Re: Burpee/Heronswood where are they headed?

Connie,

Seems to me that, at least at present, so many new species are being
introduced to cultivation by our current generation of intrepid plant
hunters that there is a pretty vast supply of 'new' plants that won't
be on the mass market too soon.

Really, seems the object in horticulture is to spread the word and
get the largest number of people possible growing the largest number
of plants possible.  I'm for that as, personally, it is the plant I
care about and not whether or not it's "new" or "rare" or offered by
Home Despot or only obscure specialist growers.  The important thing
is for a plant to be grown and not lost to cultivation, which many
hundreds are.  RHS Plant Finder lists species and cultivars who are
not available that were in past years and if you read any of the old
gardening books, say by Gertrude Jekyl, you not only find plants
whose names have changed, but plants that you couldn't find for love
nor money anymore.

There are also many plants who do not lend themselves to tissue
culture or massive production, who will always be rare.  Try to find
any Veratrum species at any nurseries this side of the pond.  I
haven't yet (anybody who does know of a nursery selling this, please
let me know!).  I keep trying to grow these from seed, with very
indifferent success.

IMO, there are more lesser known plants than not and always will be. 
There are literally thousands of species of plants out there who are
garden worthy.  Most nurseries carry only a very limited list of what
can be grown.  Mass markets carry an even more limited list.   I am
always coming across a plant name on email lists or in seed lists
that I have never heard of and have no earthly what it even looks
like.  Check out the NARGS seed list for some pretty obscure numbers,
most of whom will never make it into the mass market. 

http://www.nargs.org/seed/exchange.html

So, I say don't worry about running out of plants for the 'different
drummer'...just keep your eyes out, you'll find them:-)

My 2 cents FWIW.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: connie k.hoy <coneh@qwest.net>
> Date: Thursday, February 01, 2001 3:05 PM
> 
> Al,and interested others.
> I had an  interesting converstion with a Plant Broker of late
Which in many
> respects confirms your thoughts on this subject.
> During this converstion he said what they aspire to,and are working
on  is to
> 'clean-up'(remove virus',vector traits,etc.)from rare or little
known, (at least
> here in the USA) perennials and then bring them to market ..
> 
> While I cant fault this I am curious how others are taking  to the
potential of
> mass marketing what here to fore were if not rare were at least
'little known'
> offerings.
> Care to share your thoughts..??
> I will go first in saying that is seems to be my nature to seek
that which is
> 'off-beat',lesser known..
> My real concern comes with more and more of these becoming
mainstream ,how will I
> satisfy my 'marches to a different drummer'gardening nature.?
> Connie
> 
> 
>
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