Come closer and whisper those words I've been longing to hear, Plant Sale. What gardener doesn't long to hear those words after a long cold wet winter or in the midst of it as the case may be.
Last Saturday the P.S. season began at the Northwest Perennial Alliance annual March Mania sale at the Bellevue Botanical Garden. Rain was pouring down and I thought attendance would be low but it seems I'm not the only one eager to get outside and play if the rain ever lets up.
Plants were flying off of tables and attendees were in a jovial mood as their carts were filled; wallets lightened.
Table after table of hardy cyclamen.
All sorts of other treasures as well!
Clever vendors provided images of plants in bloom, a great tactic for some specimens that were little more than pots of dirt.
In case you need a hippieastrum reprise.
So dark and pretty!
The emerging umbrellas of podophyllum foliage never cease to thrill. They look a bit like the paper ones put in fruity drinks. .
Illicium simonsii in bud. If I only had more space...
Windcliff Plants had Syneilesis palata 'Golden Samurai' which I saw in their garden in the height of summer and unlike S.p. 'Kikko' this one retains that variegation. How exciting is that?
In a corner, these gardeners were reading fortunes. "I predict your plants will die if you don't water them."
Haul in hand
we headed back to the car.
Saleing season has begun!
I knew it! Well actually I guess I hoped. Glad to see the Syneilesis palmata 'Golden Samurai' in your haul. I look forward to hearing how it performs. What's in the baggies?
ReplyDeleteThe baggies contain limestone chips that are supposed to control botrytis in hellebores and peonies. http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/lessons-from-the-npa-borders-hellebores/
DeleteI've been having a problem with botrytis on my lilies and am willing to try anything.
I'm with Loree. Since I have Kiko, I will be very interested to see how your Samuri does. If it really retains its variegation, Kiko will be going to a new home.
ReplyDeleteI had planned to go to this sale right up until Saturday morning when I got up and it was pouring. I just couldn't face it. There will be plenty more chances this spring for me to spend money on plants I don't need. Thanks for sharing your photos of the sale and of the other gardeners who are more intrepid than I.
ReplyDeleteI almost skipped that morning too because of the rain and having a cold that has been making me not want to do anything but I went anyway.
DeleteI'm drooling! ;)
ReplyDeletePeter, P.S. I love you, too! Just what I needed today after an exhausting day of caretaking; the virtual smells and sights of a plant sale!
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky to have so many suppliers ready, willing and able to feed your habit. Why don't any of them have a desire to move south, where it is warm and snow is only a concept?
ReplyDeleteWe had that plant sale on our lost, but then went to Whidbey instead. Tom would not have been able to resist the cyclamen.
ReplyDeleteAh, spring is upon us and it's time to buy plants! I've already been planting purchases and playing musical plants in the garden for over a week whenever it isn't raining cats and dogs.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing what's for sale elsewhere. The UC Davis Arboretum had their first sale last Saturday and the focus was still on unthirsty plants. Nothing as exotic as Syneilesis.
ReplyDeleteOh, my heart's a-flutter! Looks like you had a nice haul of new goodies. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYou made me laugh, Peter: "wallets lightened" - well said! I've been to a Garden Center, buying clematis and can say the same :-)
ReplyDeleteDid you buy hellebore? Good choice.
Those words I've been longing to hear: plant sale. Classic opening for a blog post! Rivals "Call me Ishmael".
ReplyDelete