Farewells, Flashlights & Fall Events

posted by eric

Yes, it has been far too long since I've posted, I know. But I'm glad you're here and checking it out! We are fortunate to say it has been a very hectic season for the staff at Telly's, and a year well worth experiencing. Getting our new growing facility up and running was a huge undertaking, as was the opening of our new location in Shelby Township. This has kept us all very busy indeed!

FAREWELLS:

After all this time, some staff updates are sorely in order . . .

We were all very much saddened by the loss of Hector, our Bonsai expert this past July. It is under his tutelage that our Bonsai department was delveloped and nurtured, and he was a major contributor to the Four Seasons Bonsai Club of Michigan. He is fondly remembered, and the seeds he planted & shared with us continue to grow.

In August, we congregated one last time at The Gathering Place for mass reflections with our friend, co-worker, and designer extraordinaire, Sara. Off to Iowa to begin a new act in her life adventure, we all wish her well in this, the newest part of her journey. We will miss both her presence and her spirit, as well as her unstoppable inspirations & jaw-dropping botanical creations.

- Our loss is Iowa's gain - far more than they could yet know . . .

FLAHSLIGHTS:

Our 6TH Annual Flashlight Sale was an absolute blast! Perhaps singularly, the most fun shopping event of the year, we always look forward to it & really enjoy the flashlit ambiance of the hundreds of guests who attended this exclusive event! - Thanks to everyone who participated! (If you missed it, look for it to roll around again - next September!)

FALL EVENTS:
Our Fall Class Schedule is on-line, and, although these events are free, we always appretiate those who take the time to "pre-register" (it gives us a fighting chance to plan for your attendance). I've added a new page to the website which should make it easier to browse the class list, and quick-links to pre-register on-line in mere seconds! CLICK HERE to check it out!

ENTER to WIN!

posted by eric












Here's your chance to win a Telly's Gift Card up to $150 in value! Just print out the entry form & drop it off at either of our stores to enter - It's that easy! Click here for your entry form.

What's NEW for 2011?

posted by George

Every year, about this time, plant companies from all over the world gather along 460 miles of the west coast of California to show off their varieties. At about 22 locations from San Diego to San Jose, more than 40 displays are set up for growers, retailers & brokers to see thousands of beautiful annual plants including new varieties for next year (2011). We have been coming here for years to photograph & learn about countless plants the world's greatest breaders have to offer. We use this opportunity to evaluate what's available, which plants will perform well, and select new plants to grow in the future. Here are some "sneak peaks" of some of the new plants we may be offering in 2011!
Begonia 'Gryphon'

A Rex begonia from seed! I believe this will be one of the more popular annuals for 2011, because it produces a full, saleable plant much more economically, & quicker than conventional methods. This shade loving plant may be grown in beds or containers, and, like most begonias, it makes a beautiful houseplant as well. The silvery leaves have an equally attractive maroon reverse.


Begonia 'Illumination Gold Picotee'

This addition to the 'Illumination' series of cascading tuberous begonias adds a beautiful orange & gold bi-color flower to the palette. This is ideal for hanging baskets, but may also be used as a component in shady combinations. These are easy-to-grow plants that require very little maintenance.

Calibrachoa ' Superbells Coralberry Punch'

This flower has a unique combination of colors. The outer coral edge surrounds a deep orange interior with a yellow center. Like most calibrachoa, it has a trailing habit that is ideal for hanging baskets, or as the floriferous trailing component in container combinations. Grow in full or part sun.

Canna 'Tropical Bronze Scarlet'

This addition to the 'Tropical' series of the first seed grown bronze-leaf canna! Seed is one of the few methods available for producing virus-free cannas. Plants grow about 3' tall, and produce deep scarlet red flowers above bronze-tinged foliage. I have already sown some of these to sample for this year, and am looking forward to seeing the results. Full or part sun.


Dahlia 'Lucky Face'

The photo here says it all; a unique combination of colors on one, very showy flower! Blooms are about 4" across on compact plants that grow about 15" tall. Like other Dahlias, 'Lucky Face' thrives in full sun.





Iberis 'Aboslutely Amethyst'
This is one of the few new perennials featured at the California Spring Trials this year. Perennial candytuft traditionally bloom pure white in spring. 'Absolutely Amethyst' has a completely different look with this new color! Plants do exhibit some rebloom in fall. Iberis are long-lived perennials that form mounds about 8 - 12" tall and 18 - 24" wide.




Impatiens 'Patchwork Peach Prism'
This new color combination promises to be stunning in hanging baskets, and inspiring for shady combinations. Unlike traditional bedding impatiens, this one is grown from cuttings. Best grown in full or part shade.





Petunia 'Black Velvet'
This plant gets us as close as we can get to a black flowering bedding plant. These upright plants produce flowers all summer in full or part sun, but will require some deadheading. The developers are emphasizing that this color goes with everything. From what I saw here in California, I think they are right.

Petunia 'Easy Wave Pink Dawn'

I'm seeing dozens of new petunias out here, but a new wave is always good news. This wave is baby pink with a vibrant white center. It combines beautifully with some of the other colors, but also shows stunningly on its own. These self cleaning plants will spread and form a carpet of low maintenance color in full or part sun.

Petunia 'Potunia Papaya'

Potunias are the mounding version of the perfect petunia. 'Potunias' are compact and self-cleaning; they are great for bedding, as a components plant, and in hanging baskets. This is a stunning new color like no other in the petunia palette: sort of a cross between coral and orange.

Scaevola 'Suntastic'

This is the world's first yellow scaevola! The flowering is still light, and the flowers are somewhat small, but nonetheless, a breading breakthrough! If it performs nearly as well as its blue & occasionally pink cousins, this is the beginning of something interesting. Good for hanging baskets in full or part sun.

Verbena 'Estrella Voodoo Star'

I saw this plant in three different places out here, where it stood out from the rest each time. The trailing plants seem very floriferous & vigorous. This verbena is sure to draw some attention next spring!

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!