I'm Going to a PLANT SWAP!!!!

[Tulirose]

There is this forum I've been visiting, not posting alot, more lurking, and they are having a plant swap on Long Island. It's not going to be too far from me so I decided to join in and go! Wouldn't it be great if we, the people we've come to know on this forum, could have our own plant swap where we would not only trade plants and stories and advice, but actually meet!! That would be so great!

The website where these people are from, I don't "know" at all. I can't even keep their names straight as far as who posted what and there really are not a whole lot of them either. [BIG SIGH] I guess my heart will always belong at the DIS where my mind stays more focused! Or maybe it's just that you guys are such characters!... I mean, have such distinct personalities. LOL

Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes. It is going to be next Saturday (my birthday BTW ). Hope there will be no psychos in that group! Will be bringing hubby along for protection, just in case! LOL!

 

[Rajah]

Have a happy birthday and fun swap!!

 

[Snowwark]

I've never been to a plant swap Tulirose, it sounds like fun. I look forward to hearing how it goes.

It would be nice to have a plant swap with the buds here, even nicer to meet everyone!

Characters Tulirose, here? Well, I can think of one, I don't want to mention any names, but their initials are AC and they do strange things with lilacs.........


Kim

 

[amid chaos]

Plant swaps are alot of fun...I belong to a group that has them twice a year. It's a great way to meet people and get some new treasures for the garden.

 

[Tulirose]

The plant swap, as far as I'm concerned, was a big success. Only DH and I and one other person showed. It had a 10 a.m. start time and we got there a little late. The other lady was there from about 9:40. We stayed until 10:30, just missing another person who says she arrived shortly after that (but she was bringing food to trade instead of plants!). And the other lady who was definitely suppose to go had an emergency with her dog.

Anyway, I got Sweet Woodruff (YES!) and German Iris and snowbank boltonia. She took my sedum and some hosta (but left the majority of the hosta) and left my pachysandra and left my violets (she told me they were wild violets and a nuisance!) and left my daffodils.

So, the next day I went and brought them all to my mom and planted all but the pachysandra for her (I forgot she had a ton of that stuff). I also gave her the German Iris that I got at the swap. Because of what the swap lady said about the violets, I got embarrassed and left them at home and while at my mom's she pointed out a few that she had saying how she loved them and wished she had more!!!! Dang it! I guess it is true - one person's weed is another person's fav!

I planted the Sweet woodruff and with this light rain we are having, it is doing beautifully already!! I haven't planted the Snowbank bolonia yet. Not sure where to put it but I will put it somewhere!

It was an interesting experience. Turns out we both traveled about 20 miles to another town for this swap and we live in neighboring towns!! She told me of a local nursery where I can find more woodruff and other things not normally carried by others. And hubby and I went there today but I held back on getting anything just yet. It was unbelievable the size of this place and what they had. There was no way I could make up my mind about anything!

Overall, I enjoyed the adventure. It would have been nicer to have more people. I felt a little bad for her going away with not too much but .... oh well!!!

 

[Snowwark]

Only three people showed up for the plant swap? I'm a little surprised by the lack of interest. Was it not advertised well enough? Just curious.

I've got some Sweet Woodruff Tulirose and it's growing like crazy! Where are you planning on planting it? It can be very vigorous, you'll want to keep an eye on it.

How sweet that your Mom wanted the violets that you were embarrassed about!


Kim

 

[Tulirose]

Originally there seemed to be a big interest of people attending when it was going to be at the parking lot of a state park. But then the lady who started it, didn't like the idea of spending 7 dollars for parking for an hour or so and would rather use that money to buy a good plant. Then, the place where it was decided to be held was not well known by others and it seems Long Islanders have the north shore versus the south shore snobbery thing going on and at least one person dropped out because she didn't want to travel "in that neighborhood" which, I have to say was a gorgeous, exclusive neighborhood! Then someone else had mentioned having it in her backyard way out on the island and said people could email her if they want to go to that and I wonder if people did.

I planted the Sweet Woodruff under the andrometer bushes in the front. I need something green under there. I have spots of that sedum but I don't like the look. I didn't want plain old pachysandra like I have under the rhododendrums on the other side of the steps. I thought Woodruff might be a nice look and I think I may be right and it can take over all it wants!

And my mom didn't realize that I had violets I was going to bring. She just pointed out some in her yard and she told me that's all that's left and talked about how she went into the woods prior to the nearby housing development in the early 60's to get them because she liked them so much. I think I will surprise her on my next visit and bring some to her.