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Perennials Gardening in Canada

The renaissance of Lost Horizons?

LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON

last year

For those of us in Ontario, there was a gem of a nursery, Lost Horizons, that, sadly, went the way of many of the unique nurseries over the past few years, finally closing in 2021. However, I heard about Lost Horizons re-opening last year, with a pop-up location - but then they seemed to fade away. Their Facebook page doesn't have any updates, but maybe they're not social media. I see they have a website though, not much information there. Does anyone know what the deal is?

Featured Answer

gdinieontarioz5

11 months ago

Yes, they are up and running! I was there last week Friday, and was able to buy another Deinanthe caerulea, a nice big one, and a Knautia macedonica, a favourite that had given up the ghost after many years. Anyway, the plants are in a large field, with shade covers for the shade lovers. The plants look great, and I noticed many 'old friends' from Larry's time. I talked to Joe, who helped me find the Deinanthe. I asked if they still had that fantastic hardy Begonia grandis, and he expected it to be there later. Mine always comes up in the first week of June, so his were not up yet either. I also love the Saruma henryi, which self sows mildly for me, enough to make a nice little patch after a few years. It was definitely worth the trip for me, and I will be back later in the year, when I know better where I have a little room for another plant. I will post a few pictures in another comment in this thread via my phone

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Comments (12)

rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
last year
last modified: last year
I have emailed the "reincarnated" LH...twice last year and once this year and never had a response for any of these inquiries. The website looks the same today as it did last season ie of almost no value. There is no phone #. And so for obvious reasons I am not hopeful they will be around for 2023.
LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON thanked rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
last modified: last year
There is a post on their Facebook page from July 2022 reporting that two former staff members were carrying on at this address: 2681 25th Sideroad just west of the Guelph Line. No phone number provided.

Maybe if close enough, worth a drive to see what's what this year.
LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
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rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
last year
last modified: last year
Yes 'gg', that is the "new" LH that we are referring to. And as mentioned above, from what *I* have experienced and seen there is no reason to think that they will be around come....May 1.

(An hour drive one way for me. This was well worth my time when the "original" LH was in business...a unique, outstanding independent nursery.)
LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON thanked rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
rosaprimula
last year
Always sad when a beloved nursery closes. We still have an enormous, thriving nursery network in the UK, yet I fear that we will also see many closures because of energy costs and rampant inflationary financial issues.
LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON thanked rosaprimula
lowville5 zone5b/6 ON, Canada
last year
The new location is much closer to me than you, rouge21_gw (CDN Z6a). I will drive up there in the spring and report back to you. The most interesting plants I own I purchased from Lost Horizon, so here's hoping.
LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON thanked lowville5 zone5b/6 ON, Canada
gdinieontarioz5
last year
If only this were true, it would be fantastic! For me too, many of my most interesting perennials come from LH, plus there are a few I lost and would like to try again.
LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON thanked gdinieontarioz5
LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON
Original Author
last year
Yes Gardengal, it’s as rouge said. I don’t know anyone who got to the “new” version of the place - it was unclear to me whether they even got it together in the first place. I had the impression that if they did, it may have been more of a side stand, but what do I know? I haven’t heard anyone report back.
gdinieontarioz5
11 months ago

Joe watering some of the sun loving plants.

Another group beside the previous picture.

Shade lovers.

Plant table.

Another plant table.

This is where you pay, cards accepted.
LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON thanked gdinieontarioz5
Marie Tulin
11 months ago
A resurrection to be celebrated!!

i am jealous.
LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON thanked Marie Tulin
rosaprimula
11 months ago
That is a tricky road to choose, keeping the name of a legendary nursery (3000varieties). While the association and 'brand' might be a positive step, it does come with some risks...not least being a definite disappointment that the newer iteration is still in it's infancy and will take another few years before a really good and innovative inventory can be built up..
LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON thanked rosaprimula
LaLennoxa 6a/b Hamilton ON
Original Author
2 months ago
Dragging this one up from the dregs - did anyone else get a chance to visit during the season? Did they make a success of it enough to continue?

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