2025 Orders and Openings chat

Juliarugula

Does anybody have info on Ferncliff Gardens opening? Seems like they often open September 1, but I haven’t heard anything about an opening date yet this year.

Bessie

Juliarugula last year I ordered from them early. I see an email on November 7th that announced their new arrivals. I believe they opened right around that time.

Juliarugula

Bessie they usually open around Sept 1, but then they have a big restock and add their new intros in November, which is probably what you’re thinking of. (At least for the past three years or so, which is how long I’ve been paying attention…)

Last year they announced their Sept 1 opening ahead of time though, so I thought maybe I’d missed the announcement this year.

Juliarugula

Well, Ferncliff didn’t offer the main two dahlias I was hoping to pick up at their sale so I didn’t end up ordering. Oh well. One was Ferncliff Pearl, because I lost mine this year. I was surprised it wasn’t in this year’s catalog. (Probably I have friends who can swap with me for some though)

MissyWeitzel

Juliarugula Oh hey I have it and that's convenient because we can trade for Aja. 😉

BackyardBouquets_17

Juliarugula I’ve got Ferncliff Pearl in my garden. Only one plant survived all our wet weather this yr so depends on the clump size I may be able to help you out on that one.

Edited to add I see someone’s got it covered for you while I was typing 😀 looks like your all set but if not give me a holler

Juliarugula

BackyardBouquets_17 thanks for the offer!! Missy and I go to a couple of in person trades together so that should work out fine.

MissyWeitzel awesome!! Sounds good to me!

blown_dry

I believe Ferncliff usually does a big restock at least once.

Juliarugula

blown_dry I kind of recall them only adding new intros though. Do you happen to remember if they add other varieties at restocks? I suppose it’s likely to vary year to year one way or another. I’ll keep an eye out.

blown_dry

Juliarugula I'm pretty certain they did at least one major restock in the spring. And of course they add the intros in fall/winter.

bloomhjelm

Surprised at the pricing this year on a few early open sites,.or maybe it is the same as last year but my wallet is lighter.

$20+ for Cafe au Lait, Labyrinth, Bracken Ruse. $30+ still on Coseytowns despite seller protests. $35+ each still on KA cuttings. Fall cuttings that you have to overwinter for 8 months.

I'm keeping way more of my plants this year than I did last year and growing more seedlings and other flowers and vegetables so I should get off the soapbox. Demand drives price.

KitCMC

I wish I could shop a sale leisurely without a strategy and checking out with 1-2 tubers because of time. I kind of want to remove myself from the sale craziness because it has ceased to be pleasurable. Easier said than done.

calico20hill

KitCMC I did this for the most part last year. I just can't take tuber shopping as a sport. I am always happy to encourage new growers but Grrrrrrrr, they are not polite! (Grouchy old gardener)

KitCMC

calico20hill It’s hard to pass up some of the new varieties, but I just don’t like the competition of it.

Krista

I’ll add that even trading is a bit daunting anymore. The pushy attitudes and aggressive comms from online folks can really take away from the joy that I’d prefer to accompany the acquisition of a new coveted flower variety. Swaps amongst friends and the folks here are always my favorite!

KitCMC

Krista me too!

MissyWeitzel

I'm extremely blessed to have a whole bunch of dahlia snobs who are mindful about sanitizing tools nearby to trade with. We have an awesome swap group that does fall and spring swaps annually and each year I place fewer and fewer orders. Maybe this is a great opportunity to find nearby dahlia lovers and create your own swap group?

I'm happy to chat with you about how we run ours if you'd like. It's important to set a few parameters up front and aside from scheduling the swap date and location itself the whole thing kind of runs itself. Just PM me if you have questions!

KitCMC

MissyWeitzel thanks, that sounds really lovely. Plus, dahlia friends are always the nicest.

DarcyD

Tall Grass is opening on Halloween late afternoon or early evening PST. No list up sadly which makes it hard to know if you need to shop 😂. Fall ship only which I love.

calico20hill

DarcyD I just got a nice small order through. A few are sold out but its time to go look if you have not. Always good prices from TGF. Delighted they are still selling 2 of the Salish ones they started out selling for me years ago...sorry, S October Wedding is sold out now..their heat must bleach the color as its brighter for me than their picture...