I hate to say that I have never visited the growers near Anchorage, out in the Matanuska Valley and down on the Kenia peninsula. They don't cater much to individual buyers of plants and are more focused on selling blooms. The botanical garden does order some plants from Fritz Gardens on the Kenai to resell and to fill in ones we have lost but I purchased a number for them for the garden not for resale so they may not do it this year. They are pretty spendy for our little operation. At least $26 each.

keiko





yumi





strawberry blond



singing in the rain



still waiting for cora louise, takara, berry garcia, and bartzella

Wow, stunning flowers everyone. I can't wait until my plants get to the point where they can put on a show like I've seen here.

I hate to interrupt the string of bloom photos, but I just wanted to quickly share my latest acquisition.



I was finally able to get my hands on Caroline Constabel, which I am quite excited to see flower in the future (those dark flares are too good). Unfortunately none of the plants had any visible buds so I guess it's time to play the waiting game. Caroline Constabel was the reason for my trip, but Pink Double Dandy (AKA 'Keiko') and Joanna Marlene found their way home with me as well.

I saw the picture and my eyes popped. I thought for maybe a second that those were huge blooms on each palnt. Not just pictures. but they are indeed beautiful 'blooms.'

Can I ask how much you paid in Cad $ for those plants, Nick?

I wish, Mary! I think I have two to three year wait before I see flowers like that unfortunately. :\

Hello Karen. I paid $55 CAD each for the plants.

I can only dream about an ITOH for that price around here.

Tracy, surely there are some that are that low. I know they tend to run $100+ as a general rule but still I have seen some in the $60's.

I wait for the end of season sales, and sometimes can get them for near $20. CDN
But the draw back,-- then,--- is that the labels have been lost or mixed up so I am never quite sure as to what I am getting.

I should have clarified, potted up for sale at a greenhouses this time of year. Bare root prices tend to be much more reasonable purchased from growers for fall delivery.

It is the left over potted ones that I find late in season.
But my preference is to get good strong bare roots to plant in fall.

Thanks Nick! I did not expect them to be that high! I was thinking along the line of 30-40. How far off I am!

Nick, you were fortunate to get your plants at that price, and hopefully you'll see blooms sooner.

Here's my 2nd Yumi


Both my Scarlet Heaven are blooming, planted last fall from Swenson's



Pastel Splendor


Takara



More of Cora Louise



My 1st Yumi

Wow Annette, those are stunning!

I agree with Tracey, Annette. My Itoh collection is still very small, every time I saw you guys post, it makes me want to buy more of the Itohs.

Thanks Tracey and Yan! I also want to buy more Itohs, I love the size and colors of the various blooms, and the stems are so sturdy.

Wow, you guys have such spectacular blooms from your itohs! Love the colors blend on your Singin in the Rain, Gray and your Yumi is just awesome, Annette! Those are super gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.

Taken after two days of thunderstorms.
'Singing in the Rain'

Don't you love the mix of colors on the same plant with SITR, Mieko? I divided mine 2 years ago, still waiting for it to have side buds again.

This is one of the dormant potted plants I bought at Iris City in March !
Three blooms is not bad.
I like the streaks in the blooms.