Sunday, May 16, 2010

Holden Arboretum's Plant Sale

Pat and I went to the Holden Arboretum plant sale yesterday. I had a wish list of one plant. I was looking for a couple of marsh marigolds. I have exercised really good self control regarding new stuff this year. I fact, we are a net exporter of plants this year. Another reason to spend an afternoon at Holden is the rhododendron and azalea garden, but that’s for another post.
I kept to the plan until I saw the booths filled with all those wonderful, beautiful plants that all knew my name. We found marsh marigolds at the Chelsea Flower Garden booth. The marigolds were so reasonable that we got 6. Chelsea specializes in native plants. They are located in Middlefield Ohio. They do not have a web site. Some red flowered strawberry plants caught my eye. I have never seen red flowered strawberries. We have white flowered strawberries as groundcover on the back side of the berm. So we got 2 plants. Hey, it’s only 2 plants. An herb vendor caught Pat’s eye so she picked up some herbs, different kinds of basil. I found the mother lode at the Kridler Gardens booth. We knew about this vendor having picked up solomon’s seal a couple years ago at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens plant sale. They had a table of mini-hosta. Pat said something about how cute they looked and so much for self control.
So we didn’t keep to the 2 plant limit, but we didn’t go overboard either (if it sounds like a rationalization, alright, I admit, maybe it kind of is). Now to break the other rule, we need to get some more pots for the mini hosta.













7 comments:

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Why don't we have anything like this in the Chicago area? Looks like you went a little crazy, but what's wrong with that when it comes to plants?

Eileen

Gary said...

Jim, It looks like it was a great time. And from what I can tell by the pictures your self control remained strong. Some of us would have been like Alice's white rabbit running from vendor to vendor "Oh MY MY" and then following it with "Oh BUY BUY". - G

debsgarden said...

What a great show. I think you showed amazing restraint, under the circumstances!

Lona said...

I just read an article in Country Gardens magazine about the mini hostas. I did not know there was such a thing but they look so cute. So I can see why a hosta collector like you would really like them. More Marsh Marigold, that is one that is on my list because of you LOL! Glad you found some beauties and will be waiting to see those azaleas and rhoddies.

Meredith said...

I think you exercised remarkable willpower, Jim, as I was feeling the urge to buy plants just by looking through your photographs of the event. ;)

Can't wait to see the cute mini hostas in their new pots. (Selecting beautiful containers might also be part of the fun!)

joey said...

Love plant sales (and lacking willpower, can never get my fill).

Shady Gardener said...

Wow! That's one great plant sale. I've never been to something like that... and if I went alone, it would be hard to keep a limit. ;-)

Jim, do you remember the variety of ligularia you sent me? I'm nearly ready to plant my little seedlings. I must create a post first, though! lol