Re: [SG] Wayside and White Flower

Hello Claire,
        I, too, cut my gardening teeth on these two nurseries for the first few
years while learning. I think they have two of the finest catalogs out
there in the business. I don't think any one could dispute that for the
beginning to intermediate gardener. I still recommend both to beginning
gardeners for photos and short clear descriptions of how to grow the plants
(with a small warning that they do fudge a bit as not ever plant in the
catalog is a miracle plant as they describe) Both are "free" short
encyclopedias illustrated. Take my copies to the Master Gardener classes to
give away.
        However, Claire, they have gotten so big and let quality control get away
from them that I can not longer recommend them with a clear conscience to
order from. Overpriced and poor quality plants the last two times I ordered
from them... what was received. Far too much is backordered or no longer
available. I would love to see them get it back together.
        Top give them their dues once more, the overpricing is a necessity with
them because of their guarantee. One has to price for that catalog ( over 3
million mailed last year) and the mountains of plants that are requested
due to the first ones being killed by the gardener. I sure can not do that
when I charge $6 to $7 for a gallon size plant.
        Catalogs are a huge expense to any mail order nursery. We would all love
to see that expense disappear. Right now most of us have to carry the
expense of the catalogs and the web site along with the time to create and
maintain both. It will be a while yet before the transition is complete ...
if ever. Too many old die-hards (myself included) that want a hard copy to
fondle and mark while drinking their hot tea and kicking back in an easy
chair.
        The Chinese Witchhazel has a heavenly scent today,  Gene
        Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com

----------
> From: Claire Peplowski <ECPep@AOL.COM>
> Subject: [SG] Wayside and White Flower
> Date: Friday, February 19, 1999 12:37 PM
> Please Gene and Bill,
>
> Give a nod to these large national nurseries for extending the range of
plants
> we now enjoy.
>
> When I became serious in the garden and had little money to send to mail
order
> nurseries
> I would read longingly these two most maligned catalogs.  In some ways
they
> became educational.
>
> Both Wayside and White Flower have wide national distribution.  Both have
> provided color photography to gardeners who may expand their interests
gazing
> at the offerings which are not in your local garden center.
>
> With the sophistication on this list and the resources our members
provide it
> is easy to forget that some gardeners are just coming aboard. I have said
this
> before so apologize for the repeating message.
>
> On catalogs, it is interesting to note that exclusively online sellers
are
> increasing.  The smaller specializing nurseries are a great pleasure.  I
found
> one that sells sarracenia only by internet.  All nurseries on this list
are
> superior.  And, they answer e-mails.
>
> A non-shade note: the best rose bushes you can buy with the most
reasonable
> prices come from Wayside's Rose Book.  This is an anomaly to the
principle but
> it is true.
>
> One more small thing - many years ago White Flower Farm published a
method for
> keeping peony blossoms in storage all summer to use periodically as cut
> flowers.  I tried it, it worked.  This is one of my reputation builders
in the
> garden world.  One needs a few to keep up.
>
> Claire Peplowski
> East Nassau, NY
> z4 (with bulbs appearing which is amazing)
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