This time of year makes me a little dizzy with choices.  I walk around the store, taking in the explosion of color, texture  and fragrance, and I get Plant Lust.  I would love to take home many of these plants, but of course there are space limitations.  After that dizziness though, I just feel gratitude for the mild climate we are blessed with, enabling us to grow such a diverse assortment of plant material.  We are so lucky.    Sometimes pondering about gardening tends me toward the philosophical - what a wonderful and mystical partnership with Mother Nature, trying to live lightly and in harmony.  It is a goal never fully achieved, but one we strive toward.

My morning stroll around the store this morning was invigorating and inspiring; we are still stocked with an excellent vegetable selection, with more arriving almost daily.  We have colorful hanging baskets, both for sun and shade, as well as familiar and new basket stuffers for those interested in creating their own.  A new shipment of perky gerbera daisies arrived just this morning,  and there are bright Amstel begonias that are spectacular.  And speaking of begonias – did you know there is a begonia that thrives in full sun?  Begonia Bonfire is here in hanging baskets, and are a brilliant red-orange.  It looks like all of the summer blooming perennials are in as well.  In the shade house, too many choices:  hardy fuchsias, heuchera, hydrangea, hosta ferns and much more.   The roses are fully leafed out and setting buds, and the dogwoods are still blooming their little hearts out.   The Japanese maples are fully leafed out now too, so it is a great time to see their colors and textures.   And finally, there is still a great assortment of fruit trees and berries and grapes. 

Isn’t this a great time of year?!