Sometimes you find inspiration for a new garden bed on the clearance rack at your local nursery. I am such a bargain shopper! I love the challenge of bringing a plant back from near death and a few years down the road I brag that I only paid a few dollars for that now beautiful plant.
I found the below Blue Flag Water Irises on clearance and decided they would make an excellent border around my pond that is only half buried.
I am also not against taking plants others have thrown away for garbage. The below St Joseph’s lilies ((Hippeastrum x johnsonii) came from a pile someone had placed on the curb. There must have been thirty or forty? There were enough that now I have them down the drive and around the patio. This is historically considered the very first hybrid amaryllis and it multiples freely!
This iris came from a curbside garbage pile,too!
These Oakleaf Hydrangeas were from the clearance aisle of a nursery a few years ago. After a few seasons of care they are beautiful! Hard to believe I only paid a few dollars for them.
And, yes, even Gus was a discount dog. He came from the local dog shelter!
Pass-a-long plants are a wonderful way to grow your garden on the cheap! Keep an eye out as you are driving around as you may never know where your next idea for your garden may come!
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There’s a great group on Facebook called The Plants Exchange that you might be interested in, Arthur. I’m in Australia so I don’t think I can exchange much with people overseas, but it’s pretty cool. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThePlantsExchange/
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Thanks!
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That lily is beautiful. I’ve never seen or heard of it. I like the iris too-nice color!
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I have seen that Amaryllis all around Beaufort, North Carolina and other small towns. Took me awhile to find its name.
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I am glad I’m not the only one who does this! My friend, calls me twice a year when she thins out her garden – it’s me or the dumpster and I can’t allow her to throw anything away! ~maria
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Exactly! I use to be so crazy about having only improved and named varieties. Not anymore! Although, I do keep the tags. It just takes me awhile to find them you anyone ever wants the name.
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Arthur, I do the same thing, but have not had as much success as you have. How wonderful to have come across such beautiful finds, especially your dog, Gus!
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I love that I am not the only one that shops for plants on the roadside or loves the discount bins. Unfortunately because I live in FL many times I have to take some sort of insecticide to the plants so I don’t bring anything into my indoor or outdoor garden. I also shop for plants in local parks and gardens all it takes is some time and a little rooting compound to get a beautiful plant out of a couple of inches of branch or stem.
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Yes, I may be a good idea to quarantine new plants or inspect and clean them with a strong spray from the garden hose!
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We have scale and white fly that can rip through a garden in no time at all. It is difficult to get rid of both once it takes hold.
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You must live in a very nice area to find such interesting plants left out for the garbage! Nothing like that ever happens near me! Christina
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Well, I drive around – a lot! Its a good thing to drive the rich neighborhoods and talk to the landscapers, too! 🙂
Many area may also have local garden clubs or gardening blogs.
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Way to go! There is nothing better than a sale or better yet free!
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Gus may have been a discount dog, but he sure is cute!
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Thanks. He is such a good dog. He does suffer from anxiety or panic attacks when he goes to the VET so he gets a “nerve pill” for those. I blame it on his stay at the shelter as a pup.
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so pretty!
Jessica
http://www.jumpintopuddles.com
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most of my garden has been created from taking cuttings or collecting peoples unwanted plants. I also walk around looking for seed 🙂 Great post Arthur Gus looks like a real sweetie *Brigid
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Gus is sweet. The Pitt Bull side of him gives him a strong sense of guard dog and the black lab side of him wants to play and be a lap dog! And he licks everything!
Thanks
Arthur
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love the terrier and lab combination *Brigid
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I cannot throw out anything in which there still is life – so when I had garden I did shop the back side of garden centers,neighbors gave me their extras, and I had jungle garden. Now that I am no longer strong enough to garden outside I have potted plants with full spectrum lighting on my window sills and I save the plants that my daughter would throw away due to lack of proper care. Ther’s LIFE in them scrawny things ! it is grand to see them thrive again.
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I agree!
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I can’t through a plant out unless there is no sign of life left in it. It is always nice to know someone that recuses them and sees their potential.
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