Well... I left home at 9am and just got back at 2pm. Beaumont is about 35 miles east of me. And it's a very easy drive... only a couple TINY small towns in-between (so tiny you don't even have to stop for a traffic signal or stop sign). My first stop was at a kinda small nursery (Beaumont Greenery). Very friendly and helpful folks. I found one of the plants on my list instantly. Homestead Purple Verbena ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Notice how easy it is to spot? Texas-shaped tags and a pot that identifies itself right-away. And here's it's "close-up". Homestead Purple Verbena-close ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) They had more "Texas" plants, but none for my zone or on my list. But I did go ahead pick up two Shock Wave Petunias. Shock Wave Petunias ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) After I strolled around and looking at everything. I showed my "wish list" to one of the guys to make sure I didn't miss something. He took the time to look over it and checked with his boss to make sure they didn't have them. I really appreciated that. I'll probably return there in a month or so and check out their summer stock. Oh yeah... very nice selection of plants and good prices. I spent less than $13.00 there. Next stop... Sunshine Plants. Bigger place and also very friendly and helpful. At first glance I thought their plants didn't look so healthy. But as you got further inside they looked pretty good. So, I did the same routine, wander through each section and each greenhouse looking at everything... and especially looking for those Texas-shaped tags and pots. I soon spotted some and found another plant on my list. But it just didn't look super-duper great... at least not for $15. But, I wanted it. So I picked it up anyhow. It is the Mexican Mint Marigold. Mexican Mint Marigold ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) So I figured I stay with my routine and show my list to the attendant. And again he checked it thoroughly and pointed out that they had the Black-Eyed Susan on my list. Cool. He takes me to where they were (and no wonder I missed them... they weren't prominently labeled). So I go to check out and the owner asks to see my list and pointed out a few things they should be getting in later on. And he tells me, you can have that Marigold for $5.00 since it was leftover from last year. Now you're talking! So I went back and got a second one. Mexican Mint Marigold ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Yep... I'll be returning there in a month also. And spent less than $15. Next stop. Al Cook's. HUGE place. Beautiful. Waterfalls and streams throughout. One greenhouse for fruit trees. One for tropicals. One for succulents and so on and on. Seems their main supplier is Monrovia. I didn't find one "Texas" plant. But they did have some other nice things... but nothing even close to anything on my list. But I couldn't leave empty-handed so I choose a Surfinia. A what? That's what I said. But it appears to be a type of Petunia. And, I liked it and the price was right ($5) so I got it. Surfinia ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Surfinia-close ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) I showed them my wish list and they said they don't get any of those plants. Oh well... Had to ask, right? They had a great assortment of plants, so the next time I can't find something near work, I keep this place in mind. Okay... I did pretty good I thought. Time to head home. Then I pass by a recently-opened hardware store with a big sign saying "nursery now open". Okay... why not check them out too? And what do you know... I found a Lavendar that was on my list and decided to go ahead and get another Black-eyed Susan. ($6 each). Lavendar ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) So now I'm just waiting on it too cool off this evening so I can get these in the ground.
Beautiful, especially that Verbena. The Mexican Mint Marigold (aka Texas Tarragon, Mexican Tarragon) is a wonderful carefree plant. Spreads a bit but that I don't mind since it smells soooooo good. I haven't tried it in cooking yet but I am thinking of making a tarragon chicken salad when mine starts coming back this spring. I finally found a Texas Native nursery up here too. I need to back there next week to see what else have available. I wonder what a garden center or nursery is thinking when they don't carry plants for the planting zone they are selling in?
I've always wondered why the nurseries did that too, Toni. I can see maybe a zone difference, but here in zone 8, I saw things for zone 5 through 10. I was a good girl and stuck to Z8... this time.
Nice collection. Sounds like you had a fun day. Couldn't help but catch..."had to wait until it cooled off". I keep reminding myself of your 100 degree summers, or I'd be packing my bags.
Envy, envy, envy! I'm glad you had such good luck, but I wish I'd been there, too! Do try the Mexican Mint Marigold (tagetes lucida) as a substitute for French tarragon. I can't tell the difference in the taste, and the MMG can withstand our humidity, where the French just lays over and gives up life. You'll enjoy the little yellow flowers in the fall, when most plants are shutting down.
Jewell.... I decided to wait until this evening to plant them. We set a record yesterday with 92F!! I knew it was hot but not THAT hot! Netty... It was fun. I had no schedule and just took my time and enjoyed the hunt, but also just enjoyed looking at all the flowers/plants. Jane... I thought of you at that BIG nursery. I saw a few plants from "Annie's Bloomers". And I got the Mex-Mint Marigold just for the fall flowers. Now I guess I should figure how out to cook with it too, huh?
I couldn't stand the fact that I didn't find the "most wanted" item on my wish list... so I made a trip into Houston yesterday to get it.... Chrysactinia mexicana 'Damianita'.... a native that blooms from Spring to Fall and likes it hot and dry. So... that's why I really wanted it. The nursery I visited carries lots of Natives... actually, it's a part of their name. I had been emailing a staff member there for a few weeks. So I headed down there (about a 30 minute drive). And I came home with not only the Damianita, but some other things on my list... Snowball Bush, Pink Texas Skullcap, Blackfoot Daisy, Red Hot Pokers, Coneflowers, and Blue Daze. The place had other things I have on my list, but like I told the attendant, If I bought everything at once, what would I do when I got the urge to go plant shopping again? So... I'm done with my Native Plant Shopping for this year (maybe). It has been a fun search and I'm happy to have found at least three good places to go for other-than-the-standard flowers/plants.
Congratulations on your new plants. May they prosper and give you joy for years to come. I'd like to see photos once they're established.
Well done Cheryl,..and a great selection of plants,..i always have to smile at your tactics or antics when on a plant searching trip,..you always do so well and not at a high cost.
Droopy... I can guarantee there will be photos later on (that is if everything doesn't just die on me). Philip... One of the reasons I'm done with "native shopping" is... I've totally spent too much money on plants and it's only March! But what the heck. It's fun! And I earned it... I can spend it any way I want. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
Now you have three places you can buy native plants I doubt you'll be able to sit on your hands for long. I always mean to be good and keep my money in my pockets but somehow the plants just scream at me to take them home. I think our car is set to automatically turn into garden centres and, honestly, seems to like have plants filling it up. You've picked up a few little beauties there Cheryl and I look forward to hearing about their progress. :-D
Shopping with a flower list. A lady that knows what she wants. Most interesting is the Idea that you are trying for flowers that are native to the Texas climate. I am looking forward to pictures of your native plant adventure as it matures. The hot weather during the last few years is enough to make crispy critters of many non-native species. So much so that maybe Mother Nature is trying to tell us something. Perhaps I will shop with a short list next time, though shopping aimlessly through the aisles is also fun. Jerry
Cheryl, What fun you must have had on your plant shopping adventure. You lucky duck, I love seeing the pics of the GREEN growing things. There are none here YET. I am jealous
Eileen...It's going to be hard to resist the urge to shop, but I really need to let the plants grow a bit... I'd hate to crowd everything too much. But, there's always some containers that need some flowers! Jerry... Over the winter, I decided I need to make a change in my planting. It was so depressing looking out in the garden and only seeing a little life. So... I started doing some research and making me a list. My search criteria...perennial, evergreen, long-blooming, natives for Zone 8. My list includes a photo of the plant, it's attributes, hardiness zones, plant size, blooming period, sun requirement... and made sure to have both the botanical and common names. I came up with nearly 30 plants that I really liked. And as I have talked to folks, I've scratched some off just because of their experience with it. My list then shrunk to 21. It's been extremely helpful in keeping me from buying the wrong plants. And I totally agree... shopping aimlessly has it perks too! A few plants not on my list did follow me home. Kay... Yes, it's been a blast. There's just something about wanting and looking for something and then actually seeing it "in person" for the first time and bringing it home with you! (Geez... kinda sounds like a dating service doesn't it?)
