I went to a garden show last weekend here and there were no lily bulbs to buy. What happens is I usually buy a couple to start indoors and just that smell of bulbs feeds my lily addiction for a month or so while I await the spring arrivals. I asked about them and they said the place they usually get them is going through bankruptcy. So as I did not ask *who* it was, I know they are all tied together somehow and that it would likely be the case then for several. Didn't know it was Van B that they used, but it makes so much sense now. Anything and everything I have ever (yes I mean EVER) gotten in a bag was either all three wrong OR at least two of three wrong.
Then I take a moment and smile. I love places like the Lily Garden, who, if a wrong bulb is sent, cheerfully sends you the right one. Or Faraway Flowers who does the same. Or the Lily Nook, who does the same. Valley K Lily Ranch is yet another. It's so great that we have so many choices! B & D Lilies too. These are places with a true love for their profession. Yes, it will cost more, but in the end I am willing to pay more and buy less bulbs to get this. And heaven sakes they deserve a living wage for their passion of lilies and customer service that I get with it. I know if I ever have a question about anything, I can go to them as they are knowledgeable and whose passion is contagious.
So this year, I will wait a couple extra weeks for my lily bulb smell, but that's okay. I'll make it. At least I think I will.
