I've had pretty good luck with the few nurseries I've tried. Usually the prices are so much higher, I just go to the end of season sales, but when I can't find a plant I really want, then I go to the nurseries. Perhaps part of the problem is that many people probably like plants, which is why they start a nursery...however, people buy plants and that's how you stay in business. Raising beautiful plants would be only half the challenge...you have to be able to sell them. I'm sure there's a lot of frustration, when people like myself compare their prices to the big box stores...but that's going to happen. Like any business, you have to be able to work with people and explain why these plants are superior, better quality, better choices, whatever...and taking the time to help people with their gardens would be something that might bring them back repeatedly, even if prices are a little higher. There's usually a better selection, too. This year, I've had great luck with Northland Rosarium, very nice customer service and beautiful roses. They even offer classes about roses! Some other nurseries I've tried haven't had such nice customer service, but still adequate. However, another nursery I went to with my mom had beautiful plants (and I bought some) but we would have stayed longer if an employee had not been using the VERY loud leaf blower right by the building. He was out there at least 20 minutes, (we even asked the employees at the register if he would be much longer, but they didn't seem to get a clue) so my mom and I grabbed a few plants and left. There may have been some great plants out there, but we couldn't take the noise. Seems they could do that type of thing BEFORE they open...but that's just me :)

I am friends with a very knowledgeable conifer collector here in town. In fact he is a past president of ACS. His latest take on this cultivar I will post here for all to see. The 'Chief Joseph' at ++++++ Gardens expired about a year or two ago. I have lost two and the word around the conifer world is that is tough to grow well in our climate - heat and humidity. The one we planted in my Portland son's garden is doing very well as are all of them in Oregon. I don't remember the name of the propagator that Larry gets them from. I have been to his place, with Larry, in Sandy OR, and have met him. He had hundreds of Chief Josephs in all sizes - a sea of gold - so his success rate is good but in that climate everything does well. He doesn't have a nursery , he is just a propagator and sells conifers wholesale to the nursery people. I plan to be in Oregon for Christmas and I, very likely, will see Larry and will get his name . As I remember he is a rather "unusual old duck". We felt he was trying to corner the market for Chief Joseph and we had to use some special tactics to get the one for ******.

Well, here's my hope that everything in your yard survives! I missed this post originally, but I like it. I'm still not growing nearly as much as I know could be grown in my climate, but my little plot of hardy arugula makes me happy every time I have a salad, knowing I'm eating more greens because I'm growing it, and consuming less petroleum for the same reason. Healthier for me and the earth. And each time I eat one of my own tomatoes or cucumbers or beans, I'm happy about that too, for the same reasons. I do that less, because I'm still learning and nothing is quite as easy as arugula. Another great book for gardeners, in this vein, is Animal Vegetable Miracle. Though I found her tomato sauce recipe bland, the rest of the book was great. Susannah

Hi again, Thanks so much for the measurements! I think we can work something like that in our smaller bedroom and still have enough floor for his bed.... I will have to measure tomorrow when I don't risk making noise near the bedrooms (our sons sleep with their door open). He still wants to sleep with his brother, but they have made a few comments about having their own rooms soon. We can relocate the computer and set up the room as originally intended for him. Thanks again!