SongofJoy said:I haven't had any problem with the Aster yellows but understand that once a plant is infected, there is no cure. It has to go.
Patriot Hosta ...

Aster Yellows
I found this article about how to prevent Aster Yellows by discouraging the leaf hoppers that spread it. Makes sense to me.
http://www.ehow.com/how_9351_c...

sheryl
I love Patriot also and I have a Loyalist which I love even more! Do you have yours planted together, I never thought of that.
susan

I tried it with single plants but lost Loyalist. Buuuuttt.... I ordered 5 bare root of each and thought they'd make a nice contrast for each other. I think. Maybe? Well, we shall see!

Maybe a checkerboard pattern, lol.....

We shall !

I've grown many Echinacea over the last 25 years and have never had Aster Yellow . but everything I've read says the plant must be destroyed as soon as you see it so it does not spread.

Since we were also talking about Hellebore , they can get a virus that leads to Hellebore Black Death. If you see this plant must be destroyed ASAP so it does not spread. This I did get on one plant just glade I saw it in time.

Both good reasons to not overcrowd your plants.

Ack. But good to know in order to be on the lookout for it. Here are pictures and links to Hellebore problems:

http://www.hellebores.org/grow...

So ... got my package from Van Bourgondien today - either my karma is good or I hit the lucky package - everything looked good. The packaging was fine - they bag even their "potted" plants, but they're put in cardboard tubes with tabs that keep them in place. Nice plants, good root systems (this was the Stokesias). The rest were all roots, and I guess I really won't know until spring when they come up (or don't!).

It's so weird to be planting in January.

I got a catalogue from Van Bourgondien, but I didn't order anything. What all did you get? Keep us posted, I would like to see your pictures in spring, That is when I have some stuff coming and I plan on posting a lot of pictures like I did on Dave's Garden. This is a good thread and a good way for us to share every detail of the transaction so others will know. By the way how were the prices and what were the shipping cost, did you consider it to be fare? I just put in another order with ilovehostas.net and I love the fact that they only charge 3.99 for shipping no matter what you order. I get a little mad if I have to pay 10 or 12 dollars and I'm only getting two plants. This way I can order a few at a time and I don't feel like I'm getting ripped-off.

Nice to hear that the order pleased you well. I haven't ordered from VanB in quite awhile but the new catalog is sitting here staring at me as we speak.

Susan is right, it's nice to follow an ongoing progress report on these plants.

I get that about the strangeness of being out there planting right now. I still am too. Last year, January 9 looked like this here in Middle TN.

SongofJoy
That picture says it all, great pic! I have already put in several orders and will let you know how they look when they arrive.
susan

Thanks, Susan. It was bitterly cold and in the single-digits a lot last winter. So far, we've barely touched the teens. I think it was 18º one night. Very different this year. I'm not complaining at all.

Sheryl, so glad the order was acceptable. Maybe Van B is taking a turn for the better. The older companies like Park and Wayside need to do that too, or they will be in trouble. Before computer age, when you couldn't compare the plants I'm sure their sales were astronomical. Now with the Garden Watchdog you need to really supply good product.

Wow, the Garden Watchdog reviews are brutal for Van B. I just ordered some bulbs from there last week. Really hoping they arrive in good shape.

I've ordered bulbs and they were in fine shape. Not always true to name, though.

PollyK said:Sheryl, so glad the order was acceptable. Maybe Van B is taking a turn for the better. The older companies like Park and Wayside need to do that too, or they will be in trouble. Before computer age, when you couldn't compare the plants I'm sure their sales were astronomical. Now with the Garden Watchdog you need to really supply good product.

I look up everything on Watchdog. I also report good and bad experiences.
This year I have ordered from several different company's which I have never done business before. I have Coneflowers, Heuchera, Hostas and Hellebores on order and there will be plenty of pictures when I get them and comments posted on the Watchdog.

My bulbs from Van B arrived today.

They're in great shape! I was afraid they'd be frozen or mushy, as others had complained on GW, but I checked every single one and they look good! The packaging was okay. I guess you don't need to do anything elaborate for bulbs, but I wish they'd packed them with more paper or padding to protect them from bruising and to prevent them from possible freezing conditions during transit. The giant allium bulbs do seem quite a bit smaller than the bulbs I got from a local nursery.

I'm still nervous about planting this late, but I'm going to give it a go.

I really wonder what the deal is .... I guess they probably have inconsistent methods of packing or something.

And honestly, with the Loyalist Hostas that I planted today - had I not gotten them at 50% off, I wouldn't have been happy at all. They were pretty dang dinky. But, a package of 5 roots for (I think it was) $5 is hard to pass up.

5 for $5 sounds like a great buy for Loyalist even if they are small.Hosta is one of the few plants I will buy bare-root.

Sounds like a good price Sheryl. I will have to check that out before they get too busy and start messing everything up.
susan

I received five Hellebores from Mamajack today. Very nice plants. I'm pleased. I'll give one or two to a friend as a housewarming gift ... maybe.

They are: Ivory Prince, Green Gambler, Pink Parachutes, HGC Pink Frost and HGC Spring Party.