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!)

New Arrival!

posted by eric

We are all so very happy & proud to present the newest addition to the Tellys Family - Kathy & her husband Chris have announced the arrival of their new blessing; Christian Gabriel Hsieh, born December 15 at 3:10pm, 10lbs. 1oz. - 22" long! Way to go, guys - & a heartfelt congratulations from all of us! (We can hardly wait to help Christian start planning his very first garden!)

Tick . . . Tick! . . . Tick! . . .

posted by eric
Its hard to believe that a mere six weeks from now, our new production facility in Shelby will be up and running! -This is going to be a nail-biter! Despite the weather, it is finally covered, and gas & electric will be hooked up over the next week. George has been out there every day in rain & snow & 50 mile per hour winds ensuring everything is completed to his exacting details. The shot above is of the inside of the headhouse which connects the entire complex. With a gutter height of 20', you could fit 15 semi trucks in here with room to spare!

Lots of site updates have been made over the past week, including multiple care sheets filled with helpful tips & tricks on growing specific plants, with many, many more to come. I'll be populating the 'Horticultural Care' page (under departments) over the next several months. Shortly, I will begin posting some of the exciting new finds for 2010, as well as some long lost old ones! Several new "Behind the Seeds" videos are also in the works for the Tellyvision segment of the site.....

In the mean time, remember to enjoy each day for what it is, appretiate each person for who they are, and take the time to stop & smell the roses . . . or cyclamen . . . or jasmine . . . or . . .

Busy! Busy! Busy!

posted by eric

Well, we may all be knee deep in holiday preparations, and mentally preparing for the first snows of the season, but in the greenhouse, spring is already well under way! Our first planting of Fuchsia cuttings are now on the germination tables, to grow the very first roots of their very young lives! In just a few short weeks, we will be potting these into baskets to ensure they will be burgeoning with color in time for Mother's Day!


Elsewhere on the property, our famously high quality selection of Christmas trees is looking incredible! To help you in your selection, I've posted a Christmas Tree Selection Guide on our site, which I hope will prove to be informative & helpful in making your way through the tradition pursuit of the perfect tree for your holidays! (It may take a while to load, so please be patient!) Also added to the site this week; our African Violet Care Sheet. To check ALL the LATEST updates on the site, click on the "Site Updates" link on the bottom right of our homepage.


Please take the time to be safe & enjoy this holiday season!

Tellyvision Launched!

posted by eric

Well, I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and found plenty to be thankful for! Personally, I'm thankful for my health, my friends & family, the fact that I have such a great job, & that I work with & for such wonderful people! I am also thankful that in addition to some major progress on the website over the past few weeks, I have finally managed to lauch one of my many pet projects; "Tellyvision"! Some of you may have seen this running from time to time at our info center at the Troy store, but it now (finally) has a permanent home. These are short videos I've created in my "spare time" revolving around various aspects of the greenhouse. While only a handful of videos are currently available, I'll be adding new content as time allows. I hope you'll check it out, & as always, I look forward to your feedback! Tellyvision is located under "Departments" on the "Behind the Seeds" page. You can check it out by clicking here. - Enjoy! -

It's About Time, I know!

posted by Eric

Ok, guys, sorry for not getting any posts up for awhile - this is long overdue. It's not that nothing new has been happening, in fact, quite the opposite! Back in August, Telly's purchased the old Mueller's Sunrise Nursery in Shelby Township. We had been looking for a closer location for our production facility for quite some time. With the new facility under construction, we are all looking forward to "breaking in" our new facility in a few short weeks! Click here for more info.

Our new Holiday Workshop schedule has been posted and, as always, we look forward to working with you side by side to create your own personal holiday arrangements!

Some new arrivals in the greenhouse include the new Split-leaf Monstera called "Cheesecake". When I first heard about it, I thought, "Hmm - another new variegated philo . . . woopie . . . ", but after laying eyes on it, I must say - I am truly impressed with this plant and its bold cheesecake colored variegation. Also new, is Pothos 'Pearls & Jade' which must be seen to be believed (pics just don't do it justice!) Also just in, some new bonsai starters & Braided Croton Trees that are very unique. Of course, our Poinsettia crop is looking absolutely phenomenal!

We hope to see you soon!

Hosta Empress Wu - The Wait Is Over!

posted by Mike H.

This new mammoth hosta is taking the world by storm. With a mature mound height of 4 feet, huge, dark green leaves with prominent veins and thick substance up to 18" long, this is one ofthe largest ever. Produces pale lavender flowers on 5' scapes in summer.

These babies are hot commodities so you might want to get yours while they last.

New Hosta Arrivals - Fantastic Sales

posted by Mike H

It has been a long, busy summer. I can't believe how long it has been since my last post, but I have some exciting news to share, so I;m compelled to finally sit down.

We just received a shipment of hot new hostas. You won't find these anywhere else so come in and see them for yourself.


Kaleidochrome is a Hosta longipes seedling unlike any other variegated hosta. The leaves feature an incredible yellow streaking which is very attractive. The pattern is unique to each leaf.









Other new hostas include:

Crossing The Rubicon - Huge, thick, slug resistant, gold leaves to 11" long by 8" wide.


Fuzzy Dice - Unusual, rich, blue-green foliage. Leaves have good substance. Sport of Blue Suede Shoes.


Lionheart - Pure white center with blue green margin. Good grower for white centered hosta. Sport of Robin Hood.


Lothar the Giant - Large specimen has deep green leaves 14" x 10". Thick substance.


Also Bogie and Bacall, Corn Muffins, Faith, Malabar, Pineapple Juice, Silvermist and Sunlight Sister


We have put quite a few high quality perennials on sale Half Price including:


All Actinidia (Kiwi Vine), Astilbe, Baptisia, Lobelia Fan Series and 6" Geraniums
Anchusa azurea (Italian Bugloss)
Bergenia Lunar Glow
Buddleia Evil Ways (Butterfly Bush)
Echinacea After Midnight (Coneflower)
Heuchera Crimson Curls (Coral Bells)
Pulmonaria Diana Clare (Lungwort)


Hope to see you soon!

Telly's on Good Mornig America

Posted by Eric

Many of you know we do alot of work with Urban Farming, a non-profit organization which sponsers gardens in urban areas to provide food for those in need. We believe this to be a truly worthy cause, and we invite you to become involved! http://www.urbanfarming.org/

This Wednesday, Good Morning America will be featuring the Kettering High School Urban Garden, one of the many local gardens we support. Be sure to catch it! (The press release is availble at http://www.detroit.k12.mi.us/news/article/1769/) Get involved!

Garden Lilies For Color and Fragrance

posted by Mike H

Now that the lilies are starting to bloom, the perennial department is loaded with tons of color and sweet scent. Tellys' lily selection is better than ever in 2009..... Asiatic, Oriental, OT and LA hybrid lilies to satisfy everyone from the lily novice to collector.

Here are some samples of the earliest of our lilies to open up, with many more on the way.

Grand Cru - Asiatic

Mona Lisa - Oriental

Vermeer - Asiatic

Monte Negro - Asiatic

Shh! - Mum's the word!

Posted by Eric

Well, spring has been crazy, to be sure, but in addition to all the things that go on at the greenhouse in any given day, we are always working several months ahead. Behind the scenes, we've already begun growing our (always incredible) crops of fall mums! We produce more than 10,000 pots of mums spread across seven different plantings to ensure we have just the right colors & sizes for you - when you need them! Our first crop is already well under way (these are grown under shade to "trick" them into blooming early) and should be ready for August planting. With six more plantings to follow, we will be well stocked right through fall! (Our poinsettia crop will begin taking root just one month from now!) - Whew!

Raising Cane - Bamboos at Telly's

posted by Mike H.

Wow! Is it really May 21st already? I've been trying to grab a few minutes to let everyone know that our bamboo are absolutely fabulous are better than ever in Telly's perennial department this spring.

Who hasn't dreamed of a little exotic or oriental touch in their gardens? With hardy bamboo it is quite possible, and easy too.

Our clumping boos, Fargesia rufa, F. murialae and F. robusta are thick, lush, well behaved evergreens with a somewhat weeping habit. They are excellent focal points or screens for lightly shaded area of the yard, kind of like evergreen Japanes maples.

Fargesia rufa

For those who want really bold, somewhat aggressive bamboo, we also carry Phyllostachys alata and P. bissettii. These plants are already close to ten feet tall and are rock hardy in our climate. The much sought after black bamboo, P. nigra, though not as hardy, is also available.

Phyllostachys spp.

If you want to raise cane, start at Telly's.

Spring Flyer & NEW Website are out!

Posted by Eric

The 2009 Planting Guide (& the coupon) are on the way to your mailbox! You will notice it has a new layout featuring the new & improved website.

We are also very excited to announce that Thursday afternoon, after several months of hard work, we launched our NEW website! Tellys.com - You will find a whole new look, alot more information (ALOT more), images of NEW & featured plants, and lots of NEW FEATURES, and nooks & crannies for you to explore! There, you will also find an advanced copy of our 2009 Planting Guide! Also, you can now register for classes & workshops - ON LINE! - Cool!

Although the site is up & there is already alot to see & read, it is far from complete. We are adding even MORE new content almost daily - so check back often! As always, we look forward to your feedback!

Hot Dog! Spring is well under way!

Posted by Eric

Wow! There's SO much going on . . . The spring flyer has (finally) gone to the printer & will be off to the post office this week! By the time it hit's your mail-box, the NEW website will be launched! - We are very excited for your feedback!

Just in time for Mother's day - Pansy & Snapdragon flats are on Sale for $9.99, seeds are 30% off, and Princess Lillies are on sale & going fast!

Also, our friends right down the road at insalata are now serving hot-dogs, cold drinks & snacks every weekend at the greenhouse entrance.

What can I say? Yum Yum! and Hot dog! - See you soon!

Happy EARTH DAY!

Posted by Eric

While many may feel this is actually a "non-holiday", in our times, I can think of no other secular observances so worthy of attention.
After more than a century of thoughtless consumerism run amuck, the direct impact of our daily decisions is now becomming apparent. There is ONE Earth. We are ONE People.
DO something GREEN today!

In observance of EARTH DAY, here are some new GREEN things going on around the greenhouse:

The first garden I ever designed (in 5th grade) featured all GREEN flowers! Seeing this Primrose "Green Lace" in Telly's perennial department took me back! It's ruffled, it's green, and it will be finding it way into my garden today!

Peas are GREEN and I love them! Recent visitors to the greenhouse have had the chance to watch the progress of my EARTH BOX. This "earth-friendly method of growing vegetables is amazing! I planted ORGANIC Snap Peas & Carrots on March 1st. I've already harvested about half a pound of delicious carrots, and fresh raw peas are now a daily delight for the staff!

The Woods Are Alive!

Posted by Mike H

On Easter morning my wife and I decided to enjoy the warm sunny spring day by taking a walk at one of our favorite local parks. Dodge Park has a wonderful array of walking/running/biking paths along the Clinton River and through a light woodland of mostly native trees.

The deciduous "forest" canopy, still naked, allowed he warm sunshine to reach the usually shaded ground and some of the earliest woodland wildflowers were taking advantage of the situation. Amid millions of Trout Lilies (Erythronium americanum) and Spring Beauty (Clintonia virginica) I spotted one of my favorites; Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) just emerging from beneath the leaf litter.




A poppy relative, Bloodroot is one of many early blooming woodland treasures of eastern North America. In a race to emerge, flower and set seed before the trees leaf out and effectively intercept the sun's rays before reaching the forest floor, our native woodland wildflowers have evolved qualities that make them valuable garden plants that provide color and excitement before most of our typical garden plants get started.









Trillium are certainly one of the most popular of these woodland natives and we currently have five species available:


Trillium grandiflorum
Trillium luteum
Trillium erectum
Trillium sessile
Trillium recurvatum




In bloom in several colors at Telly's, along with several other favorite spring wildflowers.



Including the previously mentioned Bloodroot, Hepatica, Dutchman's Britches (Dicentra cucullaria) and the gorgeous Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica).

More Pack Trials Highlights

Posted by George

Zinnia 'Zahara Starlight'. I've been watching this one for a year or so and it looks like they have it perfected for 2010. This is the first bicolored flower on a mildew resistant plant. The 'Zahara' series is very similar to the 'Profusion' series but offers this unique color. Tellys will be offering a few of these plants in 2009!

Zinnia 'Profusion Yellow'. This is the best mildew resistant yellow zinnia available. It has good size flowers on plants that grow about 10-14" tall. This is sure to be a very popular plant. By the way, the 'Zahara' series is offering a new yellow that is very similar but from what I have seen thus far, the 'Profusion' version is slightly superior due to its uniformity and flower size.

Ipomoea 'Sweet Talk Light Green' and 'Purple'. These are sweet potato vines - some of the most popular bedding plants on the market - but with a new look. The foliage is exceptionally narrow providing an extra fine texture. This expands the sweet potato vine pallet to include a broad
range of colors as well as textures.

Petunia 'Sophistica Lime Rose Bicolor'. I sowed samples of this seed a few days ago not knowing what they would produce. The striped flowers have a color combination never seen in petunias before - Lime and Rose. I was pleasantly surprised to see this one. The flowers are large and
interesting but the flowers are somewhat variable producing some inconsistant striping. Nonetheless - a breeding breakthrough.

From the California Pack Trials

Posted by George

Hello from California! - Every year for about 9 days, plant companies from all over the world gather along the west coast of California to show off their varieties. At about 22 locations from San Diego to San Jose, 40+ different displays have been set up for growers, brokers, & retailers to see thousands of beautiful plants including new varieties for the next year (2010). We have been coming here for years to learn about and photograph the many plants the world's greatest breeders have to offer. Many of these plants will grace the benches at Tellys some day so that you can see for yourself what they have to offer. Following are some sneak peaks at some of the of the new plants we may be offering in 2010!

Calibrachoa 'Minifamous Double Amethyst'. There are a slew of new calibrachoa out there but this one offers a great color in a double flower form. Like the rest of the 'Minifamous' series, the self-cleaning flowers are held well above the foliage. This one has an extra bit of sheen to
its petals.

Petunia 'Pretty Much Picasso'. A new petunia plant that is interesting to say the least. This distinctive flower is rose with a green picotee edge. I couldn't believe it either but I photographed it just to prove it exists. This isn't for everyone but it will certainly become a conversation piece for gardeners everywhere.

Euphorbia 'Breathless Blush'. This type of euphorbia has become extremely popular the last few years and this one will surely become a favorite. It is similar to 'Diamond Frost' but with flowers "blushed" pink and foliage accented by a dark purplish center. If I had to pick one exceptional new plant for 2010, this is it!

Petunia 'Potunia Cappaccino'. This is one of many wild and crazy petunias that will be available in 2010. These almost beige flowers are accented by a center suffused with brown and purple. Some gardeners will find this color combination priceless while others (I'm sure) will find it useless. I can't wait for you to see this in real life!

Cordyline 'Renegade'. This is the darkest Cordyline we have yet to offer. The nearly black leaves provide a perfect focal point in containers or beds. It prefers sun or part sun and grows with very little maintenance. Try this one with gold foliage!

Well, this is my last day at the pack trials, & I have to get back on the road. There are plenty more exciting new finds I can't wait to share with you! I'll try to get some more "sneak peels" posted when I get back to Troy, over the weekend . . .

Days Start Early Out On The Farm

Posted by Eric












So many things happen at once this time of year, it's almost hard to keep track! George is touring growers up & down the left coast looking for NEW plants for 2010! The California Pack Trials provide the opportunity to observe the performance of new varieties in the ground, and the chance to determine which are worth growing for next year! (Yes, we really start a year in advance!)
Before he left, George & I spent an early morning reviewing the progress out at the farm (which at the rate Maria & crew are transplanting, is filling up quickly!) Many of the pants you see here were selected at last year's Pack Trials, and will be in the greenhouse in just a few short weeks as "New Plants for 2009"!
Afterwards, we were off to Ann Arbor to meet with our web site programmer to check on the progress of all the exciting new changes coming to the web site. We are very anxious to unveil the new look & all the new features! This has been a winter-long project, and we hope to share the results of our efforts later this month! As always, we look forward to your feedback!

I just Couldn't Resist!

Posted by Eric

Yeah, OK, maybe it's time I admit I'm just a sucker for weird plants, (I prefer to think of them as plants with "attitude") but here's another one! Introducing: Aeschynanthus radicans 'Rasta' - or, if you prefer, a Rastafarian Lipstick Plant! The traditional red "lipstick" blooms seem merely a perk when considering the curiously tantalizing texture created by the foliage . . .

Speaking of tantalizing, the greenhouse is really ramping up for spring! For those of us working in the greenhouse, one of the sure annual signs that planting season is soon to break, is when our heads become shaded by the thousands of hanging baskets we grow each year. Don't ask me how, but Maria & her crew managed to fill more than half the canopy of the greenhouse with baskets, in between transplanting thousands & thousands of seedlings and cuttings, in just the past few days! - Amazing! -

Pansies Are In!

Posted by Eric

Although I think we'll all be remembering this winter for a while, it's finally, officially over! And, while it may still be a few weeks before we can start actively putzing in the garden, we can start getting some color out there to keep our emerging tulips and daffs company! Pansies are in! These plants are tough, and have been grown cold, so they are ready to help you celebrate the much awaited arrival of spring!

STOP IN & CELEBRATE!

Packed the House!

Posted by Eric

Well Judy & George packed the house Saturday with their overwhelmingly popular "Growing Plants from Cuttings" workshop! - I must say, its so very nice to see people in the greenhouse again - a sure sign that Spring IS coming! Don’t miss out on next weeks’ adventure: "Growing Plants From Seed" Saturday at 10AM.

Susan and Sara have been very busy bees potting up thousands of Roses over the past several weeks, making sure to give every plant the individual attention required to meet the high quality standards our roses are known for! (-Just a few thousand more to go, girls!-)

NEW ARRIVALS!

Posted by Eric


In trying times like these, we begin to take better stock in what's really important; family, home, and community. Over the past year, we have seen many gardeners returning to vegetable gardening as therapy, a way to cut costs, and to bolster a sense of personal accomplishment. At the same time, as gardeners, we have begun to rediscover the superior taste & health benefits of homegrown produce. Although it may still several weeks before we can plant outdoors, T&M "Seed Sprouters" can be planted indoors, now! In less than one square foot of space, you can have fresh, healthy vegetable sprouts to enjoy in about three days! Great for snacking, salads & sandwiches, the health benefits of sprouts have long been known, and are again regaining much deserved notoriety. Save some money, boost your health, and feel good about the food you grow! With one small box, you can grow up to three varieties at a time (12 varieties from which to choose). "Seed Sprouters" are in stock now! (I’m already on my second crop!)











Need some color to wade out these lingering gray days of winter? These attractive, hand-painted glass frames can provide sparkling color and positive aspirations for things to come, when hung in any room with a window!

MIKADO is back! This small but enigmatic plant proved wildly popular last year. Given bright indirect light, and kept evenly moist, (think African Violet, but much easier), Syngonanthus chrysanthus ‘Mikado’ provides a nearly nonstop display that always spurs conversation. From its delicate grass-like foliage emerge multiple spindle of proudly held gold buds. (This is the only plant I know that naturally produces metallic cold color! - Truly a sight to see!) When mature, these buds reveal tiny, pure white, miniature chrysanthemum-like blooms. From New Zealand, Mikado is perfectly suited to the indoor temps of your home, but since it get way too warm in the greenhouse in summer, this is the only time of year we offer this botanical treasure. Don’t miss out!

A&E films at Telly's!

Posted by Eric

It was an exiting day in the greenhouse today! The A&E film crew was in to shoot a segment for a new show called "After the first 48". In the segment, which should air nationally in mid-June, our very own George assists a family in planning a memorial vegetable garden in conjunction with Urban Farming.

Originally, they had intended to shoot one portion of the show in our greenhouse, but, they were so impressed by the setting, they filmed for an additional two hours, capturing additional segments for the show! The crew was great, and we had alot of fun working with them. When they finished, more than half of them went shopping at Telly's, collecting treasures to take with them as they disperse across the country.

We are all looking forward to seeing George's national television debut! We will be sure to let you know when it will air!

And there you have it.

Posted by Eric

Wow! Thanks for playing! There were alot of good guesses. Unfortunately, no one guessed the plant correctly. Although it's a common houseplant, very few of us "northern gardeners" have had the opportunity to see it bloom. And, while the game may be over, there's still time to stop by the greenhouse & see it blooming! What is it? Aloe vera. Drop me a comment if you guys want to play again!

It has been an incredibly busy week! A fresh load of tropicals arrived from Florida, so if you can't afford to get away just now, stop and enjoy a tropical moment for yourself! There are Bananas, Mangos, Avacados, Cashew, and a plethora of Alocasias in all their diverse splendor, just to name a few... It's a refreshing pleasure just to see! - PLUS several new introductions for 2009! New pottery & accents are hitting the shelves every week.

A big thanks go out to Julian Adams for his spectacular Bonsai presentations today. It was an amazing turn-out, and is always a pleasure to host the events with the Four Season Bonsai Club!

DONT FORGET! - Next Saturday, is our annual Trough Making Workshop!

Let's Play a Game!

Posted by Eric

Can you name this plant? It began blooming in the greenhouse just yesterday. If you think you know what this plant is, e-mail me with the answer eric@tellys.com . The first person with the correct answer before February 22, will win a special prize! (Although, you will have to stop by the greenhouse to pick it up! - Greenhouse employees are not eligible, batteries not included . . . )

WOW! Things are really moving fast in the greenhouse! Filled to the brim with seedlings & cuttings, we've already begun transfering thousands of plants to the farm to make room for more. I'm expecting some exciting new pottery lines this week, and a HUGE shipment of exotic tropicals by the week-end (including more NEW for 2009 introductions), along with more bonsai plants & pots.

We are gearing up for next Sunday's BONSAI EVENT DOUBLE-HEADER with special guest Julian Adams. Offered in conjunction with The Four Season's Bonsai Club, this event is FREE, and we hope you can join us! http://www.tellys.com/events/february.shtml

George, Maria, & Judy are indulging in a few days of much deserved (and greatly overdue) R&R. We wish them well, hope they are enjoying themselves, & find some time to relax.