Clear Catalogs For The Holidays Alternative

The Holiday Hunt for Rare and Unusual Plants

Five Specialty Nursery Catalogs Make Great Winter Reads

Every gardener needs at least one plant with the wow factor. Sometimes its a common plant, uncommonly well grown, as in, OMGlook at those tomatoes! It could be a perfect tropical showstopper, thriving in your greenhouse. Or a rare and unusual specimen featured center stage in your garden. Most of the really interesting plants are found at mail-order nurseries, either online or within their catalogs pages. Now, in the darkest days of the year, take time to curl up and read about the offerings from a few great specialty nurseries.

Catalog Criteria

I prefer catalogs with lots of text and not many pictures. While I do shop online, I like to hold a catalog in my hands. And because theres no plot, when holiday expectations intrude, you can always put your reading down and later pick up where you left off.

I avoid any catalog that doesnt use botanical Latin. Common names are confusing. The use of Latin means the purveyors hold a higher standard.

Here in Oregon, Im surrounded by some of the best specialty nurseries. They are family-owned and ship all over the U.S. and beyond. (All mail free catalogs, but for Christmas presents, you may need to go online rather than wait for your print versions.)

Five for Fabulous

Forest Farm (www.forestfarm.com) This paperback-book size catalog is a great bedtime read. Encyclopedic inclusion of plant requirements, such as zones, sun/shade and how/where to use it, adds to your gardening education. For my wish list, early-flowering Prunus mume Dawn.

Gossler Farms Nursery (www.gosslerfarms.com) Roger Gossler writes quirky, personal plant descriptions, without plant requirementsso keep an encyclopedia handy. He gives an insiders perspective on rare acquisitions and knowledeably refers to how plants have grown in his own display gardens. My choice, the small scented treeStyrax japonica Fragrant Fountain.

Greer Gardens (www.greergardens.com) Passionate horticultural writing and incredible depth in areas like Japanese maples and rhododendrons make my wish list way too long. I want the new deciduous Azalea Soir de Paris.

Nichols Garden Nursery (www.nicholsgardennursery.com) For herbs, vegetables and flower seeds, along with wonderfully practical how-to tips for growing tomatoes or brewing beer, this is the catalog I turn to when dreaming of summer tables full of my own bounty. I favor the pepper with jalapeo flavor but no heatCapsicum anuum Fooled You.

Territorial Seed Company (www.territorialseedcompany.com) A comprehensive seed catalog (with photos) of veggies, flowers and cover crops, that also includes a selection of live plants, planting tips and an entire section on helpful tools and gadgets for farming your own back yard. Ill take the runner bean with peach-pink flowersPhaseolus coccineus Sunset.

by: Mary Kate Mackey

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