Yes, ice is devastating for sure. Mother Nature is not always kind. Here in Minnesota we think it gets pretty harsh, but I used to work with a fellow from Atlanta, Georgia, and he told me about the terrible ice storms they have sometimes. I'll take snow and sub-zero over a sheet of ice any time.

Okay, I have to make a confession somewhere. Might as well be here. I think I might be a plant hoarder, or a plantaholic, or some sort of OCD plant accumulator. I volunteered at the Friends School plant sale so I could shop at their pre-sale and came home with a carload of plants. Then I went to the local master gardener's plant sale and came home with another carload of plants. Then our neighborhood group organized two events in advance of our annual plant sale where we could go help a resident dig up existing gardens, take what we wanted for a nominal fee, and put the rest in the plant sale. Yes, I went home with another two carloads of plants. This is in addition to a number of shopping trips where I did manage to restrain myself a bit, mostly due to very noticeably higher prices. I had been thinking I am getting to the point where I really don't need much except annuals for containers and a few in ground plantings...what have I done? When will it ever stop? I am going to wind up strangled by a vine or lost in a jungle that is my own yard....
But they're just so pretty! Or it's something I don't already have! Or I needed another one!

My DH always laughs and says "it's all about who dies with the most plants", lol. He also gives me a hard time about not being able to find a place to put everything. I will walk through the gardens caring plants, looking for just that right spot for echo effects, and there he is claiming I have tooooooo many plants!!!

I really don't think there is such a thing as "too many plants", so just keep on buying!!!

I too carry plants around trying to find a place to put them. Right now I have a pretty extensive pot ghetto and will have to do some marathon planting this weekend, if the weather cooperates. But I really should stop acquiring plants at some point.

I have the same problem.

Uh oh....I got to that point almost 20 years ago and so....I bought a farm.....

Jeannie, Cinta and Karen...there is no cure......

Now there's an idea... .. ..

If I was 20 years younger, I might consider it but my other half wouldn't for one minute. He is one of 14 kids all raised on a farm, and I think that might have been enough for one lifetime. His Mother was a saint!!

I hear you.
Obviously this is not the site where one could expect to be talked out of buying more plants....
I bought a few more tonight...went to look at what a certain store had because a friend asked me to help her do a container, and the durned things just jumped right into my car.

Lol, Jeanie. I just can't figure that out, but I get home, open the trunk and its full. I swear that I don't remember buying anything, but if they are there you might as well plant them.

@Cookies4kids
Karen and Jeannie - I was 20 years younger when I got this place and wasn't married at the time. I'm still glad I did it but each year is harder. But that first redbud bloom then the spring bulbs - the peonies, lilacs....all of it makes me swoon each Spring.

Catherine, that's what makes it all worth while isn't it! We have three wooded acres here and it was meant for flowers, etc. Every spring is a new beginning that is more glorious than the last one, and it brings new energy with it if you have your health. Even though you may have seen every bud in past years, it's like discovering each new flower for the first time. We are lucky enough to have a virgin woods that surprises us with different wild flowers each spring.

I know it sounds corny, but I love just standing outside at 5:00 am watching a beautiful sunrise and looking at all the plants. I know it will end one day, so I soak it in as much as I can while I can.

Well said! Now, which new perennials do I want? Hmmmmm........ Hey Clint, where can I get that new gold bleeding heart with white flowers?

I saw that one in our local nursery yesterday now if I could only find my Helenium Tie Dye. I thought I found it at Funkie but they were out

Where did you see the bleeding heart? Send via tree mail if you prefer. Have you tried Tangletown Gardens for Tie Dye?

well I want one of everything!

Another plantaholic heard from! Welcome!

That new bleeding heart with white flowers comes out this fall. It's at growers now. That's what I was told! I can't wait to try it!

I want one of everything too! We have an acre here. DH wants to sell this place before retiring and move to a place with 'no yard'. He has visions of a court yard with mostly concrete. I have less than six years to enjoy this place and my plants. So I'm getting as many as possible to enjoy while I can. Of course, this is my plan as long as my health lasts. I suffer fibromyalgia, arthritis, hip and shoulder problems. Nothing that will kill me, just slows me down but doesn't stop me.

Joy said:I want one of everything too! We have an acre here. DH wants to sell this place before retiring and move to a place with 'no yard'. He has visions of a court yard with mostly concrete. I have less than six years to enjoy this place and my plants. So I'm getting as many as possible to enjoy while I can. Of course, this is my plan as long as my health lasts. I suffer fibromyalgia, arthritis, hip and shoulder problems. Nothing that will kill me, just slows me down but doesn't stop me.

well Joy, my yard is co-owned by US and my name is on the paperwork. Nothing sells unless I ALSO agree to it.
maybe the two of you could reach an agreement to put in a large courtyard/patio at the place you are at? Then he would have what he wants, and you could still have your plants.