Best Plant Catalog 2007 Parody

Do you trust mail order plant catalogs? Sometimes it pays to read closely and be a little wary. Here is an example of what NOT to look for in a good catalog.

I have created a new award for 2007, specifically for plant catalogs. I am awarding best parody plant catalog award (2007) to Shady Deals Nursery. The plant descriptions are apt and helpful, the nomenclature precise (bone up on your gardener's Latin!) and be sure to check the warranty. Don't miss the book list, it's a winner, too.

If you are new to plant catalog reading, this version raises lots of red flags -- learn from it and apply your newfound awareness to the real plant catalogs you receive. If you have read your share of plant catalogs over the years, you will get a big kick out of this. Helful hint: Put your coffee cup down and swallow before you read it.

Update: if you are looking for helpful information about plant catalogs and how to get them and how to research them, check out my next blog on Mail Order Gardening By Mail Plant Catalogs.

Oh yeah, I should probably say many catalogs are great suppliers and do a wonderful job of educating gardeners and providing them with plants, seeds and supplies they might not find elsewhere, delivered in excellent condition and at a fair price. BUT as in any industry, there are a few bad apples or maybe shall we say, less good ones. Always read the fine print in your catalogs so you know exactly what to expect if there is ever a problem with your order, and be sure to research the plants in other sources besides the catalog description if you are captivated by the catalog hype. I think buyer awareness and buyer education are the buyer's responsibility -- even with the best catalogs.

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