How many plants can one carry in their truck?

Ok--so the big plants sales are coming up next week and I am suppose to be saving my money for them. Well, I just visited two great whole sale (whole sale customers only) nurseries yesterday with my fellow "Gals in Green", who are also horticulturists/landscape designers/landscape architects. I told my self that I would only buy one or two plants. Well that was not the case--I had to stuff them inside my truck, in the truck bed and one on my lap to get them all home. When I saw the Yellow columbine, Ladies Mantle, Goats beard, Hostas, Trilliums, Red flowering dogwood to name a few, they let me know that I should take them home with them so they could live in my yard. The next nursery was no different - Fothergilla, which I love for its four season appeal! We ended our trip at one of the Gals in Green's home. Did I mention she has a plant nursery too? More plants come home with me...... I'm not going to divulge how many plants I bought yesteday as I am feeling a little guilty for over doing it. Yesteday was Christmas for me--to me, there is no finer gift than a plant . Please tell me that there are other people out there like me. Is there a support group for us plant geeks?

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Permalink Reply by jenmonet on April 27, 2008 at 6:00pm

I am always on the search for affordable nurseries that offer flowers, hanging baskets, etc. I am pretty new to Asheville so I have not discovered many nurseries that "fit" the bill. When I lived in Kentucky I would buy from a nursery in the country and also at a flea market where you could buy from growers. Any ideas on places to go around Asheville area or further out. I am always up for a drive for a great selection and reasonable prices. Your post made me smile as my mom and I have both found ourselves with not enough room in the car a time or two because there were "just too many good ones to chose from!".

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Permalink Reply by Polly McDaniel on April 27, 2008 at 9:06pm

I feel the same way over the plants I got at the French Broad River Garden Club plant sale and the Blue Ridge Horticulture Association sale on Saturday. So excited over these plants! I don't want a support group. I'm happy with it.

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Permalink Reply by GardenThymeGirl on April 27, 2008 at 9:45pm

BB Barns, which is a high end retail garden, has the most interesting selection of plants around, Painters, Henns, Jesse Israel's at the Farmer's Market have good plants. I've never been to Reem's Creek Nursery Center, but I hear they have a neat selection. I like A Growing Concern in Hendersonville--great selection.

You would be amazed at how many people donate plants on www.freecycle.org (Asheville or Hendersonville location) You can get all kind of garden-related items from people that want to get rid of it. I'm fond of swapping plants with others--sure can save a lot of money that way. I'm trading some Lamium ground cover for a bunch of thyme (Are you reading this Polly?) Perennials are more expensive, but in the long run--they are more cost effective. Some plants reseed and save you money. I like to plant impatients in masses--they reseed and come back every year. There are many places besides the ones I mentioned. The sad truth is that the cost of plants is going up due to the gas prices--delivery trucks must deliver the plants to the retail centers, but we find a way to afford our plants and cut back on other things if needed. GTG

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Permalink Reply by Polly McDaniel on April 27, 2008 at 10:29pm

Like you need more thyme, GTG! (yes, I am reading this)
But like I said in last week's blog, plant swaps are the way to go, especially if you are starting out. Nurseries and garden centers are where to go to find quality specimen plants.

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Permalink Reply by GardenThymeGirl on April 28, 2008 at 12:35pm

Hey the Thyme was heading to the land fill before I said that I would take all of it from a buddy. I would have had nightmares over the Thyme ending up at the dump. You can never have enough Thyme/Time--right? I love putting it on the edge of my container plants--it drapes nicely, smells great and has a nice airy texture to it. I know there are Thyme Lovers out there......Please, some one come to my rescue--ha ha GTG

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Permalink Reply by jenmonet on April 28, 2008 at 7:13pm

Thanks for the suggestions. BB barns does have gorgeous plants (and is near where I live) but just a bit too costly for me. I will look into the other nurseries you suggested and I have not been to WNC Market in awhile so will check them out. I can try out A Growing Concern next month when HV hopefuly has their flower sale over memorial weekend. As far as the thyme, I will have to check that out as I have never added that to my pots.

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Permalink Reply by GardenThymeGirl on April 28, 2008 at 9:53pm

You may even try Lowes Garden Center also--My buddy and I were talking about Lowes tonight. They have had the best selection of plants/flowers/trees ever this Spring, in the Arden area. You will notice that later in the summer, you will find plants cheaper in the nurseries and garden centers--you probably will get some better deals at that time. Put the word out: "I'm looking for PLANTS" and you may recieve more plants than you could every imagine. GTG

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Permalink Reply by jenmonet on April 29, 2008 at 7:13pm

I went to Lowes this weekend and bought a bunch of flowers and a hibiscus as I had a $10 off coupon if you bought $50 worth of stuff. I did get some great deals last summer as the summer went on at a few nurseries which is great as the newer plants can "replace" some of those that might not be doing so good in the heat. I always try to find the "right" spot for containers and baskets as they are happer in some spors more than others. I also bought some baskets last year at Amazing Savings in Black Mtn that did great all summer. Gardening is so much fun and a learning experience if you are kind of new at it.

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Permalink Reply by Doug on May 1, 2008 at 10:47am

We discovered Raymond's Garden Center in Hendersonville last weekend when they had their annual perrenial sale. Lots of plants, great and knowledeable staff, and the sale prices were outstanding. We marked our calendar for next year! Check em out if you are down that way, they are on Kanuga Road.