Its bad enough when the dolts don't know anything about the plants they sell
but when they try to pass themselves off as experts at the same time, that's
it.

Got into a disagreemant about some local celebrity that works at a local
well-known nursery. Some one said that she has been a manager there for
several years and really knew her stuff. I said she only knows what she
reads on the plant tags and after all these years she should have retained
at least some basic info about the stuff they sell.

"escapee" wrote in message
...
On 8 May 2004 22:47:17 -0700, (gardengal) opined:

"Cereus-validus" wrote in message
...
There you go taunting those highly paid plant scientists working at the
garden centers again. Its bad enough that they are forced to make fools
of
themselves on a daily basis catering to the great unwashed minions. Now
you
have to remind them of the limits of their wisdom too?

Its bad enough that they are forced to sell the crap plants to the
public.
You have to remind them that the crap is actually a threat to the
environment too? Should they be held responsible for any damage these
plants
might do? Its not as though they humiliated Iraqi terrorist prisoners
that
killed innocent citizens and American soldiers. (We don't want
terrorists to
feel bad for committing unspeakable evil acts, do we?) What do you want
from
them a apology?


"escapee" wrote in message
...
Hey, I saw a garden center selling purple loosetrife and when I
pointed it
out,
the manager argued with me that it "wasn't the one which is the
noxious
weed."
I said, "yes it is." She walked away. She is also selling Nandina
domestica
and wax leaf ligustrum and Chinese tallow. I may give misinformation
here
now
and then, I know I'm not perfect, but these garden centers suck. I
reported her
only because she would not even consider for a moment that I knew
what I
was
talking about.

It isn't the fault of the employee that these huge mega box stores are
selling noxious weeds. These companies are trying to get the customer
to spend all their money there by creating a one stop shopping
experience. (That's why you will find air-conditioners next to out
door furniture. grin) They have no experience with gardening or
flowers--everything that is sold is a choice of someone at
'corporate', in some distant place, who has no idea of the local
growing conditions or laws. (In Idaho it is illegal to import garlic
and onions from out of state. You must buy from a local grower. This
prevents white mold from spreading. But every year Wally-world
brings it in extremely early, on big trucks,in the middle of the
night.) I call the county extention agent or the State Agricultural
board--they have the right to come in and demand paperwork and levy
fines. They also enforce local noxious weed laws. Contact your county
agent and explain the situation--in farm country enforcement of
agricultural laws- like noxious weeds- is taken seriously. Disease
like white mold can devastate entire crops. But please lay of the poor
wage slave--it's hard work ( been there-done that)
This is an example of just one more reason to patronise local
merchants and garden shops--even if the prices are a little higher.

This is a two store, high end garden center. It's called Red Barn Nursery
and
Garden center. It's not a huge box store, doesn't have air conditioners
next to
plants and the person I spoke to is the horticultural manager who oversees
purchases and sales of perennials. Clearly she was selling Lysimachia
vulgaris
and she denied it was "the same one" that's noxious. I indeed did contact
the
local environmental groups and hopefully they will address it immediately.
I
grow very tired of pompous nursery workers, managers and the like who look
down
their noses at customers because they point out something very obvious.
She was
very rude and contrite.