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 8, 2015

Lesson Not Learned

     Forgive me Father for I have sinned. 2015 was supposed to be the year that I would start planting more natives in my own garden, and now I must make a painful confession. On my first trip to a nursery this year I came home with 6 new plants, and not a single one is native. If it is any consolation, three of them are not hardy in our winters and will live out their lives in containers, never posing an invasive threat. I'll try to be a better man, until then what should my penance be?

Bromeliad neoregelia

I'm not sure if this an Aloe or a Haworthia, but for $2.49 I can live with uncertainty.

Aloe x 'Pink Blush'

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Ruby Glow'

Sedum 'Cherry Tart'

     I bought a Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream') only because it was 40% off, and I also had a $10 coupon. I have no idea where it will go, and it too may end up in a container until I decide. The photos were "borrowed" from Eshragi Nursery where the maple was grown before being shipped to Virginia.


     Except for the maple, all of these plants are currently living on the kitchen window sill until I think it will be safe for them to go outside.

     Though it's probably not what she had in mind, I've included this in Beth's Lessons Learned meme at Plant Postings. 

...and speaking of memes, don't forget my own Winter Walk-Off 2015. There is still plenty of time to enter. 
Posted by Les at 12:52 PM
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19 comments:

  1. ginamarieMarch 08, 2015 1:05 PM

    lovely, every one. Sure to contribute pleasurable vision to your kingdom!

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  2. AnonymousMarch 08, 2015 1:06 PM

    I like all the choices, but like you they would live indoors at my place too. I enjoy seeing them in places they grow outdoors because the get so huge. As for natives, my garden has many, but I find quite a few non-native plants get many more pollinators. I say plant what the insects need and like. It keeps them coming in droves.

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  3. Lynn HuntMarch 08, 2015 2:06 PM

    Les, do not feel bad. At this time of year it is easy to be tempted. I came home from the grocery store Thursday with a miniature orchid. I know darn well I do not get enough light in the house, but I had to have it.

    If I manage to get to Hendersonville tomorrow, I have an idea for a winter walk-off.

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  4. Beth at PlantPostingsMarch 08, 2015 2:52 PM

    A few non-natives ... it's OK. ;-) You're doing your part, Les. Plus, who could resist these beauties?! Thanks for joining in the meme! And happy spring (almost)!

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  5. tom talleyMarch 08, 2015 8:41 PM

    As long as they are native to the earth.....

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  6. danger gardenMarch 09, 2015 1:03 AM

    Ah come on, don't be so hard on yourself - a man's got to have new plants now and then. It's a Haworthia btw.

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  7. AnonymousMarch 09, 2015 7:14 AM

    They are natives somewhere on Earth. I can't speak for God, but I believe He wants you to enjoy His beautiful bounty. Natives -next trip to nursery. Gail

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  8. SybilMarch 09, 2015 10:01 AM

    You are forgiven my son.

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  9. CeciliaMarch 09, 2015 4:45 PM

    I totally understand you, and there is still enough time to get native plants, isn't it.

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  10. JasonMarch 09, 2015 8:28 PM

    You must bring me a shrubbery. Then another shrubbery. Then you must cut down the mightiest tree in the forest with a herring.

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  11. Barbara/Green ObsessionsMarch 09, 2015 8:49 PM

    Its ok to spoil yourself a little. :) That beautiful striped succulent is Haworthia limifolia var striata "spider white". I love the look.

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  12. AnnieMarch 09, 2015 11:26 PM

    Ahhh, temptations. Not to worry... the season is young and those natives will find their way to your garden.

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  13. outlawgardenerMarch 10, 2015 1:21 AM

    I say if you're gonna be bad, be really bad! Revel in those exotic plants! Or you could do what Jason said. Your choice.

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  14. JansbrushstrokesMarch 10, 2015 10:56 AM

    We'll go to native plant jail together.

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  15. Sarah LaurenceMarch 11, 2015 3:53 PM

    I prefer natives but I admit to admiring those bright Japanese maples in the fall and we have non native cherry tree too. As penance plant some milkweed for the Monarchs!

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  16. JenniferMarch 11, 2015 10:10 PM

    I can think of far worse sins.These will be great additions to your garden. It is still early here for trips to the nursery, but I hope in a months' time I will do a little sinning of my own.

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  17. Hoover BooMarch 13, 2015 8:14 PM

    Gardening is like baseball: there's always next year.

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  18. Casa MariposaMarch 14, 2015 11:41 AM

    Garden confessions are much better than the real kind. If non-natives are considered garden sins, than I'm going straight to hell. I have a lot of natives but a lot of ornamental, too. I'm not sure I would have been able to resist all that Japanese maple temptation, either.

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  19. bfishMay 26, 2015 8:16 PM

    If loving Japanese maples is wrong, I don't want to be right (to borrow from an old song).

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