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I'm running about 50/50 on the Costco bulbs. I've had good tulips, peonies, and some varieties of lilies.
But my "stargazers" from 2 years ago are not stargazers and only 3 out of 10 sprouted. This year, I bought some day lilies. 4 bulbs for $12.95, so a bit spendy. I just planted them and there are only 3 rather small bulbs in the package. I sure hope they are at least the variety they are labeled as.
I am saying "no more". I just hope I remember that next year when the pretty packages hit the shelf.
(Bare root fruit trees from there have been excellent, and a very good price)
I'm a big fan of Costco for many things, but not for their plants or bulbs. I used to but things like azaleas or hostas there and they routinely died. Also tried their daffodil bulbs once and none came up. Warehouses just aren't a good place for plants, I guess.
I'm a big fan of Costco for many things, but not for their plants or bulbs. I used to but things like azaleas or hostas there and they routinely died. Also tried their daffodil bulbs once and none came up. Warehouses just aren't a good place for plants, I guess.
Very true, one they get bargain plants from the wholesalers, two they don't have anyone who knows anything about nursery plants. Many are stressed out from not watering properly.
For the first time this year, I've seen BOXED living plants at Walmart and Big Lots.
I mean outdoor perennials.
They seemed so dry. They're obviously not getting any light.
I just can't imagine they'd be in the best condition. I'm thinking why start out with a plant I know is stressed.
I'm anxious -- and just looking a pictures is a reminder of how close we are to really getting going -- but I'll just hold off until my favorites nurseries are stocked.
Plus I really want to support family businesses and places where people can answer my questions.
Update. The 3 bulbs are growing. I won't know what the flowers are for awhile, but I decided to see if I could buy some of that variety on-line, because they are extra pretty and cheap for day lilies. Gorgeous day lilies are very expensive and these are gorgeous.
Well what do you know. The picture on the package is not of the variety that the label says in in there. The package says the bulbs are Crystal Pinot and shows a large lily with a large and not distinct wine colored eye. The photo shows a heavily ruffled petal edge with a colored stripe around the edge. It is more like a wine colored petal with a large cream colored patch on the outer third.
On-line, all the nurseries selling the bulb, and Garden Watchdog show Crystal Pinot as a cream colored flower with a smallish and very distinct wine colored eye, very minimal to non-existent ruffling, and no colored strip on the edge of the petal.
Pretty, but not even approaching the same class as the flower shown on the package.
I'm not a big fan of day lilies but when I want something special and out of the ordinary I make a point of going to a local garden center. It will cost more but they have people who actually know about gardening and they can make sure you get what you are looking for.
If I'm just getting marigolds, petunias or vinca vine, something ordinary, I'll go to Walmart or Home Depot--big box stores where no one knows one plant from another and they don't know how to take care of them--but for easy, ordinary things, you can get them cheap, take them home and bring them back to life.
I've had stargazers that came back year after year but I paid extra to get them at a local place.
It will be interesting to see what flowers yours will turn out to be.
Every once in a while a bargain is really a bargain and you can get some great bulbs, but I've heard so many complaints and have had a few bombs myself that it doesn't take much for me to ignore the alluring displays. I think all too often those bags of "special" bulbs are left overs from the sorting rooms and no one gives a hoot if they miss the right bag or if they are the proper size for resale. You get pink instead of red, tall instead of short, or just plain poor quality.
I'd rather by fewer but better quality. Sometimes you are lucky and live near a large nusery or grower and can find their bargain days, but for most of us we have to rely in local nurseries or mail order.
For when you need mail order, Dave's Garden is one of the bet places to read up on all the sellers of every kind of plant, including bulbs. They go by reviews of real every day gardeners not specialists or magazines with advertising. You can see comments for each company or check the "Top 5" in each category for those companies that have the best reputation. People comment on everything from speed of service to the quality of the plants/bulbs. Here's the summary of the most recent compilation of the "best" companies: Announcing the Garden Watchdog Top 5 Awards!
If you have a particular plant like the Stargazer mentioned by oregonwoodsmoke in the OP you can also look up individual plants and find the vendors that sell it an see reviews on them plus get a link directly to the vendor website to order the plant (lily in this case). Here's the page: PlantFiles: Detailed information on Oriental Lily Lilium 'Star Gazer'
Speaking of bulbs....how much do the better nurseries in your area charge for amaryllis bulbs? (I know there are LOTS of varieties) They had several varieties in several colors (including an absolutely gorgeous deep burgundy black/red.)
One of my favorites better nurseries charged (and, yes, I paid) 12.00- 15.00 PER BULB for some amaryllis varietals. I declare some were 8 inches around.
However, your basic red was on sale for 3.00 per bulb. I bought some of those, too)
The only time I purchase live plants fromt the big box stores is at the end of the season when they are a true bargain, so if they don't grow well I am not out that much. Occasionally I am surprized and the plant does well. When I get daylilies I go to a specialist in my area - about 20 miles from me - that has several acres of them and she will dig up the ones I pick out and I plant them at home in a matter of days. This has the advantage of seeing them in bloom as well before I buy them.
I'm running about 50/50 on the Costco bulbs. I've had good tulips, peonies, and some varieties of lilies.
But my "stargazers" from 2 years ago are not stargazers and only 3 out of 10 sprouted. This year, I bought some day lilies. 4 bulbs for $12.95, so a bit spendy. I just planted them and there are only 3 rather small bulbs in the package. I sure hope they are at least the variety they are labeled as.
I am saying "no more". I just hope I remember that next year when the pretty packages hit the shelf.
(Bare root fruit trees from there have been excellent, and a very good price)
Morning Oregonwoodsmoke: I too purchase bulbs at a discount store "Ocean State Job Lot". I feel sorry for the way they take care of their plants and bulbs so I "rescue" them from the store. Right now, I have 100 daffodils popping their heads up (as soon as snow stops they just might make it) and have a Lilac bush that is growing really big finally. I have also Iris', Gladiolas, and most recently purchased two sad looking butterfly bushes to plant. I have the Butterfly bushes in the house right now staying warm. I love the butterfly bushes as the butterflies do come visit all over the yard, not just on the bushes. We plan to expand our planting of the daffodils. Our city has a huge daffodil festival every year and we live very close to the park where they have over 600,000 daffodils planted. You can go online and look up the "Meriden, Ct. Daffodil Festival" and get a sneak preview of the gorgeous daffies. Good luck with your plants!
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