I apologize for the lack of handy information this website was created to give.  It seems as if a plague has been ravaging my house faster than the creeping buttercup is taking over my side yard despite its (almost) daily mowing.

Last week (while I was still somewhat coherent) my son and I took a trip across the Narrows Bridge to visit a well known nursery, Peninsula Gardens.

I first visited Peninsula when I worked at Boulevard Nursery.  A co-worker and I went with the then Boulevard Nursery owners to a WSNLA meeting.  The Peninsula owners were very gracious and gave us a lovely tour of their facility.  We learned a little of the background history of the nursery and the building (much of which I now forget).  What I do remember is their vast selection of indoor plants.  They rival Watson’s on their selection of indoor tropicals.

Since that encounter with Peninsula I’ve been back a few times.  Not many, but a few.  The main reason for my lack of exposure is because of the bridge.  First, there was that whole building the new bridge thing.  Traffic to the peninsula was terrible and I hate traffic.  Now that the new bridge is operational getting across is not problem.  However, I have a horrible fear of suspension bridges and both the old and the new are just that.  I can count on one hand the number of times I have personally driven across the Narrows.

Last week I was on a mission to find a tool that I was sure Peninsula had.  I loaded up my child and faced my fear.  Besides, it was a lovely day and we needed something to do outdoors.  As always, Peninsula was immaculate.  Their displays, indoors and out, are stunning.  They take great pride in the quality of their plant material and how that is showcased to the customers.  I appreciate that.  It used to be my job after all.

While there I picked up a few fuchsia starts, a new dahlia tuber and a gorgeous Fantastica Rhododendron (to replace my former one that died from neglect).  My son and I strolled through their limited selection of nursery stock and this is where my magical Peninsula experience started to go downhill.

I have worked in the nursery industry for 10 years now.  Granted, most of that time was in the local independent nursery of the smaller sort, but they were nurseries nonetheless.  I have never seen a nursery as high priced on their nursery stock as Peninsula.  They were selling, what appeared to be last year’s potted up, Dogwoods for upwards of $150.  I was shocked.  Upon further inspection, the large majority of their tree stock was similarly high priced.  I understand that the economy is in turmoil and businesses are trying their best to turn a profit, but by gouging the heck out of customers?  It doesn’t seem to be a prudent business move.

In addition the the outrageously priced items I found, I encountered cold customer service.  When I checked out the ladies were not warm and friendly like in other nurseries.  They seemed more interested in the job that they had to do (setting displays) rather than talking with (one of their only) customers.

I have to say despite these circumstances, I still walked away with a few plants for my collection.  I will go back, but with serious doubt.  I think Peninsula can do much better than this.