Vivian, I have written that down "Chalet" in Wilmet. Thank you! (I do believe I will start a "little black book" of garden destinations in the Midwest.) Everyone, I had the most marvelous morning at Rich's. They had only one other buying couple there, and so I had Susie to myself for a good couple of hours and simply lost track of time...considering all the possibilities, and learning what I like. I have never seen so many beautiful conifer selections in my life...much of the "shopping area" is like being in a park, and they will pretty much dig out anything from the area that you want. Holy Cow, so wonderful. Their hostas looked to be very reasonably priced and if you are anywhere near there, Susie told me that they are having their annual hosta charity event on June 7...Mark Zilis will be there to sign his new book...(and maybe to give a chat, I can't remember if she said that or not.) For the charity event (Heifer Int'l), your hosta purchases are tax deductable. At this moment, only a few hostas were visibly showing pips in the pots. I was so bedazzled by the conifers and beeches, that I really didn't focus on hostas for this particular visit. I came home with this sweetie pie...Pinus Sylvestris Nirbeth's Aurea. (Oh, and it says printed right on the tag that the "Nirbeth's" part is not a legitimate name. Too funny!) Thank you Ken! I felt like a made a friend in Susie and will be going back there year after year....

Good Morning! Well, one lesson I learned and will share with you all here, do not, I repeat, DO NOT take anyone with you unless you discuss the amount of time you will be staying. If in doubt, it would probably be wisest to just travel alone, as there are other iris addicts, experts, lovers there to talk to and learn from. I am clueless just how long we were there, and though the friend I took, enjoyed the place, ordered a couple of irises, and bought a couple of had to have peonies, she pooped out on me, was exhausted, and ready to leave long before I relented and left....sigh The first hour or so I spent browsing the many potted perennials she had for sale. I can't remember if or when I have ever been anywhere that I could find so many things I did not have, wanted, and that were so reasonably priced. I came away with 4 different peonies, 3 I had never heard of before, but there were descriptions on the tags as well as the name 3 different tall garden phlox, 3 reds and an orange Pink Cascade Tamarix, Butterfly bush, Santana Variegated Lily of the Valley, Sedum Black Jack-1 GAL, Sedum Xenox 1 GAL...all for $60! ...so even iris addicts/lovers I think can understand the perennials catching my eye as they did. I just could not even believe the selection of rather uncommon things she had, at such stupendous prices! The irises were stunning, yet in my excitement, and fascination with everything, I never got a chance to break out the camera. I finally walked the many rows of irises, and would estimate about 1/2 - 2/3 were in bloom. There were many early varieties that had finished already, and several that were just budded for bloom. I started an order, and often found what I had chosen was $10 or so on the price list, yet a few steps farther I would pick a beauty and it would be just $2. I was just so confused and so overwhelmed by it all. I finally ended up just ordering 5 or so, who knows, as I did not keep a copy of the order, or write down what I ordered...sigh...hindsight is 20/20. I found I was looking at and ordering just what was in bloom. Since she has TB, MTB, IB, SDB, BB (is that all there is?) I decided I could make better choices when my blood pressure settled, and I was comfy checking them all out via Google. I inquired about what were reliable rebloomers for her and decided to wait, look them up, check the price, and maybe order later. All in all, it was a really great day. Originally I had planned and hoped we would stop at another nursery I like so well on our way home. After the time spent at Winton's, (not enough) I was no longer interested in stopping by the other nursery. I knew I would not find anything any more exciting than what I had just bought.....besides being so exhausted from the excitement of it all. I will be going back, just not sure when, and I will be going alone...lol Winton's would make a lovely day trip, for anyone half way close. The money I spent on gas, was more than made up in the savings on the things purchased...many things I have only seen for sale on line. Sue...off to get busy

That's the greenhouse part of the sales area. Surplus is behind and in back. They also have another sales area with various other types of plants, such as some sedums, shrubs, heuchera etc. It's a very large place. I think they have over 600 varieties of hosta in their catalog this year, and most if not all are also available for purchase at the nursery. They sell over 100 varieties of ferns plus many epimedium. Most of the ferns are also available on site as well. They also have a ton of the newer varieties of hosta in another greenhouse that they'll be adding to their sales area every year. They get the tc from various sources, but Kirk shared with me that it's their policy not to sell them until they reach a certain size. Usually around gallon size or slightly under. He's worried about their reputation and doesn't want baby plants croaking on people, which is understandable. This post was edited by flower-frenzy on Mon, Aug 5, 13 at 1:17

Bk I am so new to this I got some seeds from a nice lady on this site (Joan), ebay and my new H. Frances Williams. I havent planted them all yet. I have viewed the old post from bernd, ken and others in this forum about Hostas and seed planting and I think I am going to be overwhelmed. Luckily I am going to get two t8 grow light fixtures and my cousin has built me a shelf from pallets to put them on. I love doing this. My first set of seeds from ebay didn't do anything so I set them outside. Now I have two grocery store plastic food containers with about 11 seedlings in them. Not nearly enough for what I want in my back yard (and give to my sisters) but they are coming along. This is just so much fun to watch them grow. Cant wait to show pictures of my back yard in the next year or two.