An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

March 17, 2013

Back to Sandy's

This past Friday several of us from the gardens took a trip to Mechanicsville, Va. for the open house at Sandy's Plants.  This is a way the people at Sandy's introduce new plants for the year, welcome spring and possibly drum up a little business.  We were also fed very well and given a free plant coupon. During the presentation we made lots of notes for possible additions at the botanical garden, afterward Sandy herself gave a tour of the display gardens surrounding her house.  We were then let loose to roam the nursery in golf carts. I have been here before, but the last time I did not buy much for my own garden. Now that I have a tour to get ready for, and since I have removed a large patch of English ivy, I now have a reason and space for new plants.  This is what followed me home:

Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance'
Carex siderosticha 'Banana Boat'
Verbascum ‘Banana Custard’
Delosperma congestum 'Gold Nugget'
Delosperma dyeri 'Red Mountain'
Hosta 'Pineapple Upsidedown Cake'
1 Helleborus hybridus 'Grape Galaxy'
Helleborus hybridus 'Golden Lotus'

Although Mechanicsville is not terribly far away, it is in a different climate zone and things were not as far along there as they are here. Still, the gardens looked good, and for this flatlander, it is always nice to see a hill or two.

Top of the Steps (3)


Top of the Steps (2)


Three Green Chairs


Front Garden


Stepable Logo with Yellow Twig Dogwood

Euphorbia wulfenii
Euphorbia wulfenii

Hellebores were everywhere on display, and for sale as well.
Helleborus (2)

Zantedeschia aethiopica 'White Giant'
Zantedeschia aethiopica 'White Giant'

Cyclamen coum
Cyclamen coum (3)


Cyclamen coum

I think this is Euphorbia rigida.
Euphorbia


Office Gate


Sandy's

Sandy's is primarily a wholesale nursery, and the open house was only for people in the business, but you can find their plants at many garden centers throughout the mid-Atlantic.  However, they also sell retail and encourage visitors, you just need to check the website for details and hours.

Although I haven't had to say it in a while, the usual disclaimer is in place.  I have not been compensated in anyway for this post, I just enjoy what I do.

(One more thing - this will be the last reminder that my Winter Walk-Off ends on Tuesday at midnight, and I will take entries until then.  You can look for my wrap-up sometime towards the end of the week once I pull it all together.)

13 comments:

  1. Sandy will be speaking at our Master Gardener class this week. And, I have started my winter walk-off post.
    --Ray

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    1. Sadly Sandy was unable to attend...

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    2. Ray, I am sorry Sandy had to bow out. I hope it was for some reason other than illness.

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  2. Good start on your tour preparation!!

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    Replies
    1. I have so much more to do to get ready.

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  3. I love to dig in the dirt too !

    Unfortunately it's as hard as concrete still. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

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    1. I wish I could tell you winter is on its way out, but it is still firmly in place down here.

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  4. Love the Zantedeschia and the Cyclamen! Happy gardening!

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    1. I liked the Cyclamen too, but I am going to hold out for C. hederifolium.

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  5. You seem to have a bit of a banana theme going with your plant selection... Though in fairness who could resist a verbascum called 'banana custard'? Look forward to seeing those plants in your garden, proof that removing ivy is well worth it when it is covering good growing ground. Beautiful photos of the euphorbias, made me want to touch them. Wearing gloves, of course...

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    Replies
    1. I am a huge fan of banana custard, but down south it is referred to as banana puddin' (puddin' rhymes with wooden).

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  6. Les -
    I have been to the Norfolk area a couple times and just love it there! It was so cool to stumble upon you blog. I live in Texas where spring has really sprung!! It's very green down here! This is the first year I have really gotten into gardening and really have no clue about anything. Next time I'm in Norfolk I'd love to visit the Botanical Gardens. So very cool!!!

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  7. I miss Sandy's -- need to have a large nursery close by. Love that flat of Cyclamen....that would be going home with me!!

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