So… In the UK there are ‘National Collections’. I’ve never found that in the US but I do know plenty of gardeners who should be on that list. People who collect hellebores, bulbs, conifers, grasses, etc. One of the people I follow on-line has 400 ferns and knows the difference between each one. Galanthus is another one with many gardeners collecting 200 – 500 different cultivars. I’m just a beginner at 82 snowdrops. What excites you? What do you collect? Are you on the way to a national collection?
Replies
I'm not on the way to a national collection, no, but I do have about thirty Japanese maples in pots and sixteen in the ground. Unfortunately, I need to keep the tags on them or I forget their names.
I have to tag my things too. There are just too many to keep in my head. I also have a little map with notations on it to keep track in case some tags get lost. I love Japanese Maples
Map. What a nice idea. I wonder if I'll ever get organized enough to do such a smart thing.
Starting small is good. I just started drawing a small map area in my journal when I planted something with just a tree or shrub and a path for reference. It has gradually become more comprehensive. :)
I love Peonies. While I don't have the space for a large collection I have 8 different ones, several Intersectional varieties, each one a different color, with each bloom season represented. What I can't plant at home I plant in my clients' gardens. If only I had more land.
Humm. Maybe that is why I bought a house with 3 1/2 acres a couple of years ago. Slowly the lawn grass is disappearing. I usually tuck in at least one snowdrop in each client's garden. They are so excited the next spring when they see it for the first time.
Peonies are so beautiful. I've tucked five around my garden.
I love peonies too. I have several, my favorite is Paeonia mlokosewitschii (Molly the Witch Peony), my 'Holy Grail' of peonies.