White Flower Farm began in 1950 as a private garden in Connecticut that attracted other enthusiasts. It grew into a business selling unique plants through mail order and its retail store. Today it operates on 200 acres, donates profits to gardening programs, and gives annual awards to community gardeners. Gardener's Supply Company and Uno Alia Volta are also featured, describing their origins and product offerings.

1. took them to Litchfield, Connecticut, where they converted a Subsequently, eight percent of the company's pre-tax profits are
barn into their weekend getaway. Somewhere along the way, donated to |>rogra?ns and organizations that promote gardening as
they fell in love with gardening and developed a permanent a way to improve the quality of people's lives, as well as that of the
case of writer's block. Their search for unique plants convinced environment. Each year, 21 people who are improving their commu-
them that gardening - at least in the late 1940s - was an nities through gardening also receive the company's Garden Crusader
untapped market. Thus, what began as a private garden that Awards that include "seed" money and products.
attracted other garden enthusiasts grew into a business called
White Flower Farm. Launched in 1950, its owners took pride Gardeners need protection
in the unique plants they were able to offer their customers. In from the sun and a stylish hat
1976, the business was sold to Eliot Wadsworth, who contin- always dimes in handy! Sherrill
ues the pledge to collect and evaluate plants from around the has a Gardner's Delight Sun
world. The retail store is located on 200 acres of land, where Hat that offers a lot of protec-
customers can enjoy self-guided tours of the gardens or attend tion — this hat has plenty of
educational events that are held on a year-round basis. brim to keep the sun out ot the
eyes, but the real difference is
How about a gift of a handmade in the back of the hat, where a
brooch? For spring, choose one long, sort-of ruffled "veil" keeps
tnat futures the sun off the neck and upper
brightly back. The fabric is comfortable
colored and breathable; a c h i n --trap N UK iuJrJ tor windv Jaw > iT.95 +
S&.H. From High Country Gardens. Call 800-925-9387 or visit
fWWW'' flovvcrs'
f <-' K^ leaves and
a ladybug.
wuw.highcountrygardens.com.
Silversmiths About High Country Gardens: There's more to see in Santa Fe,
from British Sterling craft this New Mexico besides art and Native-made jewelry. David and Ava
from jewelers' enamel, cubic zirconia and mar- Salman own a renowned garden center — Santa Fe Greenhouses - as
casite. $138 + S&.H. Nothing exemplifies well as its mail-order/online counterpart, High Country Gardens.
summer like a sunflower and this hrooch, David is considered to be one of the country's foremost experts on
also from a London-based jeweler, sparkles xeriscaping, which became part of gardening lingo about 10 years ago,
with Swarovski crystals. $98 + S&.H. From Uno Alia Volta. Call when drought conditions were causing municipalities to ration water.
800-625-1866 or visit www.UnoAUaVoha.com. Thus began Salman's crusade to incorporate native and water-wise
plants into landscapes.(An agastache variety he developed is named
About Uno Alia. Volta: Company founder Terri Alpert aimed to in honor of Ava.) His expertise has made him a favorite on the lec-
fill her catalogues with items that are made "one at a time," thus her ture circuit and his words of wisdom have been shared in countless
company prides itself on items that are made by master artisans from magazines, newspapers and television networks such as HGTV. Last
all over the world. The choices cover the gamut and touch on fashion , year, he was the recipient of the American Horticultural Society's
home decor and gift giving. The company is based in North Branford, Great American Gardeners Award. Stores are located in Santa Fe
Connecticut. and Albuquerque, where tours of the gardens, workshops and lectures
are offered.
Do you know a gardener who is
always hunting for a piece of twine The delicate beauty of Bleeding Hearts is displayed in this set
to tie up a plant? Here's a handy of seven ornaments. Each of the 1-1/2 to 2-inch tall, pink-and-
new tool: a Pocket Clothespin white glass ornaments are realistic portrayals of their namesake
Cutter with Twine. The roll ot flowers - the Bleeding Heart (Dicentra). A truly romantic gift
all-natural twine is sized to fit into for the nature lover! $14-95 + S&.H. From Gardener's Supply
the front pocket of a pair of pants. Company. Call 800-427-3363 or visit www.gardeners.com.
The clothespin, with a cutting
blade set into its head, hooks onto
the pants pocket. After the desired
length of twine is pulled out, it is
easily cut by inserting it into the
head of the clothespin. Comes
with two rolls of jute; great for
tying up tomatoes, coneflowers,
you name it! $19.95 + S&.H. Fro?n Gardener's Supply Company.
Call 800-427-3363 or visit www.gardeners.com.
About Gardener's Supply Company: This is another New
England-based company - Burlington, Vermont - that boasts both a
catalogue and storefronts. Founded in 1983 by several garden enthu-
siasts, the company continues to be employee-owned. Gardener's
Supply takes pride in the /act that its research and development team
has devised products that are innovative, earth-friendly and a help
to gardeners of all levels. Essentially, the company views gardening Does your gardening friend like to have note cards on
as a way to make the world a better place one backyard at a time. hand to keep in touch with friends and family.' If so, a set
44 LAM . - n i < l . sn - DECEMBER 2CW

2. (if nature-themed note cards is just
the thins - the designs feature wild
hirds such as goldfinches and cedar
waxwings. The cards are also environ-
mentally friendly, as they are made of
handmade paper that is derived from
mulberry shrubs. Inside, there is a
special gift of seeded paper that can be
planted. Next year's crop of wildflow-
ers produced from that seed will serve
as a special reminder of the person
from whom the note was received.
Box of 16 cards, $38 + S&H. From
Una Alia Volta. Call 800-625-1866
or visit www.UnoAllaVoha.com.
For the more practical-minded,
there's a way to move those big, heavy
containers without straining your
back. The straps of the Pot Lifter are
placed around the pot. Two people
can grab the handles (one on each
side) and easily move a pot weigh-
ing up to 200 pounds! Now, it'll be
so much easier to take those pots of
tender plants inside for the winter.
$29.95 + S&H. From Gardener's Supply
Company. Call 800-427-3363 or visit
www.gardeners.com. •«•
Sherrill and Jim Kroeck
From The Deerskin Leather Shop
have applied their
passion for plants by " • Park City Center, Lancaster,
being involved in the
horticulture industry
THE (717)393-5259
for many years. They
enjoy gardening,
DEERSKIN • Kitchen Kettle Village, Intercourse,
1(717)768-8261 ^
birdwatching and
renovating their LEATHER • Exton Square Mall, Exton, .^ <
turn-of-the-century
home.
SHOP (610)363-0184 ^A-i^l
I. si STER COUNTY - DECEMBER 2009 45