Boojum, ha, nothing is cheap, but the least expensive I have seen is on RT 9 heading west from Brattleboro (exit 1) at a small nursery called Rashed's or something similar to that spelling which is on the right side of the road just before the Molly Stark Motel. He has his 6 packs at 2.49 each, Newfane's are at 2.75 and Walkers at 2.99. Not sure about Dutton's but you could check their other stand near the Chelsea Royal Diner and close to Rashed's. You can also go to 5 acres in Northfield Mass 2.99 or 19.99 flat but you can mix the 6 packs of various annuals. I assume the others will give you a flat deal too, so Rashed may be the cheapest. Have fun.
Rocky Dale Garden is up past Rutland in Bristol Vt. Hours away, but was worth the drive just to walk through the gardens with all the mature trees and shrubs. You would like it very much as it has the feel of your garden, though far fewer Iris. Wide grass walks meander through large plantings of mature trees and shrubs inter-planted with big clumps of perennials with the sound of running water from a stream and river near by. Idyllic. There is a very nice owner and staff who are all seriously involved with plants. You might have bought Primula from Rocky Dale and not known it as they had a table at Tower Hill Primula show. They were the first table as you entered the sales area on the left being run by a dark haired women named Amy. She was also selling plants for the Primula Society. You would have walked past that table on the way to Susan's table. Last year Amy was at the near end table around the corner from that long hall where Susan Schnare was selling her Primula at the far end.
Rocky Dale has similar prices to Walkers and Bay State Perennials, but way more shrubs and trees for sale, though nothing there was nothing that I needed or could afford now. But I did drool on many, just watering them this trip. I did pick up some nice perennials as he has some unusual cultivars that were all perfectly grown and large. Not a lot of annuals, though a few odd ones, same with herbs. List of what I found will follow when I get the whole truck unloaded in Nantucket. It is nearly full of all things green and growing, so I am doing the happy dance all the way to the poor house. We went to the farmers market in West Brattleboro too and it seemed that the plants there were more expensive than at the nurseries.....odd. Saw some dreaded red lily beetles while on my wanderings and shrieked and then squished them, in honor of all lily lovers. Caught a pair mating. They died happy. Patti
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