My husband and I recently made a field trip visit to Botanique, a pitcher (and other) plant nursery near Stanardsville, VA, owned by Robert Sacilotto and Butch Bailey http://www.pitcherplant.com/
I am seldom at a loss for words, but this is one of those times.
It is said that a "picture is worth a thousand words" right? Or is that "pitcher?" These plants are just stunning. Above is one small area of one bed in one of the gardens at the nursery.
The greenhouse is in the left background of this photo, where the tropical plants are kept.
Sarracenia alata or S. alata x rubra, one of the exotic pitchers with unusual coloring.
More pitcher profusion.
Pitchers and pink calapogon orchids.
Robert gave us a tour of the nursery and a more knowledgeable horticulturalist I have never met. The nursery is more than a wholesale and retail sales enterprise, Robert and Butch are working to preserve many species of pitcher plants, some endangered. In other cases, Robert rescues whole colonies of plants where they are threatened by development. Robert hopes to apply for tax-exempt status and one day start a foundation dedicated to the preservation of these wonderful native and exotic plants.
From a consumer perspective, I received excellent service. My plants arrived in perfect condition with all the instructions I needed to plant them. The website contains lots of good information on growing these gems. Building a bog bed is not difficult. If you like these exotic plants, and have a sunny spot, I highly recommend growing them... and this nursery!
Happy gardening!
1 comment:
Beautiful.How wonderful to have been there.
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