Last weekend I wore a “First Timer” sign around my neck at the annual Garden Writers Association symposium in Indianapolis. It was awesome! As I tell you a little about it, keep in mind the old saying, “Don’t hate me because you ain’t me.” And if your jealously rises to hurricane proportions, you can always come along next year.
The people I met were wonderful, the gardens I visited were inspiring, and I learned so much from the writing workshop and lectures. But I have to admit, what puts the biggest smile on my face is free plants.
Checking out. The bags that are hanging from the top bar are full of freebie plants and those on the bottom are the ones I begged for.
I ran up 2 flights of stairs to drop a load and back down to get more before all the other greedy gardeners gobbled up the large sample plants. Clockwise from upper-right is cabernet (Berberis thun atropurpurea ‘Moretti Select’), forever & ever white out hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘White Ball’), nandina ‘Flirt’ and vanilla strawberry hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Renhy’).
The very best part – I do a little happy dance every time I think of it – is some of the plants are so new you won’t be able to buy them until 2012. I get to try them first. Now stop hatin’ on me, or I won’t tell you what I got.
If I had gone last year I would have a ‘Pink Lemonade’ blueberry. It has delicious PINK fruit, but this year they gave out ‘Pink Champagne’ blueberry. It has frosty pink fruit.
If I was a plant breeder and I was giving plants to a bunch of garden writers, I’d want to give them only my biggest rockstars. Following is a list of the give-aways so you can check them out if you want.
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Everlasting Garnet’
Elephant ear (Colocasia ‘Bikini-tini’) hardy to zone 6
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Baby Lace’
You may be wondering how this weekend changed my life, well so am I. But I have a strong feeling that somehow something I learned or someone I met is going to open a new door for me. I’ll let you know when I walk through.
That is awesome. I’ve thought about joining that organization but didn’t know how worthwhile it would be. Getting those plants would be an incentive!
Good for you – and I don’t “hate” you. I’m just very, VERY jealous
I can’t wait to see which door you will walk through as they begin to open. Best wishes for an exciting future. May all your “freebies” flourish!
Thanks Rebecca! I recommend a little plant therapy at your local nursery to treat that jealously.
Everything looks so wonderful. I can’t wait to see how these plants do for you!
I didn’t see that”Southern Belle, ” while we were there. Gorgeous! The funniest part of the weekend was when you had so much to carry but told the grower “If I have to, I’ll take it in my teeth.” Great post – thank you for taking the time to include so many photos, since everything is so new.
I disagree about that being the funniest part
We did have fun. I’m telling some stories on my next post.
What you hear, here
What you see, here
Stays, here
Once you leave, here
Remember, you may depend on my kindness NEXT time.
Good point. I just sent you an email, and you have full editorial control.
Well I would have loved it if you could have photoshopped me skinny, but I’ll take it!
I love your pampas grass too. You have inspired me to propagate more often. I found two “Blushing Bride” hydrangeas layering themselves so I’ll keep you posted on how they do. They actually blush light blue for me because of the PH in my soil. I don’t think it is widely known that they do that!