FINALLY!!!

posted by eric
First off, let me begin by saying Congratulations and Thank You! (Also, please forgive my break in format as I dispense the following editorial dissertation.)

In the day to day ongoings of our lives, it seems (to me) that big business & politics win out way too often over & at the expense of small businesses & the common man. So much so, in fact, that such impingement upon our lives has become compulsory & so covertly ingrained in the status quo, that even the most astute of us fall prey to complacency in regard to it. It is also unfortunate, that perhaps we are more likely to note the exceptions than the commonplace atrocities. But it is good that we do note them, and are worthy to the celebrate disrailment of such injustices.

So then, we invite you to celebrate with us. For far too many years, the City of Troy, in contradiction to the cries of it's citizens, and the tenants of reason, has elected to persecute, and attempted to interfere & obstruct with the operation of one of her longest standing family businesses; Telly's Greenhouse. This, they have done in a continual fashion, at substantial expense to her taxpayers, and an operation which gives generously of time & resources to the citizens of it's community. Alas, at last, it is behind us!

After countless losses under the position of the court, the city has finally, with reason, opted to cease it's endless litany of inane appeals. The "Right-To-Farm Act" still stands. We prevail. Chalk one up for the common man!

We, and farmers across this great nation thank you for your support, for standing at our side, and for using your voices in support of us. Thank You, and Congratulations!

Some pretty cool cats . . .

posted by eric
I love this time of year in the greenhouse! The air is once again filled with the moist oxygen-rich air of living, growing things - each breath is refreshing - and every moment, the palpable excitement we feel for the coming spring grows! This time of year, things begin to change so quickly . . . Susan & Sara are hard at work potting thousands upon thousands of roses. Their dedication & attention to detail is insiring as they imbue each plant with the quality only we can offer! We also extend a warm welcome to Scott, out new assistant grower, as he & Mike M. oversee the nurturing of all the new babies arriving at the production facility.


Over the past week, I've stocked litterally thousands of fresh houseplants & tropical treasures from Florida including more than 20 NEW varieties for 2010! A BIG thanks to Mike & George for helping me unpack them! Here are just a few highlights that came out of those boxes:
Calathea 'Jester'
Calatheas are easy to grow mederate to lower light plants. This one, with is enigmatic flashes of cream, chartreuse & yellow is sure to brighten any room!
Cissus amazonica
Also called "Amazon Jungle Vine", this tendril climber is considered rare (I've been trying to get my hands on this one for a few years now). We are proud to offer it, but if you're interested, hurry in - I only have a handful!

Vanilla planifolium 'Variegata'
Speaking of rare, how about a variegated Vanilla bean orchid? Yep - They're here - and at a Telly's price! They are easy to grow if you remember two things; they like bright, diffused light, & should be kept evenly moist (not wet).

Cattleya Orchids
This year, our Orchid selection is better than ever! Far mor than the common fare you will find elsewhere, our selections include; Ludisia (terrestrial Jewel Orchid), Oncidium, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid), Vanilla, and some pretty cool Cats (Cattleya) - ALL at Telly's pricing! - We will also be unveiling several varieties of summer blooming orchids later in the season - perfect for the patio & combination pots!
Nepthytis (Syngonanthus) 'Emerald Gem'
We haven't stocked "Arrow Vine" for a few years now, but this one, with it's bold and ghostly white random flashing is a real stunner!




Colocasia 'Elena'
Those of you who know me know I love my "Elephant Ears". New for 2010, 'Elena' has strong potential for containers with its clearly chartreuse leaf, & a purple splotch in the center! Hmmm . . . .
Aglaonema 'Spakling Sarab'
I'm not sure yet if this variety is as indestructable as other "Chinese Evergreens", but, if it is; Katie - bar the doors! Nearly translucent cany-pink stems hold pink & white veined leaved with pink & white confetti splashes! This one has be seen to be believed!

Stop in & see all our other exciting new varieties!

There's still time!

Happy Groundhog's Day!

posted by eric
SEEDS ARE IN! (And boy, are they ever!) With nearly 600 varieties in stock already, this year's spread includes more than 100 Heirlooms, 125 Certified Organic seed varieties, and 130 NEW selections for 2010! Sprouts are back (with an expanded selection) plus our new microgreens & growing kits - perfect for "feeding" that "growing" itch - right now! (I can hardly wait to get started - Oh wait - I don't have to!)

We are expecting a huge shipment from our sub-tropical friends on Saturday! In addition to tropicals & houseplants, it will also include fresh assortments for Bonsai! This is going to be a very fun shipment with some extremely cool plants on board. I'm very anxious to get it unloaded & displayed so I can unveil some of the "neat new stuff" for 2010! Here is just a (very small) hint of what's to come:
(Cordyline 'Mocha Latte', Neoregelia 'Puppy Love', Colocasia 'Mojito')

Kids & Kudos!

posted by eric

Well, it's taken me a while, but I finally managed to get the "Kids' Patch" up on the website. (A BIG thanks to all the great folks at the University of Illinois Extension for all their help & support!) They have put together some really super-cool stuff for kids, now available on our site! - (If I weren't me, I would be embarrased to admit I spent a good eight hours turning into a six-year-old checking out all these neat things for kids to do while they learn about plants, & gardens, & the world around them!) DO YOURSELF A FAVOR - Take a few minutes to be six again & check it out!

Next up - Some KUDOS are in order! Over the past month, several of our Telly's-team members have earned accolades from the industry! George was featured in "Green Profit" magazine. This is a green industry publication which seeks out indivuals & businesses that do things right. It is one of several places people in our business go for information, inspiration, & advice. KUDOS George!

The OFA (Ohio Florist Association) puts out another such publication. In January's edition, Our very own Susan was featured as "What Every Gardener Want to Find in Their Garden Center". Selected for her incredible knowledge of roses, the unmatched quality of the roses she grows, and her unsurpassable level of customer service, Susan was dubbed "The go-to expert on roses in metro Detroit!" (We've known for years that she is the best of the best! - We are all very proud Susan is part of our team! Give here a pat on the back the next time you see her (just don't sneak up behind her - she might have a pair of pruners in her hand!) KUDOS Susan!

January has also brought another honor among our ranks. This month's "Fine Gardening" magazine features an incredble article on houseplants by our very own Julia! Be sure to check it out! Her beautiful article is so elequently written, you hardly need the photos of plants (but I'm glad they included them!) Julia's broad range of talents, knowledge, and her down-to-earth ability to convey them will never cease to amaze us! KUDOS Julia!


I'd write more, but I have to go buy some houseplants now!

Happy New Year!

posted by Eric
Just a reminder - We're open all winter! Stop in to say "Hi"! We also have nice line-up of weekly & monthly specials - be sure to keep checking them out, as there will be new ones "cropping" up often! Shortly, we'll begin unveiling some of the exciting new plants for 2010, as well as some rediscovered old favs we haven't seen for a while!
We wish everyone the safest, happiest, most productive year a garden can grow!

In the Trenches

posted by eric
We love the fact that what we do brings beauty to your lives & gardens, but not everything we go through to make that happen is, in itself, pretty. While the rest of us are running around tying up loose ends, wrapping presents, or trying to find that loose light bulb on the Christmas tree, Mike Maran, our Grower is in the trenches at Shelby. Here, knee deep in what must be some pretty cold mud, Mike spends hours running & connecting all the water lines for the new production facility. It is this kind of hands-on dedication (in front of & behind the seeds) by many of our staff that enables us to continue to bring you the Gardener's Paradise each year! (I, for one, will never take for granted the ability to water a plant in need!)