Spring Plant Buying.

[F, Calla & Luca]

This time of year I get itchy fingers. I buy plants "accidentally" all the time. I used to buy a lot from catalogs and still do. I also but some things from our better local nurseries. But if you want good buys on things that have become more popular or widespread, you can't beat Home Depot. They often have smaller shrubs and nice trees for much less than you can get them elsewhere. Even though now I sometimes get help in planting, I prefer modest size shrubs and I let them get established and grow up here. It's kind of like getting a puppy instead of an adult dog.

Last week I stopped by Home Depot just to see what was in. Four shrubs, some freesias, my first elephant ear, some Milky Spore Disease powder, which kills Japanese beetle grubs,and a few more things made it home.

I bought a cold hardy camellia for $20. I must have spent four times that on the two I have had for some time. For a gardener there are never too many. It is gorgeous.

I also just downloaded an app for my phone  so you can scan the smart codes showing up on plants among other things. Then you can read more info right in the store.

http://howto.homedepot.com/videos/watch/900357916001/Using-QR-Codes...

The camellia is second from the left, isn't she pretty? I saw camellias at the NY Botanical Garden for $68.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You scare me Adina. I have a handy man with a concrete backyard and that is scary too. You can have too many trees but not to have any, I despair. Trees and grass and shrubs help absorb water and prevent flooding which occurs, in part, because things are cut down and paved over. And you do want kids who love nature, I just have to believe you do.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sadly, some ares, not right here I think, will get frost tonight. March is really too early in the northeast and many areas, but we all knew that didn't we? Now the farmers are starting to worry about the budding/blooming fruit tress and what that means for this years fruit crop.

[F, Calla & Luca]

UPDATE:

The Home Depot now has smaller cold hardy camellias for about $10. The same variety that I bought one of for $20 two weeks ago. Needless to say I bought two more : ) All kinds of shrubs are in now in this area. It makes sense to go often because some things change, are sold out etc.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Adina, you must save a ton of money.  One of my great joys in life is to wander through the nursery.  If I get to buy something, so much the better.  Just "window shopping" for plants is even better than window shopping for clothes.  However do you resist all those beautiful textures and colors?  For me plants are like puppies, I have never seen one I didn't like.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I wouldn't go so far as to say I've never seen one I didn't like. Maybe some that just aren't for me. But I never window shop for clothes and I do have to wander through plant nurseries : )

[Molly]

You really have a green thumb!  I noticed you bought elephant ear... I understand dogs love this because it's cool and comfy soft for them in the summertime.  I don't know where you are but here in the northeast it gets very hot and humid and our Molly loves to lie and cool off in plants like daylillies during the summertime, so I thought elephant ear would be perfect for her.

Has anyone else bought elephant ear and had good experience with it and their dog?