Re: Nurseries
- Subject: Re: Nurseries
- From: M*@aol.com
- Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 18:35:15 EST
In a message dated 11/10/2002 1:30:43 AM Central Standard Time,
dsdavis@intop.net writes:
Donna wrote:
> They look so ratty that I don't understand how they can sell them<<<<<
Gene wrote:
I do not purchase plants, but
I do look for bargains on pots and garden accessoriries, mulch etc.<<<<<
Claire wrote:
HD does not do water
gardens, stone work, design, and persists in bad advice so there is still a
place for local business. Also, publications spread the word on better and
newer plants, especially shrubs that do well in your area which HD never
stocks, another place to be if local.<<<<<
Kemberly is writing:
The one thing that annoys me the most about HD, Lowe's and WalMart (when it
comes to the garden center - I do shop HD and Lowe's for other home
improvement projects) is the advice they give out in the garden center. They
will sell a blooming Foxglove to someone, generally around Easter time, and
tell the buyer that it is perennial and should come back each year. The
buyer will spend nearly $8 dollars for a plant that has a life expectancy of
maybe 4 weeks---that is if given exceptional care and the plant doesn't go
into to shock from so many transports and being exposed to so many different
growing conditions in a short time.
They will aslo give terrible advice about blooming shrubs - telling consumers
that a shrub should do fine in the shade when it will only perform well in
full sun. As are most of you - I'm not really affected by this because I try
to do my homework and have a running wish list in my mind and try to know
what goes where before the plant ever makes it to the short list.
Another gripe for me is these places selling Petunia's to homeowners as
summer annuals. Down here they won't live past the middle of June....and
they are selling to these folks in May. I think this is consumer fraud....if
I catch these people loading their vehicles with such plants I remind them to
keep their receipts for replacement plants if they die - they do have that 1
year guarantee and they will most definetely need it.
I will admit that I find great deals at Lowe's on potting mixes. Last year I
mixed the Miracle Gro and Stay Green potting mixes---I was buying all the
broken bags for anywhere from a buck to three bucks - this is a great deal
since the original price of these large bags was nearly $10/bag. I do keep
an eye open for these deals, especially with the number of bags I go through
early in the season. Here is where the privately owners loose my business -
just on the soil....they are generally three to four dollars more a bag for
the same stuff.
I rely on my tried and true nurseries--Another Place In Time.....after the
spring rush of weekend gardener's, the owner keeps the nursery very
interesting with specialty plants and those that the various collector's
seek. Caldwell's.....this place is a wonderful feast for the gardener. From
natives to herbs - Antique Roses to a huge selection of Daylilies. Best part
is the owner's interest in oddities....she grows many of these from seed and
always (always) has something new and inviting to offer. From tropicals to
succulents, there is something for everyone. She also gets the latest and
greatest plants - you know - whatever is "in" that year and propagates it
herself and offers it to the consumer for a much better price than most mail
order nurseries (Logee's, Plants Delight, etc.---I do like these these places
too). Then there is Nelson's Water Garden......it's a smaller nursery but
they are ever changing in their selection. Here you will find old faithfuls
and some new intro's -----always healthy plants and always wonderful service.
These three nurseries are my favorite places in the Houston area - Nelson's
is within 5 miles--the other two are 25 miles away...well worth the trip if
you are ever in the area!!!!!
Kemberly - all this talk is getting me in the mood to go nursery hopping.
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