreds of miles every year. They are reunions of mass commemorative art. Some of the art is for the moment and some lasts for decades. Some is endangered. Gloria might know about this as there is a movement to preserve those cemeteries that have historic markers and families that carry on the tradition. I have an interest in this type of memorial art and am looking for information as to how wide spread it is beyond the South and if it exists west of Arkansas. I am looking for isolated communities that actually decorate graves. Do they do that where you are? If so, I'd really be interested in knowing.

Thanks,
Laurel

Sounds interesting. Reminds me of the little cemeteries in the Southwest and Central America

I ordered 2 Magnolia Tree's from Rarefind Nursery....this was my first order from them ever. The order was placed at the end of March-first of April for Magnolia 'Stella Aclaim' and 'Flamingo' with instructions to deliver mid-May. Tuesday when I had not recieved shipping conformation for them I called at 8am......they hadn't shipped but the gentleman did not know why, said he's call me back in an hour or two. I waited until 4pm, when he didn't call me back I called them but got a woman this time. After a few minutes of her looking my order up and sighing in my ear about the gentleman not telling her anything this morning when she came in....she finally found the paper work and assured me they would be shipped out on Wed. An hour later the gentleman called me and stated the same thing.....they would be shipped out the next morning. (Wed.)
Yesterday a box arrived from Rarefind Nursery.....only one tree in it with a note saying "Sorry..couldn't find the other one".
I don't think I will be ordering from them again.

It sure takes the fun out of gardening when you have to jump thru hoops to track down plantlife.
Diligents is what paid off. Thanks for the headsup.

I just feel like they could of told me on the phone.....I had been very excited about finding Magnolia Tree's that could with stand my winter lows. 8 weeks of waiting and then this... it was a huge disappointment to say the least.

No kidding! That's a huge disappointment!
I, too, am thankful for your report on this company. Have they been around long, do you know?

Why not post on Garden Watchdog?
More people could benefit.

Thanks Jo Anne....I just did.

Nice goin

That's too bad, Celeste. Surprising too.

Celeste, Sorry about the missing tree. But happy you reported it on the Watchdog. I always read the reports and assume that a less than positive report will help make a company that screws up as Rarefind did try to do a better job next time. I am missing an order from another company, so I need to call and crab and then report the missing order if it is their fault, not mine. I assume I told them to ship it in early May. A tad late at this point. Patti

My plants arrived in great shape from Glasshouse Works, despite the feelings of two people on one coleus thread who are so anti the company.

While on Garden Watchdog I happened to notice a review on Jackson & Perkins by my dear friend, Zuzu. I went to the J & P page and was stunned at the problems they're giving customers who spend huge sums of money buying from them. It's worth a look!

Jackson Perkins-White Flower Farm Smith and Hawkin ALL the same company.

J & P is now owned by Wayside Gardens. Wayside owns Park's Seed Co. as well.

DANG I knew they wern't mom and pop anymore.

That would explain it then.

Is that new about white flower farm because it's not listed in "who owns what" like that?

I am probably wrong as usual
"Pay no attention to that old woman behind the green curtain" In case you are really young ,that's the quote from The Wizzard of Oz.
I only know WFF isn't the small nursery it used to be and their mailorder stuff is krap.

I just got their catalog and it looks so good, glad you told me.
There's no place like home :) Not that young.

Do ticks fly?

Nope, ticks can't fly.

Aren't they jumpers?

Nope...
"Ticks wait for host animals from the tips of grasses and shrubs (not from trees). When brushed by a moving animal or person, they quickly let go of the vegetation and climb onto the host. Ticks can only crawl; they cannot fly or jump. Ticks found on the scalp have usually crawled there from lower parts of the body. Some species of ticks will crawl several feet toward a host. Ticks can be active on winter days when the ground temperatures are about 45o Fahrenheit." quoted from a tick prevention poster

Ugh - in any season

And they're more active during full moon.

UGGH:(

That would be the lunar ticks...

Those kind drive.

Yes they drive deep.

I have a bunch of self seeded silver maples(at least I think they are) in the yard...we desperately need the shade. Is it worth leaving a couple to let grow into a tree. How long would it take? They are about 2 inches high.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/58184/

Pixie - sorry to hear about your magnolia tree disappointment! Was the one you received good sized and healthy? I'm glad you reported your experience on the Watchdog. I listen when people talk on that one!

As to my White Flower Farm experience: I mentioned on one thread or another that my DSD gave me a gift certif. to WFF for Christmas. I think her selection of WFF goes back to the days when my guys would take me there for Mother's Day for a benevolent shopping spree. In any event, I had no choice but to order from them because of the gift certif. SO.....drum roll........my order should arrive tomorrow, and I will let you all know what things look like. I bought a pink Carefree Wonder rose, so I can put it right next to the same rose that my other DSD gave me for my birthday one year; I also ordered a Black Lace Black Elder........so.......we'll see.....!!

Laurel - yes, I am somewhat used to the adjustment, but it can be interesting!

No, Jen. Not a good tree.

FYI..as I found it interesting.

Since 1975, Wayside Gardens has been part of the Park Seed Company family of brands, which also comprises Park Seed, Park Seed Wholesale, and Park’s Landscapes.

On April 10, 2007, Harry and David Holdings sold most of the assets of Jackson & Perkins to an investment group headed by Donald and Glenda Hachenberger. The Hachenberger investment group also owns an interest in the Park Seed Company.

Sounds like there'll be fewer nurseries just as there are fewer banks. Sad to see that happening.

Thanks for the rundown. I tried to locate "who ownes what" but gave up,more worth my while to listen to Fprum members talk.
I knew WFF was bought by some big company.
Just as soon as they are managed from overseas they go to pot ,excuse the pun!!! LOL
I noticed their inventory changed to more garden chackies and then Victor mentioned meat.
I would rather support the family nurseries anyway.
I have an intense aversion to anybody who out sources their company, this includes nurseries to basketballs..

Unfortunately, with many items you just have no choice. They simply are no longer made here.

Even the Chinese manufacturers are declining to make some products and that business is going to Viet Nam.

"Made in America" is becoming history.

Here is the other side of the shade gardenI call the east side.
Just planted Hosta
Big Daddy,
Blue Cadet
Monarda raspberry
Hosta Frances williams near Pirls brite green fall fragrent
Autumn gold hosta in front of Fall anemone
Guachamole with the lone hosta former owners at the end 75 feet away.
Interplanted with Martagon lilies, trumpet lilies ,double asiatics.
Some day I'll figure out how to post more than one pic at a time.

ATTENTION: I was so VERY wrong about Rarefind Nursery...they called me today and have found my tree! They will ship it out on Monday......I changed my rating on WD already.