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Re: [GWL]: Annuals vs. Perennials

I live in Lansing Michigan.  We have 3 local nurseries who
grown most of their annual crops and 1 who grows their own
perennials.  Here are my comments:

1st nursery:  The people who deal with customers know next
to nothing about plants and simply spend their time
watering.  Good but frustrating!

2nd nursery:  annuals are in totally enclosed greenhouse,
fairly high priced but kept watered.  Can usually find
someone who knows something about the plants.

3rd nursery:  currently putting entire growing area under a
greenhouse so gardeners will be selecting flats of plants or
perennials from the actual area they were grown in.  You can
usually find what you want and get questions answered.  I
was able to pick up specialty 4" pots of alpine plants last
summer for the same price as "regular" perennials.  Their
customer service people are enthusiastic about what they
sell.  Just 30 miles away is a specialty alpine plant
nursery where the owner actually gets mad at the employees
who try to help the customers and HE wants $5 or more for a
plant I can buy for usually about $1.25 at the other place.
Need I say more?  HE only gets my business if NO ONE else
has the plant I want (usually South African succulents that
are proving hardy in Michigan).  I try to give him as little
business as possible but know that botanical gardens all
over the country purchase mail order from him.  I even find
some of the comments in his catalog totally offensive.

Chain stores:  often have MORE annual varieties than the
nursery.  Can often find unusual plants at low prices (like
the seashell impatiens last summer).  Have to be very picky
about what you select but I LOVE picking up a nice
pelargonium for $1 versus the $3-$4 they are in the
specialty shops.

CONCLUSION:  It really doesn't matter where you buy the
plant.  The customer is ultimately responsible for making
the best choice, checking quality of root systems (yes, I
take the plant out of the pot and check them out), and doing
some research about the plant's needs BEFORE purchasing the
plant.  When I talk about gardening to friends I teach them
HOW to select a good plant no matter WHERE they choose to
buy it.

--
Diana Pederson, GWAA
Enabling Gardens Bookshelf Editor
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/enabling_garden

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