Oliver's sale and mid-season 'Get-together'

17 years ago

It will be held on a last weekend of June, 6/24-25, as usual.

20-25% discount will be offered across the board on all inventory, up to 50% on certain perennials and all annuals (mind you, original prices are not cheap, but selection is fantastic).

Also, as usual, special area will be devoted for shrubs/trees marked at 50-60-70% off and will be replenished/fullfilled constantly with odds, ends and regular merchandise during the day. Bargain hunters paradise!

I will be glad to host a CT (all other states are welcome as well) mid-season Get-together party on Sunday, June 25 on one condition, someone has to take care of the grill and all associated activities. Any volunteers?

Pool will be open and you can also demonstrate your new bathing suites between the plants talks.

If you'd like to participate, raise your hands,

George.

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Comments (39)

Sue W (CT zone 6a)
17 years ago
Count me in, George. I don't know how to use a grill but if I can convince Tom to come again he can help with that. Grilling is right up there with toasting and cereal pouring on his list of cooking skills.

What looks new and exctiting at Oliver's this year? The Heptacodium I scored last year is filling out nicely. I keep saying I'm out of room but...

Sue
cloud_9
17 years ago
Hi George! I would love to come - maybe I will even make it to Oliver's this time! I may bring some extra plants of my own to distribute that weren't ready by the swap, if that is alright with you. I will bring some more deviled eggs, since they seemed to be popular last time. Looking forward to it!
Deb
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Occassional visitor to this forum, jumping in. I work 2 days a week at a small local nursery. We NEVER have sales, except for once, the owner brought in a truck load of plants to sell at bargain prices--aprox $2-4/ gal for plain hostas, a few dwarf burford hollies, Carolina jessamine, etc. If it's slow, like it's been lately, we just sigh. I doubt we'll ever sell the begonias and geraniums and impatiens still left over from spring, still occassionally trimmed and deadheaded by us (we do so religiously during spring, get lots of compliments about how nice our plants look compared to other places..), and so, come sometime in fall, out those poor unwanted plants will go--to the trssh. This week, I started moving up/dividing the 4 inch perennials into gallons. More plants for next year. I have visited a nursery that sold a few half dead gallon perennials for half price, but I just happened to be there, can't remember if they advertised that sale or not. The other day at work I was glancing through a fairly recent copy of a freebie industry mag, maybe Nursery Managment? The one w/ the lady who owns a HUGE independent nursery in CA, Alden something? on the cover. In that mag, there was an article about how to have a sale every week kind of thing. The author suggested highlighting ONE plant each week, like Nandina suggested, several posts above. That plant display was to be 1/3 back from the main entrance, w/ big signs, good labeling, and LOTS of the plants. Customers would see it immediately as they entered the store, but it wouldn't block their passage to other parts of the nursery. The author had several other neat suggestions, but I think a customer came in and I couldn't finish the article. Perhaps that technique would work in your situation. I wish the big plant vendors would back off their hurry-up quick marketing campaigns, some, and realize that not EVERY person in America NEEDS mums by mid August or Impatiens in early Feb. Southern growing seasons are SO long, that begonias are at their best WAY into late October here, and we can't even THINK about bringing in pansies til mid-October, at the earliest. To let poor begonias, impatiens, caladiums, geraniums suffer in their little pots because it isn't the "season" for them, because some idiot thinks mums in 100 degree August are OKAY, and pansies soon after, is SUCH a shame! Alas, 'tis the way of the world, which is why we get summer clothes in stores in winter and heavy coats in summer. SusiQ in NE TX
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tuscanlover - Thanks for the kind words. I wish your daughter the best with her 6 year old. They are learning so much today about Autism and how to work with it in the schools. It is so much better now then it was when my son was a student and they didn't know what the heck was wrong with him. And the general public is more aware and less likely to stare or make rude comments like they use to (though some people will never learn). I am sorry to hear about your move and the loss of your and DH's job, house and all. That is really tough to face at 55. My dad went through a similar thing when he was in his late 40's. In 1961 he was transferred by his company from Mass. to Illinois. He moved the whole family, bought a new house and less then a year later they closed that division. It was a very tough time for everyone. My mom missed her family terribly and we almost moved back to Mass. But then my dad changed careers completely and became a stock broker and made more money then he ever would have at his old job. He left my mother very well off when he died in 1987. And she still is very well taken care of by what he left behind. So when I see the grey clouds, I try to find the silver lining. As to whether I am still sane or not, my DH might debate you on that fact. ;>) Clare
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ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
Sue, I'm not that good at perennials to know all those zillion plants they have, but could say that their current collection of clematises is very impressive, from rarely seen in commerce unique 'Alba Luxurians' (and many more other viticellas) to seldomly grown around here different cultivars of cl.texensis (Princess Diana, D of Albany and something else I forgot the name)
If you are in a 'hydrangea mood', you could treat yourself with just recently become available (thanks to Dan Hinkley, again) japanese serratas which doesn't look like any other hydrangeas you had grown before (Miyama-yae-Murazaki, Midoriboshi-Temari, Shijo (sp?) etc.
In azalea/rhododendron department you'll find many new introductions as well as the old good stuff...and I didn't even look into jap.maples department.

' I keep saying I'm out of room but... '
I recently told to my wife that I'll still buy plants untill one of the two happens, either I'll run out of money or out of room...
...and somehow I always still manage to find the room. LOL.
diggerdee zone 6 CT
17 years ago
Thanks for the invite, George! I'd love to come and I'll check my work schedule. If I can make it, maybe Russ would like to come again and take on grill duty. I can't imagine the fun in standing in front of a hot grill on a day like last year's get-together, but he had a great time. I guess he can't figure out why I go out to dig holes and lug bags of soil and compost in that weather, so we're even!

:)
Dee
the_shady_lady
17 years ago
George, you crack me up. Yes I'll be there. I could try to run the grill but I probably won't bring a bathing suit!!

I stopped in at Oliver's today but used a lot of restraint.

I wonder if they would hire me next year part-time...

Virginia
ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
'I wonder if they would hire me next year part-time...'

Some customers think I'm a full time employee...sigh.
barefootinct
17 years ago
Demonstrate our bathing suites, eh? Well, I guess mine might be considered big enough to be called a suite. LOL

Um, where is Olivers? (I'll be in Maine that weekend, but I'm curious where all the really cool people in CT will be then.)

Patty
Sue W (CT zone 6a)
17 years ago
Patty, Oliver's is in Fairfield-fairly high end joint as you might imagine. They have a sale every year at the end of June. Last year a bunch of us met for the sale then went over to George's house for a cookout. I don't know how cool we are but we usually have alot of fun.

Sue
martieinct
17 years ago
Count me/us as a definite maybe. A lot of unknowns re: timing in life right now but it's on the calendar. If we do come it'll be a brief visit then back up north. IMHO: If you can't afford Olivers even at sale prices, it's worth it to poke around and see plants in person that you won't see most other places. Word is that George is right on the mark about the Clematis selection ...

Martie
casey1gw
17 years ago
I'll be there for the sale in the AM but I doubt I'll be able to come for the cookout. Brian decided to host a family barbecue that day and didn't tell me the date.

Hedy
arbo_retum
17 years ago
george, somehow i missed this original post and sue was kind enough to send link to me. we would love to join you, even if it would be the 2nd wkend in a row for us in your garden-wonder-filled state. i will let you know later for sure but i think i could bring some great food (i AM a caterer, after all!)best-mindy

i guess the dilemna for me, as with all sales, is that if i truly just HAD TO HAVE something at oliver's (that i saw the wkend of 6/17, when we're down for our packed-van-full b'day present at broken arrow)it would not be likely that i could bear the suspense of waiting til the following wkend to see if it was still available. oh my, plant passion can be quite the challenge!!
ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
Mindy, I'm not sure, but I believe that for out of state visitor Oliver could make an exception and offer slae prices one week in advance. Give them a call and talk to Scott or Jed.
At least I could offer you my 'frequent shopper' 15% discount all year around.
ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
Ok, just bumping it up.
I think we could do the same thing as we did last year, spend time in Olivers at your own leasure and then meet each other at noon by the entrance. Then proceed to me.
I will try to arrange 'private showing' of one of the my neighbor's garden. She is a professional floral art decorator and her garden based on a classic principal of repetition is something special, trust me.
It's not set in a stone yet, but I already talk to her and closer to the date she'll see if she could have us for at least 25-30 minutes.
siennact
17 years ago
I am so depressed that I am going to miss it again! Unfortunately I am recovering from a nasty bout of pneumonia and apparently I will be spending most of my summer in bed. My poor gardens. Thanks anyway for the invite George, I'm sure it will be a blast! Everyone should buy something at Oliver's and post about it so I can live vicariously through you!

tina
cloud_9
17 years ago
Gosh Tina, you must really be laid low to be missing most of the summer in bed! I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope you will be back in fine form soon and that we will see you in the fall. Take Care!
Deb
Sue W (CT zone 6a)
17 years ago
Take care, Tina, pneumonia is nothing to fool with as you no doubt know. Summer in bed though...man, that just stinks.

Sue
ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
Tiiina, again?
We'll miss you a 'Naked Ladies' Queen. :-)

George
anniebannanny
17 years ago
Well, the invitation to Olivers and the possibility of meeting fellow gardeners has brought me to this -- my very first post! I live only a mile as the crow flies from that wonderful spot and would love to join the fun. Can you tell me more about time and location of festivities?
ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
Annie (I guess it is your real name), we'll meet at noon at Oliver's parking lot and from there go to my place in Westport, which is within 5 min of drive from Olivers.
Most of us will be there before that time to take an advantage of Oliver's sale, especially of 'special price' area.
Since you probably will be unable to recognize us in a crowd, send me e-mail and I'll give you some hints of how to identify me and my ph#/address just in case.

Ladies, both of my new (last year planting) japanese serratas Miyama-yae-Murazaki and Midoriboshi-Temari blooming right now, so don't miss a chance to see those beauties alive. Seldomly grown hydrangea Kaleidoscope may opens any minute and I'm anxious to show it to you.
Stewartia is in full bloom, too, so there will be something to see.
I promise.
ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
Weather forecast for Sunday,

Sunday
Mostly cloudy in the morning...then becoming partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Sounds like it will be much more comfortable than 92F with 100% humidity as it was last year.
Sue W (CT zone 6a)
17 years ago
George, what time does Oliver's open on Sunday?

Sue
ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
I'll check on them tomorrow, normally at 9:00, guessing 8:30 on a sale day.
Just in case, Oliver's ph # 203-259-5609.
Sue, if you need anything in particular, let me know, by Sunday certain things might be gone.
I'm planning to be there on Saturday for some non-common rhodies/azaleas they usually have in one-twos and possibly for new japanese serratas that I'm crazy about this year, so I could pick up something for you as well.
BTW, for how much B-M Crawford sells in your neck of the woods? Here only Oliver and Young have them and both charging around $25 for 2G which I think is not a fair price for a plant that have been on a market for 5-6+ (?) years.
martieinct
17 years ago
Not this year, gang.... Was hoping our schedules would allow a brief visit, but really need a day to stay put and regroup garden, house, etc. Busy is good until it's not :-)

Martie
Sue W (CT zone 6a)
17 years ago
George, the nurseries around me generally don't sell many perennials in 2 gallon containers. If I'm out and about before Sunday I'll take a look but I'm guessing you would pay about $10-12 for a gallon size and that would be the going price for just about any gallon size perennial.

At this point I don't have anything particular in mind that I need except maybe a Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata'. Most of the space I have left is shade to part shade.

Sue
ctlady_gw
17 years ago
We're heading down to Virginia for a 90th birthday bash -- NOT one of us, just feels that way sometimes ;) -- next week and there's just too much piling up that has to get done before we take off, so we're going to have to pass this year, though it sounds like fun and I've never been to Oliver's, so I'll have to check it out next time I'm down that way. Maybe next year. Meanwhile, we're looking forward to the fall Woodbury swap...

/ Marty
the_shady_lady
17 years ago
I'm planning on attending. Trying to get a rough head count so I know how much food to bring...

George, have you asked Jed if he has anything in particular he's trying to unload? Would you want to stop by my house here and help me decide what I might need? I had Kim Proctor over a few weeks ago and she suggested I get shade/native stuff at the sale.

Let me know. Do you have my phone number?

Virginia
ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
Virginia, I had your ph#, but now can't find it.
Call me or e-mail and I'll be glad to visit you.
How about Friday afternoon?

I spoke with Jed, their shrubs/trees inventory pretty much clean and not much has to be 'cleared'. They simply bringing more fresh goods for event and will just work on a lower profit margins across the board.
Contrary, in perennial dept, especially in a 'shady section' you could find some 'too many' and I'm sure Marlese will be more than glad to unload them.
Surprisingly, huge inventory of clematises they had just a few weeks ago depleted to only 30-40 pots as of this Tuesday. Still a good selection there.
Sue W (CT zone 6a)
17 years ago
Virginia, I'll be at George's for a little while but I have another party to go to back up in my area that starts at 3. As far as food goes, what is needed at this point?

Sue
diggerdee zone 6 CT
17 years ago
Still trying to figure out if we can make it this weekend. We're piling in the car on Monday for a trip to Boston, so I keep going back and forth as to whether I can pack all on Sunday evening. Funny, I never have weekend plans, (or go on vacation, for that matter) and now this get-together and a Saturday evening concert on the green in New Haven are on the same weekend, and all before a trip!

I certainly do not need another plant at this point, lol, but would love to browse and of course see everyone again.

:)
Dee
ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
Ladies, let's not make a big deal out of the food.
I'll provide selection of wines, beers and soft drinks and probably some light snacks.
Whatever you'll bring is fine, but don't go out of your way with that.
Sue W (CT zone 6a)
17 years ago
I'm bringing shrimp cocktail-I hope that works for everyone. George, I hope to be at Oliver's somewhere between 10 and 10:30. Will you be there then?

Sue
Sue W (CT zone 6a)
17 years ago
Jeez, I just looked at the weather for tomorrow and it stinks. George, feel free to pull the plug on the get together if you don't want to entertain in the rain. I know we originally planned this as a pool party...lol. I still plan to go to Oliver's as long as it's not raining heavily.

Sue
diggerdee zone 6 CT
17 years ago
Drat - I won't be able to make it tomorrow after all. Actually, I've been so busy the last two days, our get-together slipped my mind until this evening - still haven't caught up to the date on the calendar yet, lol. I think I'm still back in May somewhere.

I hope the weather clears up for you guys, and hope you have wonderful time.

Regrets
:(
Dee
ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
Yeah, weather is not cooperating.
I'll be at Oliver briefly at opening (have to check something) and then again around 11 am.
If anyone still would like to visit my garden, rain or shine, I'll be at Oliver's parking lot at noon and will gladly lead you to my house.
Sue W (CT zone 6a)
17 years ago
Sorry folks but I'm going to pass. If it wasn't a two hour round trip drive I'd be game but the weather is just too gloomy and I have a few things I can get done around here. Maybe we can schedule something again later in the summer?

Sue
cloud_9
17 years ago
Oh well. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate. Thank you so much George for the offer to host. I hope we can all reschedule too.Good luck at Oliver's.

Deb
ego45
Original Author
17 years ago
Well, not all came as planned, but still some brave souls show up and took a brief stroll along the garden (and many unplanted pots, LOL).
I'm pretty much sure that people at Oliver are very disappointed with their attendance, but for us it was a great opportunity to find some bargains without being overruned by another 'hungry' gardener.
I ended up with hydrangeas 'Nightingale'(Nachtigalle) and 'Preziosa' (another one, how many do I need?), two Rhododendron macronulatum 'Nana', Rh. kiusianum 'Alba' (my 3rd), buddleia 'Honeycomb' and ....(drums, please)...4x4' Acer palmatum 'Hanami Nishiki', one that have probably the tiniest leaves of all dwarf jap maples.
Virginia also bought hydrangea, jap.maple and some dwarf blue conifer (name escapes me).
Hedy become a proud owner of several maples, hydrangeas and weeping styrax plus something else.
Overall, I'd call it a good hunt.
I don't know about rescheduling the party later in a summer since I'll have a lot of long-term stay family visitors this year, but always open for garden tours on individual or small group basis.
the_shady_lady
17 years ago
Yes, it was lovely. I missed our regulars but enjoyed meeting Annie. A good day anyway.

George,

My hubby, Paul was impressed with your garden and ENCOURAGED me to buy larger specimens in the future! I told him I could only handle certain sized stuff myself. He told me to find someone to help me. Wohoo hooray!

Thanks again. We had fun.

Virginia
casey1gw
17 years ago
George thank you for your hospitality. I loved seeing the garden again because it's always changing. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have bought that lovely hydrangea serrata. Thank you too for the english bluebells. That is one of the plants that I loved and had to leave at my last garden when I moved. (I seem to be trying to recreate that garden I had for 25 years.)

Hedy

Oliver's sale and mid-season 'Get-together'

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