Feeling disheartened

[Jardack]

I've been making plans for the bed under my apple tree and went to a couple of GC today armed with my list to see what they had in stock.

One of the people I spoke to came across so dismissive of my plants and kept pointing out what they were (i.e thats a bulb) that they were past flowering (I knew that as the flowering period was written against each).

The second one I went to was better, but she said that I wouldnt be able to get most of my choices and that most of them wouldnt grow there

I thought the research I'd done here and using the Crocus site meant I had got them all ok and was really looking forward to getting them and now feel like I might as well not bother and just get something else.

Its quite a large bed - the front side of the bed (as you look at it) is 1.6m wide by 2.2m so am going to need a fair bit to fill it.

Dunno what to do now, anyone want to make me smile ?

Jardack
(off to find chocolate in the fridge...)

[Weeterrier]

Yes, go to the Chiltern Seeds website, and order white Campanula persicifolia, white Digitalis, white Hesperis matronalis , white Polemonium caeruleum.
They are all really easy to grow, I promise.
Sorry, perhaps you didn't want these ones?
Have you tried any online suppliers? Having worked in Garden Centres, I know how they work. The growers send out a "Looking Good" list, and often this is what is ordered, and usually it is in flower. That is why you may not find plants that are beyond their flowering time. Most ordinary customers don't want anything without a flower. i used to be embarrassed when customers came with a list, and I had to send them away empty-handed.
A privately owned nursery would be different.
What was it you were looking for? Maybe I could give you some pointers?
Don't be down-hearted, there is always a way

[Jardack]

Thanks WeeTerrier

Am feeling better now as just eaten a gorgeous chocolate tart

I was looking for :-
Cyclamen Coum
Epimedium (no-one seems to have heard of this)
Fritillaria
Dicentra
Tiarell
Snowy Woodrush
Campanula

I will have a look at the Chiltern website, although I had no luck whatsoever with any seeds this year!

I will also try and find a privately owned nursery as the two I went to were part of a chain. I just feel a bit intimidated by the little ones as I know so little about gardening (if that makes sense)

Jardack

[Weeterrier]

That makes perfect sense. Tomorrow, I will look up some websites I know, to see if they have what you want in stock. They may be based in Scotland, but will mail anywhere. You should be able to source all of them without much bother. if you can't find Epimedium, I have loads, i'll send you some!

[Cheerypeabrain]

Don't be put off by these people...you've worked hard on your list so try and stick to your plan! Sometimes it's hard to get hold of certain plants...but you wait...if it's meant to be, one will turn up. Chiltern Seeds and Nicky's seeds are good...and if you get stuck you could try the RHS website.
Good Luck
CPBX

[Jardack]

Thanks WeeTerrier and Cheeryperbrain

I am showing how sad I am now - I have an excel spreadsheet with all the plants on (was working out flowering periods to make sure all months covered ) and I am now marking up prices from Crocus, JParker, T&M and Suttons

I will get my white bed one way or another!

Weeterrier, if you do have white epimedium I would love some as they don't seem to have them on the sites I am looking at

Jardack

[Weeterrier]

Just as I posted that, I realised it would be the white one you wanted. I have the yellow one. Damn. But you are welcome to that if we cannot find the white one, WHICH WE WILL. Don't order anything yet!
Wait till I get back to you tomorrow.

[Jardack]

Thank you

I am not ordering anything yet, will get all the prices from each and work from there. Logging off anyway now as MrJ has just come home

Night night

JD

[jean]

Don't get put off JD, having a look online is a great place to start as you will soon find out whats availabe and can compare the prices and sizes of plants, you may find even adding the postage on there won't be much difference in cost. Stick with it

[Chuckles]

Don't give up Jardack It's so unfair the way the GC's work these days, I cringe every time I go to one to be honest. It's right what Weet says about what they stock. Unfortunatley the majority of customers spoil it for the minority of us that just want to buy plants wether they are in flower or not. I went looking for one of the new Hostas and got told "we only stock what the supplier sends us, if it's new out we won't get it untill next year". A good old fashioned nursery is the best IMO and don't worry about feeling intimidated, take your list with you. You should hear me sometimes asking for something and getting the name wrapped round my neck

[Weeterrier]

Hi Jardack. I have looked up the Jacques Amand website. It is a specialist bulb grower, and has a good reputation. They have the white Dicentra, Cyclamen, and Frittilaria. More investigation tomorrow!

[Weeterrier]

If you go to Binny Plants online, they have the Epimedium in white, and the Tiarella, perhaps some others . they specialise in woodland plants. They too have a good reputation. my neighbour is a very keen knowledgeable gardener, and she buys many plants from them.
binnyplants.co.uk
Also, let me know about the Epimedium I have. And the Hesperis, if you would like one.
Hope this is a start for you.

[Shrubrose]

jardack just had a look at Binnys as recommended by wt. Looks good. Have posted the link below

www.binnyplants.co.uk

[Barbara]

jardack i have white campanula,
you can have some if you want it.
or i can send you seeds, it self seeds all round my garden.

[Weeterrier]

Hi Barbara, that's what I love about Campanula. It seeds in places that I would never think a plant would survive.

Shrub, thanks for the link, i don't know how to do that, but at least I have conquered Smileys. ;D

[Jardack]

OOhhh thank you everyone

You are all so nice and have made me feel much better now

I am having a look at the binny plants website now. I will also be brave a try out some of the local independant nursery places, I am sure there must be one specialising in woodland type plants somewhere (I know there is an architectural plants one which I love looking round).

Barbara, thank you for the offer, that is very kind, I will PM you later when the littlies are in bed.

Been working v hard all day in the front garden so off to take some pics of it now and will speak to you all later.

Thank you again for helping me and cheering me up you are all 's

Jardack

[Shrubrose]

wt it's easy - and I say that sincerely as I am no whizz - when you're on the website, left click on the address at the top of the page (right at the top, near the edge of the screen) when it's highlighted then right click on it and select 'copy', then go to your message and post it in there. Have a go.

[Weeterrier]

Thanks Shrub, I will.

[Juliet]

Jardack, if there's still anything you can't find via the other links & suggestions you've been given, try the RHS plant finder: www.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantfinder/plantfinder.asp - just type in the plant you're looking for & click on suppliers & it will give you a list, many of which will do mailorder & some may even be in your area.

Broadleigh have white Cyclamen coum & white Fritillaria, btw, or did last time I looked: www.broadleighbulbs.co.uk/

[Jardack]

Thanks Juliet

I have had a look there too and now have suppliers for all my plants

I am going to map it out later to make sure on the size of the area and then try and sort out a planting scheme so I know how many things I need to buy...

And phooey to the GC's as am not buying any of them there now

Jardack

[Shrubrose]

I too am disheartened by GC's. Had a trip to one yesterday and found it, as usual, very poor on the variety of shrubs on offer and what was available had virtually no information, or none, attached. Maybe it's just this particular one? It seems to be investing more in 'lifestyle' trade than plants. I think I need to go to nurseries, as has been suggested here. They have a good restaurant though ;D

[Jardack]

I think that as gardens are becoming more popular (as opposed to gardening) that a lot of people want easy to see plants that look pretty instantly. I know I used to before the bug bit me when we moved last year.

There are a lot of other things on sale at most GC's these days too - childrens toys etc and the two nearest me seem to have more space dedicated to non plants. Plus the plant area was very empty. I know its August, but would have expected a little more in stock (esp Fridays in preparation for the weekend)

I will just have to be brave and head to the independant nursery places instead...

Jardack

[Shrubrose]

Well jardack, if I can do it so can you. There is one near to me with a very eccentric owner (nice eccentric ;D). You end up knowing more about his family than the plant you're buying! I usually go there for trees but will resolve to go for other things now I think. Good luck with your buying expedition and keep us posted with pics.

[Jardack]

Thanks Shrubrose

I have just had a look on yell and there is an arboretum near me that also sells shrubs etc so will go there as I am sure they will be able to help me....

Jardack

[Weeterrier]

Jardack, nurseries are like everywhere else. Who would you rather serve? Some know-it-all who comes in and doesn't even want to speak to you because she thinks she may know more than you, or the novice, eager to have you help her and hear her recommendations?
Of course, most customers will be in the middle, ordinary gardeners looking for something special. But Nurserymen with a love of plants will be more than eager to pass their passion on to you. Go in, admit that you need a little guidance, tell them your plans, and if they are unfriendly, turn and go elsewhere, because that person will be in the minority.
As Shrubrose says, you are more likely to find the opposite! Happy hunting ;D

[Jardack]

Thanks Weeterrier

Just a shame I am at work for the next two days as I want to go shopping now! (stamps feet )

Will let you all know how I get on....

Jardack

[Plocket]

Don't be put off Jardack - garden centres and nurseries tend to be seasonal because it's easier to sell stuff that looks good, with flowers if possible. Stick to your guns - you know what you want and you know it will look wonderful when it's done. At the same time though gardening is never instant (unless you've had Ground Force in for a weekend ) - have a hunt around for things that are in flower now, and then you can start work on the summer/autumn look. Soon it will be time to start putting in bulbs so you will then be able to do that, and in the spring there will be other things available. Take a step back now and a deep breath - your lovely garden WILL happen, but it will take time. Keep us posted

[Plocket]

Oh and I can't believe noones heard of Epimedium!!!!! I got one of mine where I visited some gardens open to the public - they had a shade garden and were selling them off for peanuts.

Here's some links that might help:

www.plantsforshade.co.uk/

www.crocus.co.uk/plantingideas/home/?ContentType=Plant_Card&ClassID=2742

(I can recommend Crocus - their plants are absolutely lovely and very healthy, but the post isn't cheap so make sure you have a big order to balance it out a bit ;D )