Just wanted to drop a line about my trip to USF Botanical Gardens last week. I needed to get out of the house or risk my sanity, so off I went! I'm a member, and if you're not aware, the American Horticultural Society has a great reciprocal program where you can visit other gardens for free. Check out the link here:
http://www.ahs.org/gardening-p...
FYI, Selby Gardens started enforcing the 90 mile exclusion this year. I emailed them about it since USF members have always gotten in free and I was super bummed. The admissions lady told me they had to start enforcing it because one particular garden's members were abusing the program (she wouldn't divulge who). But she told me USF members would be welcome. I'm about 75 miles away and I really don't want to pay $19 to get into Selby. I like it, but maybe not as often at that price. Besides, I always eat at their pricey cafe to make up the difference. And hide my wallet in their plant shop! I told myself last time I wasn't going to buy anything but came home with two bromeliads. Still, two isn't that bad, right?
I know we're having a bit of a cold spell (for us) but I thought I'd just remind people that it's really great to visit botanical gardens, preserves, or parks at different times of the year because you really do see some surprises. There were plants I took pictures of that were the first to be added to the database! And it's not like I haven't been there dozens of times so why didn't I take a picture before? Because they weren't "interesting" enough. For example, this Canary Tree was absolutely covered in happy bees.
Canary Tree (Bakeridesia integerrima) I'm sure it looks like a plain green shrub most of the year so I never bothered to really look at it.
The gardens also have a small plant shop. USF stopped giving the gardens money during the recession so they have to charge admission ($5) where it used to be free. It's free to members, though and very reasonable. Also, they have their huge spring and fall plant festivals each year in April and October! Maybe start planning now? It's where I buy most of my plants. I did want to highlight the plant shop because I know some of you like Hoyas, and I remember Hetty was looking for a particular one (Hoya macgillavrayi). I looked, but I didn't see it. They have lots of them, though. They always do. Here's some pictures. The ones in the 5 inch pots are $7 and the hanging ones are $15.
You never really know what you're going to find. I bought myself a mounted tillandsia for $15. Oh, members get 10% off! And we get into the plant sales a half hour early which is paramount if you want to beat the collectors. Just watch out for the orchid folks - I'm convinced they're all insane! Like, they might shank you if you get in their way.
Here's my Tillandsia stretophylla (red form).
I've been to some other plant sales in the area, and I really like USF because they have a lot of the plant clubs and societies, as well as a few regular vendors. People that are always there include the Native Plant Society (I buy so many butterfly host plants from them!), the Bromeliad Guild (I should just hand them all my money), the African Violet and Gesneriad Society, the Begonia Society, the Rare Fruit Council, there's a man that sells only Gingers, there's a vendor that sells carnivorous plants. Of course, there are always several orchid vendors including one of the clubs. Colorfield Farms is always there; Crowley's Nursery is usually there. I know I'm leaving some out. But if you are interested in a particular type of plant, it's a great place to go to find some rare species and cultivars, plus you can talk plants with people who totally understand them. And the clubs generally charge very reasonable prices. I've gotten some super bargains. Which reminds me, the Soroptimist Society usually sets up and they sell a variety of random plants for as little as 50 cents!
I'll have to add the plant sales to the events calendar here. Keep it in mind if you need to wander over this way come April. I might also be convinced to do private tours of the butterfly garden at MOSI! And it's right across from USF!