My work table/desk is piled high with my garden notebook, garden magazines with sticky notes and dozens of Latin words scribbled on scraps of paper, written anytime I saw a plant whose name I wanted to remember for the future. It's all a big jumble that needs to be sorted out.
I figured I had until the new year to get that done. At that point I'd have a list of the things I want to order for the garden. But a list that was well-thought out and included plants that I have a place and a plan for already. No more impulse buying.
Primula 'Oriental Sunrise' from Odyssey Perennials
So I was not as happy as I might have been when Russell Stafford of Odyssy Perennials sent his 2022 catalogue on Friday Nov. 26. The very next day I got an email from Carolyn's Shade Gardens announcing that her 2022 Snowdrop Catalogue would be sent out Dec. 4. Then I got a notice that another favorite source was taking orders for 2022. In the past, I've always jumped on these websites the minute plants were available.
An order of Snowdrops from Carolyn's Shade Garden (above) waiting for spring in my living room a few years ago.
This time I looked at the sites but did not click. In truth, I went back again to look at the plants I could not get out of my mind. Sold out! I guess I'm not alone in my plant lust.
But I really wanted a break to enjoy the holidays and get ready to think spring and gardening after January 1st. I'm glad I held off then as it's helped me remember that I need to add more low maintenance plants to the garden; that means shrubs rather than perennials. Plus I need to be looking at more natives than exotics. January in the wintry midwest is a dangerous time for online garden shopping.
Hah! You are always so well organized and on top of things, at least from my viewpoint, that perhaps this disorder will prove in the long run to have a silver lining. Maybe a big re-think about the garden is trying to sneak in? In any case, you've had a difficult winter so any lapses will hopefully have a silver lining that is not visible at this time.
Posted by: Barbara H. | Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 03:03 PM
Ha! Although in my part of the country we're lucky to have nurseries/garden centers open year-round, the stock in January is consistently ho-hum. That has me also perusing stock available through online companies. I have 2 lists on my desk right now with items I'm trying to justify buying - and that's despite the fact I placed an order in mid-November for plants that won't ship until March 7th. (I could swear that the shipping date was in early February 2022 when I originally placed that order...)
Posted by: Kris P | Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 03:18 PM
BARBARA — I am making lists of what to order and what not to be seduced by. I actually pre-ordered some shrubs for spring delivery from a local nursery last fall. But I am trying to think of less maintenance as well. so we'll see how I do.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 03:18 PM
KRIS — I have really gotten hooked on a few of the nurseries in other parts of the country. The big problem is shipping which is more and more expensive.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 03:20 PM