Three for Thursday: The Apple of My Eye

For several years now, each time I worked the Harris County Master Gardeners'  fruit & citrus tree sale in January, I'd gaze longingly at the 3-in-1 espaliered apples that we offered and tell my co-workers how much I wanted to bring one home.  We were always too busy with customers for me to grab one before they ran out, though, so I'd sigh wistfully at the end of the day.  In February, I'd see the same 3-in-1 trees on a starved-for-nursery-time visit to Enchanted Gardens.  I'd tell myself I'd come back for one in a week or two ... but if I did, they were long since gone, off to grow in the gardens of more decisive hortheads than I.  

But yesterday was different.  I took the day off from my labors in the garden (even the HG agreed we could use some down time) and headed off for a day of nursery hopping.   I stopped first at Papershell: A Garden Gallery and visited with Elizabeth Barrow, the owner and a fellow Rice University graduate, as it turns out!  (I'll have more to say about that delightful experience in a post this weekend.)  She kindly gave me directions to get to Enchanted Forest the back way and I trundled on down the road in search of more garden treasure (despite the fact that there was absolutely NO room left in the front seat of the truck for plants).  Over in the fruit tree section of the nursery, I saw two gorgeous 3-in-1 espaliered apples and my spirits rose ... then fell when I saw they both had SOLD labels on them.  Well, shoot.   Just across from the citrus area, though, I did find 3 new succulents for the rock gardens along the front sidewalk.  (I figured I could make room for those in the front seat SOMEHOW. And I was right.)  As I was leaving the sales building, though, I spoke with Gary Lenderman, proprietor of EF, to inquire if they might get more of those apples.  He shook his head no, but offered to call over to the Gardens on the slight chance there might be some left there.  He was doubtful but to his surprise and my delight, there were a few left.  He asked them to hold one for me and away I went!

I arrived to find the nursery bustling with customers eager to take advantage of a beautiful spring day and got in line to pay for my tree (okay, I MIGHT have wandered the premises a bit first and I MIGHT have picked up a tri-color Euphorbia to replace the one I lost to freeze damage).  With the aid of a Gardens' employee, the tree was safely stowed in the bed of the truck and home I went.  I'm cogitating about where it would be happiest and dreaming of the day when I can bite into a Golden Dorsett,  Anna or Fuji apple that I grew myself!

I hope you'll join me, if not this week, then next, and post your own Three for Thursday. Pick 3 pictures of plants from your garden ... tell us about 3 books you've read that you want to share ... rant about 3 things that bug the heck out of you ... show us 3 pieces of garden art or 3 photos of egregious crimes against gardening ... you choose what your three will be.  Just have fun and be creative!