Like this little lizard sculpture. I'm not a big fan of garden figurines (especially small ones), but this one was quite nice and I wonder if adding it to my garden would attract some of the real thing? I so want to have lizards and snakes in my garden!
Next I ventured out into the main perennial greenhouse, which you can see in the background of this photo from yesterday:
You'll notice that it seems quite empty back there. There were several workers and lots of packing materials strewn about, so I asked if it was okay if I ventured in. Of course it was!
A little warning: if you're hoping to see tables full of lush foliage and other botanical delights, you've come to the wrong place. You need to head over to a west coast blog like Loree's or Peter's, or for something more Californian, Gerhard's. They seem to not only have an endless list of year-round nurseries to visit, but the time to do so as well. (I'm quite envious)
So here's what you'll see in a St. Louis nursery on the last day of February:
There is some color, as fresh spring foliage is often so wonderful! The sedges of course don't disappoint:
And something called "Brigadoon" was a beacon:
The tag on these was surprisingly unhelpful, not even listing hardiness. No species name. Is everybody supposed to know that this is Hypericum calycinum, St. John's wort? Maybe they assume we all shop for plants with smartphone in hand (okay, maybe we do. I know I do!)
Row upon row of plants that have either just broken dormancy, or haven't yet done so. It takes either a good imagination or a leap of faith to pay $15 for what appears to be an empty pot of soil, or a leafless twig or two.
Which is why I suppose they were a bit surprised to see me looking around so early. They didn't even have their sales register area set up yet! (It was getting a bit of a makeover, with some fresh stain or paint or something going on the structure itself, and just a temporary register sitting in the corner.)
It will be interesting to see how things have changed in a week when I go back this weekend...
Have I made any west coast gardeners envious?
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I'm envious of that gorgeous Hypericum 'Brigadoon!' What great color! I hope we see it out this way too. We are lucky out here to have so many year round nurseries. Have you ever considered moving west? The lizard needs to come and live in your garden! It's calling out to you!
ReplyDeleteA serious plantsman always look around greenhouses any time of the year :))
ReplyDeleteLet the neighborhood kids know you want lizards and snakes. You'll get them... (and probably save a few lives in the mix!)
ReplyDeleteI must admit I find it odd to see nurseries empty in the winter. But then I've never gardened in a cold-weather climate either. I *am* familiar with buying hope though, i.e. nursery pots with very little showing. That's often the case at Annie's Annuals at this of year.
ReplyDeleteYour lizard sculpture looks like a animated movie character waiting for the camera.
ReplyDeleteThis year I'm determined to get to my favorite nursery early. Its no fun to go late (like I usually do) and find most of what I want is gone or in need of CPR.
I think I hear Oregon calling you...
ReplyDelete