Another New & Exciting Garden Catalog

I just received my Wayside Gardens catalog and WOW, I'm in love! There are so many fabulous plants featured that I'm drooling all over the keyboard.

Whenever I get a new catalog I grab my pen and settle down for some quality dream time. I first go through the catalog and circle everything that I like (there are 33 circles in this 55 page catalog.) Then I go through again and weed out what is really silly of me to want, like the $89.95 Phyllostachys nigra, which is a black bamboo and the Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam', which is readily available at garden centers in his area.

This morning I narrowed my list down to two items. Origanum rotundifolium 'Kent Beauty' is an ornamental Oregano that is a spectacular plant that drips bracts which start out lime green, fade to lavender, and then change to bright pink. The foliage is heart-shaped silver that trails.

I also love the Larix decidua 'Pendula', a weeping Larix. This is an evergreen that grows up to 6' tall, perfect for the garden that is in the front east side of the yard. I fell in love with weeping Larix years ago and have always wanted one.

I have never seen an orange tree that is listed hardy in zone 5, but Wayside Gardens offers Washington 'Naval Orange' in a one-gallon container that is good for our area. The tree sells for $29.95, and I'd love to have it, but I just can't justify spending that much money for something that I'm not sure would actually thrive here.

I'll hang my order form, filled completely, on the refrigerator with hopes that hubby will surprise me for Mother's Day. Of course, I'd appreciate any hints that you guys give him about this! Otherwise I'll end up with a vacuum.

Happy spring,
shel

Another Garden Catalog, Another Day of Wanting

Yesterday I received the Breck's catalog in the mail. Last night, after a long day of working both jobs and caring for my helpless husband, I took my ink pen and catalog into the bathroom. I filled the tub with hot water and Amber Dreams bubble bath, and settled in for a long soak.

There's SO many things that I'd like to buy! I'm interested in 'Double Trouble' Helenium which is a bright yellow flower (the petals remind me of a ruffled poppy) with a deep gold cone-shape center. I've never seen this plant before so of course I want to have it.

I loved the 'Myrtle's Folly' Dahlia. It has a HUGE 8" bloom that resembles flames shooting out of a red-hot center. The petals are yellow, orange and red, and come to a sharp point. I usually stay away from oranges, but I really like this bloom. It looks like it's hyper-active. (I would probably dig up these bulbs in the fall. Dahlias aren't normally perennial in Illinois, but I have a micro climate that allows me to use glads, calla lilies, and dahlias as perennials, but I'd hate to take a chance on this one.)

'Sherbet Drink' Phlox is STUNNING. It is pink with white and green picotte. I inherited the love of phlox from my mom, and I would be thrilled to add this to my collection.

There is a coupon attached to my catalog that allows me to pay $25 for a $50 order...too bad I can't take advantage of the offer! For some reason, bill collectors don't seem to care about the flowers in my garden.

Oh, to be rich...

shel

Man, I HATE being broke, especially since it's garden catalog season.

I got the spring catalog from Gilbert H. Wild and Son and immediately started circling things that are on my wish list. I've ordered from them before so I know that they're reputable. In the past, I had ordered 100 hosta for $100. Most of the roots had two or three eyes to them, so I actually got at lest 200 hosta after cutting the starts. The hosta plants have matured beautifully.

It was about five years ago that I placed the order, and the prices haven't gone up. (Unlike everything else in the world.) As much as I'd like to get another 100 hosta, I have to be strong and use the money to pay bills (and repay debts) instead. Darn, I hate being practical!

By my calculations, winter is not even halfway over. That's SO depressing!

hoping for spring,
shel