Plant Crafters celebrates 20 years in business
By Thea Steinmetz
Insights
Published June 27, 2007

It has been a quite while since I checked out Plant Crafters for inspiration. So when I saw their banner on the building announcing their 20 years in business, it was time to pay them a visit. I would have guessed it was no longer than 10 years since Bruce Burnett and Steve Galehouse opened their place for business. Some years later they dissolved their partnership and Steve moved further west with his own business.

While I had intended mostly to see their nursery stock, I spent more time indoors admiring their wares. There is something for every taste and the store is very well stocked. You say you don’t have a green thumb? The great selection of faux flowers might interest you. A wonderful wood Adirondack chair is waiting for one that lounges rather than digs in the soil. After all, someone has to watch the birds, butterflies and hummingbirds on a lazy afternoon.

Exquisite tiles, reminiscent of Vincent van Gogh’s dazzling clear colors, caught my eye. One cannot look at these tiles of electric blue or crimson red and not smile. A Rocky Ridge fountain with an amazingly robust sound makes for an added attraction within the store. Artistic glass, reminiscent of the best-known glass artist of our time, Chehuly, is a feast for the eye. There are two fanciful pieces I wished would fit into my budget, but with a $228 prize tag it was not to be. Even though they are worth every cent, I could not take them home, but looking at them is a pure artistic pleasure.

It is fun to browse and discover unusual items. There are a few funky picnic baskets, and even a container for transporting ice cream to a picnic. The diaper bag did not interest me, but several other unusual items did.

To promote 20 years in business, numerous specials can be found right now. The sizeable selection of ceramic pots are all to be had at 40 percent off. The large glazed pots are a special bargain and make a striking addition to any garden setting. Other garden ornamentations are also reduced and there is plenty of statuary to match any taste.

The large outdoor area is filled with a great variety of nursery stock. There is no other nursery around here that has planted horseradish in one of their displays. The large green leaves are used at times to line an appetizer tray attractively.

The white oleander will bring memories back to anyone who has ever visited Tuscany. This is a plant that will show off very well in any garden. Too bad it can’t survive our winters and has to be brought indoors. Hedges of this fragrant plant will be implanted as a memory for many a traveler.

Bruce is especially fond of the white sweet bay magnolia tree that is still in bloom. He points out that there are only about two feet of soil all around the plant in the middle of the cement walk.  It has been cut back several times but nothing daunts this plant’s timeless beauty.  While it is not recommended for most magnolias to be cut back, this one seems to thrive with an occasional haircut.

Whether one is looking to plant splashes of soft color or establish a massive evergreen hedge, it can all be found here. Countless unusual and magnificent specimen trees and shrubs are waiting to be taken home. Now that summer is here, Bruce feels that his customers go more for color than facing the need to upgrade their shrubs and trees. Fluid sweeps of color always make a statement in a garden. Now is the time to take advantage of reduced prices on nursery stock.

There are also smaller grasses and sedges that are ideal for container planting. With the big savings on decorative pots, this is an idea to plan for. There is no law that says one can only plant flowers in containers. The textured grasses can be planted alone or grouped in combination.

The extremely colorful croton has long been one of my favorites. It has not only color, but also texture and the large leaf punches up the shape. While some think of it as a houseplant, it does well in the garden for the summer. I have grown it in pots and then brought it inside as soon as fall winds chill the air.

For several years this column has advocated trips to nurseries, whether to purchase plants or just feed the soul. One gets a good feeling wandering through rows and rows of alluring possibilities. A very happy anniversary to Plant Crafters.

A Word About Mulching
No matter where you find the plants that speak to you, I would like to suggest to avoid a common mistake carried out by untrained help the landscapers employ. When you entrust your plants to them, they should not mulch to kingdom come. So when you do your own mulching, leave a bit of breathing space around each plant. By piling the mulch too close around and even inside the tender little branches, you cut off any air circulation the plants need to thrive.