Spring mail-order seed and plant catalogs have been flooding our mailboxes for several weeks. In fact, the first arrived well before the Christmas bills. Most gardeners find themselves flipping through these catalogs not once or twice but several times, if only to daydream before actually placing an order.
When something on a page catches our eye, we tend to attach a sticky note or bend its corner. Typically, gardeners mark many more plants than they have room for or can afford. Sadly, we must pare our selection.
Technically, its still winter. But pages like this in catalogs let gardeners dream of the sunshine and blooms that lie ahead.
The best way to whittle the tempting catalog wish list and make wise choices is to consider a plant's characteristics and conditions needed for survival, as well as the gardener's available time, energy and experience.
Just the facts
First the plant. Most catalogs provide valuable information about each plant, including botanical and common names, zone hardiness, and preferred growing conditions such as light, soil and moisture requirements.
Would-be catalog customers should consider the information carefully and determine whether their garden has those elements. If it does not, scratch the plant off the list.
Next, shoppers should check the plant's growth habit, noting its height, spread, color and bloom time. Find out whether the plant is an annual or perennial. Look for suggested planting ideas, too.
For example, is the plant recommended for growing in containers, along borders or trained on a trellis? Is it best grown alone as a specimen plant or en masse for full effect? Again, decide whether your garden can accommodate the plant and show off its finest features. If it can, consider ordering it. If not, remove the sticky note from the page.
Now think about you, the gardener. Even the most maintenance-free garden demands at least a scant bit of knowledge and a minimal time and energy commitment. If you are a novice gardener, select plants that are identified as "easy to grow" or "low-maintenance."
Consider, too, the cost. Remember that shipping, handling and tax are extra. Some plants, especially new introductions or rare varieties, can be quite expensive. The old, reliable plants tend to be more reasonably priced.
Spring seed and plant catalogs are filled with bright colors and big blooms to entice cooped-up gardeners. Images from this year's catalogs include a dahlia, above.
Gardeners also need to bear in mind the number of plants needed. Buying a plant for $14.99 is one thing. Having to buy 10 of those plants is something else.
Before placing an order, verify whether the company will substitute another plant if supplies run short. Often there is a place to indicate whether you will accept a substitution.
Catalogs typically offer a variety of order methods from mail, phone and fax to online. Finally, check to see if there is a guarantee. Most reputable companies offer one.
Pretty as a picture
The displays pictured in most catalogs offer an easy way to learn about flower combinations what plants go well together and what color combinations and plant heights work. Plus, many catalogs sketch out garden plans for all sorts of areas sunny gardens, shady spots and entryways. Often the garden dimensions are identified with the number of plants needed.
But don't be fooled by the pictures. Most often, mature specimens are photographed. Therefore, the tree you receive will be a far cry from the 100-foot red maple in blazing fall color shown in the catalog.
A grouping of lillies. Another image from one of this years catalogs.
Beware, too, of pictures with close-up views of tiny flowers or those showing plants of differing bloom times grouped together all in full bloom. Unsuspecting gardeners may think that their gardens will look "like the picture." Remember that daffodils and daylilies bloom at different times of the year and a half-inch flower bloom is pretty small when seen from a standing position.
To be sure, all gardeners want as advertised in mail-order catalogs the dependable, low-maintenance, carefree, easy-to-grow, fast-growing, disease-resistant, drought-tolerant, multibranched, heavy-blooming and ever-blooming flower.
We want flowers that sparkle in the sun, shimmer in the shade, thrive in afternoon heat and are perfect for problem areas. We want the plants that are butterfly magnets and those with unforgettable fragrance.
Yes, we want it all. And by making thoughtful decisions about mail-order selections, we come close to getting just that.
Carol Boncella is education coordinator at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and garden writer for the Journal-World.
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