Sunday, April 27, 2008

Spring Affair Plant Sale


You always spend more than you think you will--even if the containers are small, even plugs. I thought I had $50 worth. I had twice that. Luckily, I'm always dismayed at the quality of lawn art, otherwise, the bill would've been higher.

Sponsored by the NE Statewide Arboretum, UNL Botanical Garden, and the State Fair Park, it was my 2nd time to this cRaZy madhouse of plants. Last year I was overwhelmed and got nothing. This year I came knowing FAR more about plants and what I was looking for and what would work in my garden, and I bought many cool cool cool things--especially variegated iris, sedum, and a Caryopteris. Anything named "gold" or "aurea" or had dark / variegated leaves just jumped in my flat, as some would say. Devilish plants. In no special order:

Achillea 'Apricot' Milfoil Yarrow
Monarda 'Jacob Cline'
Penstemon 'Husker Red' (already have one, and it's COOL)
Viola 'Ultima Morpho'
Viola cornuta 'Johnny-Jump-Up'
Viola pedata Bird's Foot (for the endangered regal fritillary butterfly)
Sedum grisbachii
Sedum kamtschaticum 'The Edge'
Sedum spurium 'Fuldaglut' and 'Tricolor'
Herniaria glabra 'Sea Foam' (good for urinary problems!)
Sempervivum braunii Hen and Chicks (for my grandma)
Sagina subulata 'Aurea' Corsican Pearlwort
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Longwood Blue'
Iris ensata 'Variegata'
Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet' Swamp Milkweed (for the monarchs)
Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed (monarchs...)
Agastache cana 'Sinning' Sonoran Sunset (my lord these smell GOOD)
Veronica fasciculata Ironweed
Acorus calamus Sweet Flag
Acorus G 'Minimus Aureus' Variegated Sweet Flag
Eupatorium rugosom 'Chocolate' Mist Flower (can never have enough of these!)
Liatris punctata Blazing Star
Sundown and Twilight coneflowers (will these die on me again?)
Actaea (cimicifuga) ramosa 'Pink Spike' Bugbane
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Worcester Gold'


11 comments:

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

I know what you mean about ending up spending twice as much as you think it will be at these things. I've seen photos of the 'Ultima Morpho' Viola - it looks gorgeous & I would love to find it somewhere. Good score. The Caryopteris is another drool-inducer. Looks like you'll be busy in the garden.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, looks like you found some great stuff, Benjamin. A few of those things I don't even recognize. Have fun planting!

Frances, said...

What fun, indeed. You scored some good ones, Husker Red, HA. That is a workhorse here, be sure and let it set seed, don't be too tidy in the fall, let the stalks stay all winter, then lay them on the ground where you want more to grow. The seedlings transplant easily.

Anonymous said...

I hope your gloves are dirty by now. What fun you will have (or have had) planting these treasures!

WiseAcre said...

Looking at your list I think you need to go back. I love watching people spend money and calculating how many are needed to keep up with me. It is so good to know i'm not alone with my 'problem'.

Gail said...

What a lovely list of plants, several of my favorites on included....will you post a photo of your planted plants?

So where can we find wonderful yard art? I think we have o look at the BIG craft fairs

gail

Benjamin Vogt said...

MMD--Yeah, that viola looks pretty cool. I've never been much of a viola person, but thought I'd try them. Care to come help me plant? (no, it's better to have one gardener in the garden, isn't it?)
Nan--I hope that, since you don't recognize some, that they're ok plants. I sort of think of you as a gardening sage. SORT OF. Don't let it get to your head.
Layanee--Well, not dirty yet (I know, I know), but that's because I don't want to end up with a bicolor pair like you. Freaky!
Frances--Oh, terrific! I love to hear that the Husker Red sows so easily. Will do, thanks.
WA--If you fron t the money, I will go back. If you also front a time machine, I will go back. Why can't other people's problems be mine (i.e. finance my problem).
Gail--I find the best yard art at big arts festivals. Of course, that means things are a bit more expensive, but I think they then tend to be cooler. It's almost festival season!

Anonymous said...

You are still busy planting all those treasures aren't you?

Anonymous said...

You are still busy planting all those treasures aren't you?

Benjamin Vogt said...

Layanee--I planted the last 4 yesterday! Then I went and bought two shrubs to keep myself outside this weekend: a clethra and an itea.

Unknown said...

Yeah, definitely better to have just one gardener in the garden. (IMHO.) Well, at least in my case!

All that for just around $100? Great deal!!!