Orris root isn't hard to find. I'm sure any of the crafts stores that carry pot pourri supplies would have it. I've even seen in in the crafts section at Walmart but some of the Walmarts are drastically reducing their fabric and crafts sections. A small bag will go a long way because you don't use a lot in each batch. What I used was in tiny chunks. I've never used powder. I think it works better than anything.
Gita, you should check around for small boutiques or gift shops, especially the ones that carry handmade items. I'll bet they'd be very happy to have homemade pot pourri to sell. There are a number of shops up here that will also sell your items on consignment. I'm sure you can find them in Baltimore too.
Here's one in your area that sells crafts made by seniors.
http://www.volunteersolutions.org/baltimore-county/org/8069595.html
I had an artist friend who used to make personalized, framed drawings for children's rooms. She made several thousand dollars a year getting a table at a local crafts fair twice a year.
Scented plants, only the nose knows!
Hart---
I am aware of this "Senior Craft Gallery". (I mentioned it above already.....)
Matter of fact--I had dropped off several of my X-Mas craft items there before the Holidays.
Now-- I wanted to drop off these sachets today--hoping the Valentines Day season would promote some of their sales. Unfortunately--the Volunteer I encountered when I went there with my X-Mas stuff was too afraid to make decisions on what to take--and how many. This really bothered me. She kept, like, 6 of everything. SIX ONLY!!!!
Today, I was going to go there and pick up whatever Christmas stuff has not sold, collect the $$$ for what has sold, and drop off the Potpourri sachets-to be sold.
Instead--I ended up sitting home all day waiting for a "BG&E-Home" people technician to come and see why my furnace is not kicking on! NO HEAT--off and on!
I have their "Smart Service" ($20 a month)--so all these maintenance/diagnostic trips and parts are FREE! Have had 3 of them here in the last 2 months!
After 3 visits, by 3 different techs.--today I got one who knew what to look for. He ended up replacing the pressure sensor and now everything is OK! I HAVE HEAT IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!
Anyway........As I said earlier--I used to live in that area (Where the Craft Gallery is) when I was first married. Of course--back then, this was an actual Elementary School. Now it seems defunct and is owned by Baltimore CO. and is some kind of "Job assistance Programs" place---but one room in this building it the "Senior Craft Gallery". Even I had a hard time finding it!!!!!
It is an out-of-the-way place and does not get a lot of circulation. When I dropped my X-Mas things off, I was impressed with much of the handiwork and the low prices. Definitely, a place to check out---IF you live in the Baltimore area!
SO! I will now go there tomorrow! I was hoping to go today--as the "Boss", Betty, was going to be there and I would not have to deal with another, insecure-in-decisions Senior.
I will call first---If Betty is not there tomorrow-- may come later on a day when she is.
hart--the problem with "Small Boutiques and Gift Shops" that you suggested are that they will, most likely, take things on consignment. Most of the things I make are small, inexpensive things. Like--$5 and under. Very cute ansd "Special"--but inexpensive.
If I think something would want to sell for $5--then I would only get $2.50-$3 for it. NO GO! I want my $5!
The beauty of the Senior Craft Gallery is that you can tell them what you want for your items---they will add 20% to it (that they will keep)--NO questions asked-- to that amount. I still get what I wanted! I think this is VERY fair--but I just wish they were more "advertised" and more "findable"......
In the long run--unless you are a well know artist --you can seldom recoup the money your efforts deserve. One can NEVER recover the cost of "time" and "materials" etc.....in anything you make on the "Small Scale" Craft market......
Gita
Sorry, Gita, I didn't realize that was the same place you were talking about.
Most of the crafts consignment places here allow you to charge whatever you want and then tack on 30% for themselves. For a fancy boutique, I think you can easily raise your prices or if you don't want to do that, bundle them into a pack of 3 for $15.
If you can find a nice crafts fair close by and can stand sitting at a table all or most of the day (it really helps if you can get someone to come along and help or at least come in to give you breaks) you'll make 100% of what you sell minus the cost of the table. Some don't charge very much at all for table space.
Some of the better ones are at local festivals, like the Festival of Leaves and Oktoberfests up here.
It's a shame they have the senior gallery in such an out of the way spot. I'll bet if they asked, one of the local malls would give them space a few times a year. And of course if it's non-profit, local newspapers will give them free community briefs space if they bother to write something up and send it in. Radio stations will do the same except they're called public service announcements.
I'm so glad you got your heat fixed. It's too cold, and too dangerous, for you to be sitting in a cold house.
Chantell, Another purportedly very fragrant plant that I put in this fall are some unusual muscari bulbs. Muscari Macrocarpum Golden Fragrance. They are large for a Muscari and are yellow. I read that the scent was a cross between Banana & Gardenia. They were purchased through Van Engelen.
Ohhh Stormy - GREAT suggesting - what an interesting looking plant not to mention the description of that scent...adding that to my "fall" list to plant....thank you, thank you!!
Stormy, I really have to get these bulbs to plant this fall, It also said they were good for forcing, wonder if anyone has tried that.
http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/spring/productview/index.php?sku=32-0121
I usually order from Brent and Becky's no reason, just happy with past orders.
Yeah if you google them a few of our good DG vendors have them...Bluestone - Brents and Beckys etc
Here's a nice Paghat piece on them: http://www.paghat.com/muscarigolden.html. They sound like a bit of a pain -- slow to increase. I'll be curious for your reports as to whether they are worth it. If that link doesn't work, try a Google search for "Muscari Macrocarpum Golden Fragrance paghat" (without the quotes).
This message was edited Jan 14, 2009 9:56 AM
Happy, When I click your link, I get an error message. Is it working for you?
Stormy: It didn't work for me either. I checked the link and it looks right. I could get to it easily using a Google search (Muscari Macrocarpum Golden Fragrance paghat).
Thanks Happy, I put it in my favorites, it has some pretty good information that I will need for my zone, need to mulch, sunny location for strong stems. If I want this to do well in my zone some TLC is required on my part.
Going through the seed catalogs, thinking about growing Nemesia Masquerade, interesting flower shape and a "sweet coconut scent".
Nemesia & Pineapple sage, hmmmm... anyone for a Pina Colada ?
Lady, that Nemesia is a pretty little flower. I've never heard of Pineapple Sage. Sounds interesting.
Happy, that paghat is an interesting site. Thanks for the info.
Pineapple sage is WONDERFUL. You have to get you some, Stormy.
Yes very yummy AND the Hummers like it...variegated (I think) too!!
Ok everybody, I looked it up in PF, and it has everything I love. Good scent, RED flowers, tall growing (some people said 5' x 5'), wind tolerant. However, I'm not sure it would be happy here. I have very little full sun, and where I do is very very dry.
Is it hardy for any of you? If not, does it reseed? Most of the folks in PF say that it's difficult to overwinter it indoors, even cuttings. Some say they do OK with cuttings. I almost never bring anything inside, but this looks good enough to tempt me.
Stormy: Yes, Paghat's site is wonderful. She has all kinds of really interesting and often obscure information on different plants, particular regarding their derivation and folklore. She is, however, in the Pacific northwest, so you have to take some of what she says with a grain of salt because her growing conditions are so different than ours. Here's the link to Paghat's main site -- I don't know if it will work, since the earlier link I posted didn't. http://www.paghat.com/gardenhome.html. To see if she covers a particular plant, Google the name of the plant followed by the word "paghat."
While we were grocery shopping the other day I went to see what they had in their little nursery dept. You just never know what you might happen upon. This time I was almost ready to leave - the hyacinths were practically over whelming w/their frangrance - when I spied a cart w/some roses on it. Went over there and the most beautiful pink roses - just perfect, great dark green foliage, so healthy looking. Inquired about the price and was told that the plants were $5 each. I figured that I have bought bouquets that cost more than that and they didn't last more than a week, if that. Turns out that this highly fragrant rose was Tiffany - robust and full of buds about to open. I wish I had gone back and "stocked up" but it's too late now.
Ann
Ahhh don't you just love it when you come across a treasure unexpectedly?!? Makes MY day, for sure!!
Stormy - my understanding is that the Pineapple Sage is NOT hardy here...I can tell you better come spring if it shows itself again. The pot I had mine in rec'd bright shade most of the day and seemed to do just fine. Last year was my first year with them - they were only $2 - $3 at our local nursery so I figured - no biggie...wasn't any more then those spicy purple petunias I buy each year....ahhhhh I LOVE them!! Took me most of one summer (running theme with me) to "locate" that scent. Since then...they most certainly get put into the planters by my front door!! Now the Pineapple mint, I believe, is hardy...again last year was my first time growing it so spring will tell.
No, it isn't winter hardy here. But the plants aren't expensive and it's easy to get new ones each spring.
BTW, I haven't seen Paghat's page on it but keep in mind she's in California in I think zone 8. It might overwinter for her in that zone.
It is an herb and you can use it to make tea or for seasoning or (looking at you, Gita) to add into pot pourri.
Pineapple mint is hardy but it's not a very vigorous plant, at least not here. Mine hasn't spread much at all after being planted two years ago. And it doesn't quite have the same pineapple scent as the pineapple sage.
Stormy, pineapple sage does like a little more moisture than some herb plants but I've grown it in a pretty shade spot and it did well.
Thanks, Chantell. I've never seen either Pineapple Mint or Pineapple Sage at a Nursery. I buy both Mint & Sage most years, though some years grow both from seeds. Do you find the Pineapple Sage in with Herbs or flowers?
Ann, I love it when some plant that I've picked up at the Supermarket or produce stand turns out to be a garden favorite. It's similar to a great flea market "treasure".
Thanks, Hart. Does is get very large for you?
stormy - I found it w/the herbs. Tell ya what...if you can't locate it up there and don't mind paying plant and postage - I'm happy to pick some up for you when they come out. Just remind me please. The Pineapple Sage scent is that of Pineapple lifesavers to my nose....yum-meee
Not huge but like you, I have pretty dry soil. It might get 18 inches tall and wide. You should be able to find both pineapple mint and pineapple sage anyplace that sells herb plants. If my mint manages to get a little bigger this year, I can give you a couple of cuttings. The pine. sage usually isn't in with the sages. It doesn't look anything like the regular culinary sage and of course it smells like pineapple.
Let me know if you can't find them. Our little garden shop in Woodstock carries both every year and they're not expensive.
Chantell & Hart, Thank you. You are both very sweet. I'll try to find some locally.
Here's another supposedly fragrant bulb that I put in this fall. Leucojum Aestivum "Gravetye Giant". I've read so many different things about it. Scent comments range from slight to intense "Chocolate". Height reports go from 18" to 36". Good wind resistance. Creatures avoid it.
Extremely Hardy. Naturalizes easily. RHS Award of Merit. An Heirloom bulb around since 1924. Named after an English Manor. Commonly found growing on old graves. Tolerates dry summer shade.
http://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=145
You have me really craving that Gravetye Giant. I've never seen it -- but it likes shade? Wow! I wonder if it is too late to plant it?
I used to grow the little snowdrops years ago. They're a wonderful little plant and bloom in January or February with not much else is even awake yet. They often bloom when there's snow on the ground, hence the name. I never noticed any scent but I wasn't likely to get on my hands and knees on the cold ground to find out. LOL The little ones were very drought tolerant.
I haven't grown the big ones that bloom in summer but if they're as nice as the little ones, you'll love them.
Hart, It's name is deceptive. It 's said to bloom post daffodil, pre Iris. I've read that this is the only fragrant snowdrop. Happy, I've read that it will tolerate SUMMER shade. Interestingly, it's said to tolerate both wet and dry soils.
I will be VERY interested to hear your opinion on yours Stormy when she makes her appearance this spring...please let us know your thoughts!!
Hart: We've grown the little snowdrops, and I love them -- but I never heard of these giants.
But look what I just read: "Snowdrops (Galanthus) should not be confused with their relatives Snowflakes, Leucojum species; leucojums are much larger and flower in spring (or early summer, depending on the species), with all six petals in the flower the same size, though it should be noted that some "poculiform" (slipper-shaped) Galanthus can have inner segments similar in length to the outer ones."
I didn't know that. Leucojums can apparently handle fairly wet soil. I wonder if they can both take the same level of shade?
Hart & Happy, Those names are so easy to confuse, Snow Drop & Snowflake. Snow on the Mountain & Snow in Summer always get mixed up in my mind. My post menopausal brain syndrome may result in unexpected plant combinations!!
I had the hardest time keeping all of the bulbs straight. The Leucojums looked exactly like the Hyacinth bulbs.
Happy, do you grow the single or double Snow Drop? This year I planted the Galanthus Nivalis "Flore Pleno" which is the double form that is somewhat larger than the single and is also supposed to be fragrant. Another RHS Award of Merit winner.
I wasn't confusing them. I know they're two different plants, but I've seen the ones Stormy is talking about sold as summer snowdrops or giant snowdrops.
LOL on the menopause garden, Stormy. Now I know what to blame for some of the plant combinations I come up with.
Not to mention vendors who are sloppy with names. I think some of the cheap ones make up new names to try and make people think its something else entirely.
Sally - you're dead on with that...yes, they are making up names. Instead of selling something for what it's worth as a NOID they make up a name and slap a pretty price on it. I consider it theft...but that's just my harsh take on it. And even ones properly ID'd...so many of the names are similar i.e. Tabernaemontana divaricata 'Flore Pleno' http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/59477/ - I've seen a few plants with the 'Flore Pleno' as part of their name...no wonder we get confused.
Heh, flora pleno means double flowered I believe. It's like alba means white, grandiflora means it has big flowers. It's part of the name because it describes the plant, not something some catalog made up to hornswoggle us into thinking it's a new plant.
Stormy: Just the singles, as I recall, and not very many of them. I think I'll put in more this fall.
I put in a few Winter Aconite bulbs many years ago, and it took a long time but I now have a nice colony that I am very proud of.
This past fall I put in some (expensive) double bloodroot (another "Flore Pleno' as I recall). I hope they survive. That was not the sort of splurge I usually indulge in.
Oops. Should be talking about scented flowers -- but who can smell anything in this bitter cold?
Nah...I know Diane, that's why I said "even the ones properly ID'd" - with that I just meant I understood how it could get confusing. I'm telling you though, there are many ebayers selling stuff with made up names...it's sad.
Happy when do we ever stay on topic...puh-lez...LOL
This message was edited Jan 16, 2009 11:40 AM
The bulb companies are pretty bad about it too. I really dislike a catalog that doesn't give the Latin names of plants so you have no idea what it really is.
We all really should start new threads instead of hijacking existing ones, I guess. LOL
the thread police are hunkered down next to the woodstove. They are not paying attention today. It is too cold.
LOL I have a little kerosene heater I use here in my office when it gets this cold because it's right over the stone cellar and hard to keep warm. It also helps keep the water pipes from freezing since they're right under it too. My dog is laying next to it warming her belly.
We do this all the time, Kelly. I pity anyone trying to search for a particular topic in this forum because we start out talking about one thing and then meander all over the place. LOL