Contrary Mary’s Plants & Designs
You know how a group of crows is called a murder, a group of finches is called a charm, a group of Blue Jays is called a party, and a group of owls is called a parliament??? Welllllll…..What do you call a group of tomatoes…???? Give???
Spaghetti Sauce!
Daylillies Cucumbers Eggplants Herbs Melons Peppers Squash.Zucchini Tomatoes Other Veggies Hostas Peonies Succulents
It’s that time of year again, when we close our regular hours for the season (where DOES the time go?!). We are now OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, so please call me at (815) 521-9535 or email me at contrarymary@contrarymarysplants.com if there is anything you need. We are hoping our Hardworking Honeybees will have a crop of Nectar From The Bee Gods (aka raw honey) ready for us to harvest in late summer……please check back for updates. If you’ve never had raw honey, ya know not what you miss! It is FABULOUS tasting, and maaaaahhhhhvelous health-wise for you.
In the meantime, I’ve got a couple of other updates. I have reluctantly made the decision to discontinue the shipping side of our business. I’m so sorry but WE WILL NO LONGER BE SHIPPING OUR HOSTAS, PEONIES, AND DAYLILIES. It has become too difficult to maintain the walk-in retail side and the mail order side, and I do not want quality and service to suffer. I unfortunately just can’t do it all!!!!
I am not currently digging Hostas, but am taking “wish lists”. The weather has not cooperated, and I have been so busy with veggie/annual/perennial customers that I was unable to do much weeding and digging yet this year. If I could only learn how to clone myself…… (yikes!!!!!)
Believe it or not, I am already contemplating next year’s offerings! I REALLY need your feedback as it helps me to decide what to grow for next year. Also pictures!!! I ADORE pics to use on my website!!!!!! At this time we are thinking we probably will offer the preorder and pick-up option again next year in addition to (hopefully) being able to open for walk-in business. Whatya think about that? Was it helpful/convenient/easy?
I’m looking forward to hearing from my maaaahhhhvelous Plantheads! In the meantime, please stay safe, think good thoughts, and above all else BE KIND AND THINK GREEN!!!!!!.
I know everyone is stressed, worried and unsure. Gardening will ground us (pun intended!), and hopefully relieve some of our stress and anxiety. Mom Nature surely knows how to comfort us! I hope all my Plantheads are keeping safe and being sensible; hope to see you (at a Social Distance of course) soon! PLEASE take care of yourselves and remember to be EXTRA kind. We SHALL get through this. We so very much appreciate and are grateful for your support and patronage.
Stay SAFE and think GREEN!
Contrary Mary, Contrary Charlie, Duncan, Finnegan and Lexie
Welcome to Contrary Mary’s! We are a small, family-owned greenhouse located southwest of Chicago, and we specialize in unusual perennials, hostas, peonies, daylilies, and unique fruits and vegetables that you won’t find at big chain nurseries. We can help you find the perfect plant for your sunny (or shady, damp, dry, etc.) spot to provide color and texture. Our plants are perfectly suited to our Midwest environment in Chicagoland; all of our perennials are hardy to at least Zone 5, and are plants that I think are excellent additions to everyone’s garden (gotta haves!) We pride ourselves in our HUGE selection of Heirloom veggie plants that, although we are not certified organic, grow with only organic fertilizers with NO pesticides (gotta protect our precious Bee Buddies!)
AND PLEASE REMEMBER…..IF YOU ARE COMING OUT FOR ANYTHING SPECIAL, CALL OR EMAIL FIRST!!! JUST BECAUSE IT IS LISTED ON THE WEBSITE, IT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. ALSO DIGGING PLANTS IS WEATHER-DEPENDENT (AND I SURE CAN’T CONTROL MOTHER NATURE!). I just don’t want any of my Gardening Buds to be disappointed!
Duncan (hard at work as usual)
Jamie (Always In Our Hearts) & Lexie taking a break
Finnegan and Lexie
Mickey
Always in our hearts