Goodies in the Mail

When I left you yesterday, I had every intention of running out to the store, picking up the few supplies I needed for the day's work on the greenhouse, and getting right at it to see how much more I could accomplish.  My body, on the other hand, was telling me that yesterday would be better spent taking a break from the heavy work I've been doing this week.  My shoulders and my hands feel much better now, but the weather isn't cooperating.  It's cold and rainy, so there will be no outside work today.

Yesterday was a good day for other reasons, partially because this arrived at my doorstep.

It was my order from Plant Delights, a wonderful nursery in Raleigh, NC.  I grow hundreds of roses in my garden, but roses are not the only thing that I love.  Plant Delights has a staggering assortment of rare and unusual plants ... many of the gorgeous hostas in my shade garden came from them.  Tony Avent, the owner, is a nationally-known author and speaker, with a very fun sense of humor ... an example of which was the graphic on the side of my box of plants.

(Tony is also the author of the book "So You Want to Start a Nursery", which is a no-nonsense must-read for everyone who thinks they want to get into the nursery business.)

When packaging plants for shipment, it's important to protect them from whatever the shipping company can possibly subject them to.  The folks at Plant Delights take great care to make sure that their plants are secure, so they arrive at your house in the same condition they were in when they left the nursery.

Each plant was cushioned with shredded paper, wrapped in newsprint, and carefully arranged in the box ... which was then filled with styrofoam peanuts.

What plants were in the box?

Paeonia 'Magenta Gem' ... I love peonies, especially the singles and semi-double ones!  This one will coordinate beautifully with another new one for me, Krinkled White.

Plant Delights photo

Punica granatum 'Eight Ball' (perennial hardy pomegranate)  I bought two of these ... one for me and one for a friend.

Plant Delights photo

and Hosta 'Teaspoon'.  I'm a sucker for hostas that are either huge or tiny, and I'm really excited to have this little beauty for my collection.

Plant Delights photo

What else was in the box?  A cat, of course.  Dorothy hopped right inside as soon as I removed the last of the packaging.  Boxes and bags and laundry baskets are irresistable to cats ... we call them 'Cat Traps'.

Plant Delights is having a fall sale.  Select plants are 20% off, while they last.  To shop the sale, click HERE.