RE: VanB's

Hi Don,
Yes, the ease of growth of the Himalayan Blue Poppy is highly exaggerated in
almost all catalogs.  The PNW is supposed to be the ideal climate for these
beauties (colored with a blue so beautiful and pure it always makes my eyes
rain little drops of joy).  The best I've ever been able to do was to keep
one alive for 3 years.  And then I felt like I needed to be looking at it
every minute there was an open flower because their beauty is so fleeting.
I know growers who start these from seed and do better than I have ever done
buying potted plants.  I think to buy VanB's marginal, bare root perennials
would be the kiss of death.
	That said, I have ordered and grown their bulbs for many years with very
good success.

Marilyn Dube'
Natural Designs Nursery
Portland, Oregon

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-perennials@hort.net [o*@hort.net]On Behalf
Of Don Martinson
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:28 AM
To: perennials@hort.net
Subject: Re: VanB's

Some other caveats when choosing a plant vendor (particularly
catalog) are to examine descriptions for the following:

Lack of scientific name (at least the genus)  Some very common plants
can hide behind flowery (pun intended) names.

Incorrect name.

Overly optimistic cultural directions.  Case in point from VanB's
catalog:  If only the Meconopsis betonicifolia (Himalayan Blue Poppy)
were as easy to grow as they describe
http://dutchbulbs.com/spring/z32878.70407.html  (please don't anyone
tell me it really is that easy, or hardy to below 0F)    I also
question whether the Hardy Fuchia magellanica they advertise is
really hardy to the limits of zone 6.    I think the most reputable
of places will err on the side of caution when giving hardiness zones.


Just my 2 cents worth
--
Don Martinson
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
l*@wi.rr.com

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