Confessions of a Plantaholic

This story originally appeared in our Nov/Dec 2016 digital edition.

By Tovah Martin

Admittedly, I love to shop. Although you will rarely find me in a fitting room and I can’t recall the last time I walked through the door of a shore store, I have a voracious appetite when it comes to plants. It doesn’t matter that my garden has standing room only; who cares that I exceeded my plant budget months ago – my version of hell is a place with no nurseries. Sound familiar?

Perhaps due to the fact that my car is always overflowing with plants being hauled home after hitting some nursery or other (it’s a dead giveaway), people often ask where I shop.

Granted, I have returned from distant points with so much greenery that the toll booth attendant accused me of relocating a jungle. But the truth is that we have fantastic resources available right here in Connecticut. Without crossing the border, you can find all the connoisseur plants that you can possibly wedge into your property. Plus, the beauty of buying from local vendors is that you can trust their selections to be zone-appropriate.

People with similar issues tend to stick together, and that’s definitely the case here. I find myself drawn to fellow plant geeks and like to support their establishments. All a vendor need do is express a heartfelt affection for a plant and whammo! – I’m plunking down my hard-earned cash to give it a whirl. Yes, I have hoarding issues. Absolutely, I should stop purchasing viburnums and spend money on household repairs instead – but that’s no fun. Tell me that you feel likewise, and we’ll be friends for life.

So, since we’re buddies now, I’m willing to share some of my favorite haunts. Needless to say, this list is only the tip of the iceberg. If you have a favorite haunt that I’ve neglected to mention, my apologies. Better still, get on my Facebook page (Plantswise-by-Tovah-Martin) and whisper it in my ear. I’ll race you to it.

Trees & Shrubs
The fact that Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden is in our neighborhood is truly dangerous. Basically, it’s virtually impossible to visit Broken Arrow and roll out of their parking lot without scoring some phenomenal trees and shrubs.

Over the years I’ve learned to ask if they have any tree or shrub that has tempted me in a mail-order catalog, chances are good that they’ve got the plant in question without paying the freight. If not, then there’s often a good reason why not – and you need to know about that issue.

They carry woody plants in all sizes – and one of Broken Arrow’s most endearing qualities is that they carry shrubs in 2 gallon sizes that don’t require digging huge holes.

My favorite Broken Arrow purchases? Their viburnum collection is outstanding. Crazy about the Hypericum x ‘Blue Velvet’ that forms a tidy mound on the street and thumbs its nose at road salt. Ditto for the Lespedeza bicolor ‘Yakushima.’ And my Ilex crenata ‘Dwarf Pagoda’ has slowly evolved into the sort of quirky plant that always sparks compliments and inquiries.

Peonies (Paeonia)
It’s easy to go overboard with peonies. Just when you think that your garden can’t juggle another peony, you discover a wonderful peach-tinted cultivar that you can’t live without. Somehow you find space.

Personally, I prefer single-flowering varieties because they don’t require staking (although Bob Keating’s peony rings are beautiful, inexpensive solutions).

To get peony overload, go to Cricket Hill Garden in Thomaston. My favorite new peony purchases? ‘Claudia’ is a coral single herbaceous peony that looks like orange sherbet. In the tree peony department, my heart will always belong to ‘Leda.’

Natives
You can’t beat Earth Tones in Woodbury for natives, their selection competes favorably with the inventory at the New England Wildflower Society near Boston.

Their stock is organized at the nursery by habitat rather than strictly alphabetical, so you can focus on the conditions on your property and choose accordingly. Plus they have natives planted all over the nursery, allowing a glimpse at the plant in action.

My favorite acquisition from Earth Tones is Rhus copallina the mountain sumac with shiny, tidy leaves crowned by frilly flower umbels that attract pollinators like a magnet. When mountain sumac is in blossom, you can hear the buzz from across the yard.

Perennials
No matter how full your garden might be, you always need a perennial or two to tuck in.

My favorite haunt when I need something that will fill a hole and look good immediately is The Garden in Woodbury. From new introductions to tried-and-true perennials, they have a full selection. Can’t find something on your list? They are willing to search it out for you. With knowledgeable staff and price breaks for buying in quantity, they understand the needs of gardeners (especially addicted gardeners).

Plus (and this is really important), they treat their stock well and water religiously. So your plant hasn’t gone through a torture cycle before you purchase it. Think about that before buying from a big box store. Thanks to The Garden, I have more columbines than I care to admit in my garden, especially the dark double Aquilegia ‘Black Barlow’ and I went crazy with sweet Williams this year – the new varieties remain in blossom for months.

Who can squeak by with just one source for perennials? Certainly not this plantaholic. Anyone seriously on the prowl needs to cast a broad net.

For great specimen plants to fill a container or a hole that needs something jazzy pronto, head to Shakespeare’s Garden in Brookfield. They constantly update their inventory and have great-looking, lovingly tended perennials including primroses, columbines, agastaches, etc.

Plus, in the annual department, nobody can equal their selection of tuberous begonias as well as finished hanging baskets that are instantly wow-worthy. Every year, I make several autumn trips to Shakespeare’s Garden and fill my car with their zany flowering kale and cabbage plants. Bet you can’t limit yourself to half a dozen.

An equally good resource for sizable, finished perennials is Cortina’s in New Milford. In addition to their voluptuous perennials, I make a point of stopping in spring when they get their annual heliotropes in stock.

Where would the porch window boxes be without those ultra-aromatic bloomers (Cortina’s has both white and blue varieties) sending their vanilla/ baby powder/apple scent wafting into the office window and distracting concentration? Cortina’s also has a great selection of herbs.

Annuals
Although my garden isn’t heavy on annuals, there’s always that stray space in midsummer that needs to be filled by something that looks great now.

For an excellent selection and truly neighborhood-friendly prices, try swinging into Maple Bank Farm in Roxbury. They have everything from sweet peas to nicotiana with an impressive roster of oddities as well.

Plus, definitely check out their vegetables while visiting. They focus on heirlooms, but also carry newbies. And they offer sizes beyond six-packs especially in tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and later veggies. Need leeks? They’re your source. Plus, they carry my favorite potting soil – McEnroe’s.

Container Plants
When you need to fill a container with something lovely and unique, target Greystone Greenhouses in Sharon for possibilities beyond your wildest dreams. From rare angel wing begonias through nifty cupheas, thanks to their expanded inventory, you can achieve the color combinations you crave.

In spring, their greenhouses are so filled to brimming that retinal overload is imminent. But don’t dawdle with your selections. Greystone tends to sell out rapidly – especially in our climate of astute plant hunters. Rather than being left begonia-less, shop early.

Fruit Trees
From blueberries to Asian Pears, Litchfield Hills Nursery in Litchfield is a reliable source for all your berry patch/ orchard needs. They might not have very obscure fruit, but they offer a great smorgasbord of thoughtfully selected varieties with a focus on our climate requirements. And the plants are large and healthy.

I swing by to fetch new varieties to flush out my blueberry timetable and ensure that early, mid-season, and late varieties are represented. They also have the very best selection of tools around. If they don’t carry the tool you need, there must be a good reason – ask them about it. And they also carry McEnroe’s potting soil.

Alpines & Trough Plants
You could pick up an alpine here and there, or you could go to “alpine central.” We are so fortunate to have Oliver Nurseries in Fairfield just minutes away.

If you planned to fill just one trough, forget it. Limiting yourself to half a dozen alpines is virtually impossible. You’ll be hauling home enough plants for several mini-gardens. But the good news is that they also conveniently carry troughs in all shapes and sizes.

My favorite alpine acquisitions? How about Dianthus simulans with foliage that forms the densest mat imaginable – like a little tuffet. And Thalictrum kiusianum is a meadow rue no taller than an inch forming frothy lavender flowers in late spring.

Houseplants
I’m a well-documented houseplant addict and no single source could possibly fuel my engines in that department, but a close contender for first place would be Ballek’s Garden Center in East Haddam.

Literally, they have at least one of any plant you’ve got on your wish list. From aglaonemas to zz plants, they’ve got a full array of old favorites. But they also hunt up new introductions on the market.

They’ve got a tantalizing selection of terrarium plants, ferns, succulents, begonias, peperomias, ivies, citrus, scented-leaf geraniums, herbs – the works.

If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for, talk to a staff member. Chances are good that they’ve got the plant stashed in a back greenhouse. Plus, they share my affinity for enlisting plants that aren’t normally classified as houseplants into windowsill service.

Their prices are wonderfully reasonable and the plants come in sizes ranging from tiny pots to specimens. Plus, their staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. Don’t ask me to pick a favorite plant obtained from Ballek’s because I can rattle off a dozen. OK, maybe it’s the mistletoe fig, Ficus deltoidea that has become a gnarly, twisted indoor sculpture.

When the thirst for further houseplants strikes, I set out in all directions. When I need something huge, like a large philodendron to give my house the jungle effect, I hit The Green Spot in New Milford – they also have an arsenal of funky containers.

To delve into houseplants from the past, I target Colonial Gardens in Fairfield – right across the street from Oliver Nurseries (double trouble).

And the horticultural therapy program at Southbury Training School produces incredible plants for amazingly low prices – plus they are so grateful for your patronage – it’s a feel good sort of place.

Bulbs
We have a glut of nationally acclaimed bulb purveyors based in Connecticut. That said, I usually order from them via mail order.

What I never do is pick up spring bulbs from the displays at nurseries for fear that they’ve seen too much fluctuation in temperatures. Instead, I send my order in and receive the bulbs directly from the refrigerators of specialty purveyors.

As soon as the box arrives, the bulbs are whisked into my refrigerator and planted when the weather is ripe.

For alliums, hyacinths, and rare bulbs, I go with John Scheepers and Van Engelen based in Bantam. They have varieties far beyond the norm.

My favorite hyacinth? ‘Festival’ – they are available in blue, pink, and white, and display the loose, lax stance of wildlings rather than the tight, foxtail plumes of the new hybrids.

I can’t resist tulips, the promise of their spring performance gets me through winter. Mud season is even endurable when you’ve got tulips at the end of the dullness.

Rather than planting a hundred of one variety, I love the intrigue of combinations, which is why I order from Colorblends based in Bridgeport.

Every year I try a couple of new combos and they’ve never disappointed but from now on, I don’t think I can live without Colorblends’ Parrot Blend. That tulip combo has a long wind-up as the buds slowly mature, but that’s part of the seduction. And the colors are outrageous.

I also order daffodils from them and, again, they are a delight. My favorite is Evan Scent – their jonquil blend with an aroma that was heady verging on intoxicating. Loved it!

One-Stop Shopping
If you are truly the ultimate shopaholic, then you need to sign up for Early Buyers at Trade Secrets in Sharon because that show is where all the vendors from points near and far convene and strut their finest stuff.

Honestly, many growers save their prime “finds” for that show, keeping them stashed in secret vaults until early May when they proudly present them to the public.

You don’t want to miss the opportunity to save on petroleum, reduce your carbon footprint, and commune with other gardening fanatics. If the fight for the last Paeonia obovata gets nasty, then let the fastest shopping cart win.

Tovah Martin is a freelance writer and author of more than a dozen books on gardening. She earned accreditation in Organic Land Care from NOFA and gardens fanatically indoors and out. Her lectures and workshops are scheduled throughout the state and country. For more information, check out tovahmartin.com