A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Gardener's Chat What a pleasant nursery!!!

Last Monday I went to a nursery just over the border into NJ in search of a particular perennial. They didn't have it, but pointed to a flyer on the wall for a wholesale perennial nursery that is only open for retail sales on Saturdays from 9-4. They also have a website, so I looked at it before calling to see if they had the plant - the website said yes, so I called to make sure. The guy didn't know if that particular plant was ready for sale yet but he'd send someone out into the field and call me back the next day. I did not get a return call all week, so didn't know what to expect.

I had a busy day planned for Saturday, but just could not resist visiting this nursery, so I invited a gardening friend along and we left at 8:30 since I had to be back by 10:30 and it's a 1/2 hour trip - yes, we gardeners will even get up early to find just the right plant!!!

When we walked in, a woman greeted us and asked if we'd ever been there before. She then handed us a long list of all the plants they grow, with the pot size and price next to it. The shade plants were on the ground towards the back and the sun plants in the front. It's just a wide open parking lot with the pots grouped in sections.

"OH... and please help yourself to some breakfast!!!"
Can you believe they had a very pretty small spread of bagels and cream cheese cut in quarters, the most delicious brownies , cookies, danish, a huge platter of fruit, and tea and coffee!!!

The women who helped were extremely friendly and knowledgable. The plants were all VERY healthy, if a little pricey, but not more so than at any regular nursery really. I found a few plants that I hadn't seen anywhere else, so I had to scoop them up - only 1 of each of them as they were expensive. And some others for the hill of the pond/waterfall.

I asked if the guy was there that I had spoken with on the phone, and the woman asked me why. When I explained that he hadn't called me back, she said that there had been a death in the owners family and they were naturally having a hard time. Well I must say that for it being a difficult week, these people were so very nice to their customers, and I wanted to cry along when I saw the owner crying on a workers shoulder.

The guy was there and went into the field and brought me a pot of the plant I was looking for. It's a bit small still and not really ready to have been put out for sale, but I did buy it. It has small flower buds, so I'm sure it will be ok.

They even wheeled our cart to the car and helped put all of our plants into my trunk for us.
What a really nice place!

Sooooooooo I'm thinking I'm gonna have to take out a second mortgage on the house because it's going to be hard to keep me away from there every Saturday morning!!!

The plants I got are:

Gaillardia Fanfare - that is the one I was wanting!

Echinacea Sundown - never heard of that one but pictures online show it to have very pretty orange flowers - perfect for my orange gardens I want to have around the pond to accentuate the goldfish colors!

2 Sedum Sieboldii - already planted on the waterfall hill

2 stachys byzantina "Silver Carpet" - lambs ear - also already planted on the hill

1 Sisyrinchium 'Lucerne' - the blue eyed grass that Carol had suggested up in my pond thread - but I only got 1 at $10 for a small pot so it's not going there - will go in my blue garden instead!

and 1 Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' - a small Japanese Painted fern to go along with the others that I got last year for my new shade garden.

It was sooooooo hard not to get more, and several of each!
Good thing I was on a time limit, or I'd have been in biiiiiiiiiig trouble!

that sounds so vey nice.---I wish I was close to it!!! or then perhaps it is good i am not---If I lost the house-(from all the plants I bought)- where would I plant/put my great purchases????

Toooooooooo true, Carol!!!

Sounds like you've found a great place, maybe too great

The garden nursery across the road closed for good last year so I as well will have to travel 30 minutes to visit one, but it's always worth the trip isn't it?

Could be dangerous to my wallet, Tamara!



Sorry that nursery closed, but you are right - I will travel anywhere for a good plant!

Here's a link to the nursery if anyone would like to take a look at the plants they have to offer.

BKperennials

Check out there catalog!

The nursery across the road only sold annuals anyway. I'd rather spend my money on perennials.

In fact they are having a sale this week all 4 inch pot perennials for $2, I could kick myself for not going yesterday but I just was too tired and weak.

Oh well, it's too cold to plant here yet anyway.

I am willing to pay for service. Some of my friends are not. They would rather have a cheap price. I don't like to shop so I want to get in, have service, find what I want, and leave. (I'm talking about clothes here - I do like hanging around looking at plants but I sitll like service).

I have to drive 30 minutes to get anywhere. I can't feel too sorry for you on that one.

it's between 20-45 miles to get anywhere for me too. i feel your pain.

You all sound more secluded than me. 5 minutes and I am in town in 5 different directions.. Guess I am centrally located......We do have a church and grounds a mile from me......But I rather go to the one 5 minutes away.....
Churches in every town here.

I actually don't think that 30 minutes is far to go at all. There are so many places to go in any one direction, and it's all one thing after another after another here - not too many empty spaces left at all anymore. Except for driving north to where the outlet center is about 25 minutes, but even that area is developing quickly.

To each his own..
I am a country girl with houses below me on both sides . Solid .
They want my farm now.

I guess I'm not the only one in a real rural place. I don't mind driving 30 minutes to the nursery...it's the hour long trip to get to a Wal-mart or shopping mall that bugs me.

So any plans to go back soon Lynne?