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sylviatexas1

HAVE: Spring Swap & Iris Garden Tour, Southwest Dallas Co Area

sylviatexas1
18 years ago

Remember Bobbie Mason, "the eccentric I aspire to be", the one who tossed iris rhizomes instead of candy at spectators at a parade? (She came to the FW autumn swap at Trinity Park.)

Welllll, her extensive iris garden should be in full bloom by April 1, so she's hosting a combination Garden Tour/Garden Swap for us!

I've seen Bobbie's irises at the raggedy tail-end of the season, & they were gorgeous then; they'll be knock-outs in full swing!

The gardens are in Red Oak, just south of DeSoto off I-35E & Ovilla Road (about 6 miles south of I-20 & I-35E intersection).

Starts at 10 AM, goes til we all go home.

Same kind of set-up at at previous swaps, with the addition of a potluck luncheon (a practice I saw at another group's swap, it worked great):

Bring your plants, seeds, tools, garden art, books, magazines, pots, decorative items, anything you want to trade.

Pre-trading is a good way to be sure you can get something you really want, & encourages people to come.

Post lists of what you have, what you want, etc.

Spouses & children welcome.

Please leave pets at home (don't know about yours, but mine, even though they're usually well-behaved, would be sure to galumph through somebody's tender plantings!)

Comments (36)

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    Directions to the swap:

    121 Creekview Drive West
    Red Oak

    If you're west of Dallas (FW, Grand Prairie, Arlington, etc), take I-20 toward Dallas & go south on I-35W.

    From I-20 & I-35W in DeSoto:
    South on 35 thru DeSoto.
    Take Ovilla Road exit & stay on the access road.
    Right on Red Oak Road.
    Pass Creekview East.
    Right on Creekview West.

    If you're coming from the south:
    Take I-35W north past Waxahachie.
    If the Red Oak Road bridge has been completed, you can exit there, take the bridge west across the freeway, pass Creekview East & go right on Creekview West.

    If the bridge is not open, exit at Ovilla Rd, cross the freeway, & take the southbound access road to Red Oak Road.
    Pass Creekview East & turn right on Creekview West.

    You can't miss it:
    On the left, you'll see the vacant lot & then the house with the iris garden.

    If you need more detailed directions, please email me.

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    Just the "Old Reliables" as yet, have to see what'll be out by then!

    Kwanzo daylily: double form of the native orange ditch lily.
    Tremendously hardy, it's ideal for hot, dry, low-maintenance areas.

    Chocolate Mint: smells just like a York Peppermint Patty!
    Beautiful dark green foliage with purple cast.

    Lambs Ears: "ever silver". Wonderful velvety plants.

    Achillea Paprika: yarrow. ferny foliage, red flowers with yellow centers.

    Other than plants:

    miscellaneous plastic pots
    may have some vases

    Can bring if anyone wants to trade (email for photos):

    several fifties dolls.
    They all need some TLC:
    clothes, hair stylist, etc.
    They're *not*, say, Revlons.
    Some may be R14, some baby dolls, etc.

    dusty rose or dusty pink decor pieces to hang on the wall: 1 window with a planter type thing at the bottom, 3 hearts that say "Follow" "Your" "Dreams".
    There's another piece, but I can't remember what it is! shelf maybe?

    Wants:
    Sedum other than Autumn Joy, white, or lavender
    bricks
    stepping stones
    Glass top for a table

  • barefoot_in_texas
    18 years ago

    Sylvia - I'll be there. I remember Bobbie - she was a hoot. Don't know yet what I'll have but I'll defintely be there. Keep us posted especially with details of the pot luck.

  • yoyo75052
    18 years ago

    Sylvia,
    You know my husband and I will be there :). We've been to Bobbie's house a couple times before. She is such a nice lady. Hope to see her Iris garden in full bloom.
    So no more FW swap? Do you hear anything from Dave's Garden? The swap in Arlington last year. TT

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    This swap/tour came about because of opportunity & location:
    last summer we discovered that a lot of people were driving a long way to swaps when we actually lived closer to Grand Prairie/Southwest Dallas County/Ovilla, etc.

    Then Bobbie said she'd like to have it at her house where she could do the tour in conjunction with the swap, sooooo...

    Last year's Arlington Swap was thru Dave's Garden, I don't know what's cooking (isn't that an apt word???) for this spring/summer, I do know several of the DG people are planning on coming to this one.

    Our growing season is so long, & our membership so far-ranging, I think there's time & opportunity for several swaps.

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    dug up a bunch of stuff this morning:

    Kwanzo daylilies
    lamb's ears
    chocolate mint
    Achillea Paprika (red yarrow)
    shrimp plant
    Moses in the Boat/Wandering Jew: green with burgundy edge & burgundy veins

    I also have a thing that, uh, I don't know what it is.
    It seems to be a large bell or Christmas tree made from maybe grapevines or willow.
    You hang it by this big hook, & it spirals down so you can decorate it.

    If anyone wants plastic pots, vases, or jars, please let me know.

  • barefoot_in_texas
    18 years ago

    I don't know what I'll have yet. Sylvia - are we doing a pot luck lunch? Details please.

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    Sorta potluck, sorta snackies.

    (ot a balanced meal requiring thought & planning by any means)

    Mitch is bringing a vegetable tray, & I think somebody's bringing a fruit or relish tray.

    & I forgot to mention the Salvia Black & Blue.
    Beautiful stuff!

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    I dug up some coreopsis & potted it, just the common hardy kind, bright yellow flowers & sort of weedy looking leaves.

    also have a few old-fashioned yellow iris, the ancient historics that are the first iris to bloom every year.
    They're amazingly robust, & they spread well.

    The pots of lamb's ears were sitting under an eave.
    right exactly under an eave.
    an eave with no rain gutter.
    Pummeled by 24 hours of rain, the lamb's ears today are pretty battered looking, & most of the soil has been churned out of their pots, leaving their roots exposed.

    will try again.

  • leaz7b
    18 years ago

    Sylvia,

    I am bound and determined to get there. I will have many seedlings of various plants from my winter sowing, plus as many veggie and flower seeds as I can pawn off on people. Please let me know what I need to bring for the pot luck.

    Lea

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    Lea-

    Great!

    I had an inquiry yesterday from a young mom who wants to get her children started on vegetable gardening!

    The potluck is way way casual.

    If you have a specialty, bring that, & if you don't, bring something easy for you to handle & easy for us to eat!

  • leaz7b
    18 years ago

    I will also bring canned drinks or 2 liters and cups. That is always missing(haha). Just let me know a count close to d-day so noone will go thirsty. Lea

  • tina_2
    18 years ago

    Hi Sylvia - I can bring a meat/cracker tray, napkins.

    Here's my haves & wants for the swap:

    have:

    cuttings- fragrant, mock orange bush - for light shade.


    cuttings- night blooming cereus - houseplant.

    cuttings - variegated vinca vine - for shade.

    fragrant, creeping phlox - plant - for shade.

    yucca plant - young - for sun.

    rosemary plant- young - for sun.

    6- in. plastic pots.

    And anything else I can find!

    My very special stuff:

    These are fragrant, moisturizing soaps - non Lye - that I make from scratch at home. I am very strict about these & have done 5- months of research, before even attempting to make a batch. I have lots of family, including myself - try them out before they are offered - to anyone.

    Just to name a few, I will have: tropical scent, citrus burst,

    shea jasmine & whatever is left at swap time.


    I am looking for these plants:

    yarrow - Hey Sylvia.

    iris - Hey Sylvia.

    herbs.

    grasses.

    groundcover.

    veggies.

    daylillies.

    african violets - for an elderly friend.


    Large planters- wood or plastic or whatever we can load into my van, safely.

    Hope, I didn't forget anything! See you all there!


    Happy Gardening -Tina_2


  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    Hey Tina!

    I'll bring you some red yarrow (& I may have white, will have to check) & iris:
    I know I have iris albicans (white cemetary iris) & similar chrome yellow ones & dark purple ones with white/lemon yellow beards.
    I think the dark purple is the one that re-bloomed last summer.

  • tina_2
    17 years ago

    Hi Sylvia - Sounds great! If you can - save me those beat up lamb's ears. My daughter, would love them!

    I have to add to my list;

    I have ; one - 6 ft. x 10 ft. - pond net cover.

    So, If anyone can use it - I am going to bring it.

    I hope, to get there around 10 am.

    See you all there! Tina _2

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    I'll bring 'em, Tina.

    The yellow iris is Gold Imperial, introduced 1924.

  • tina_2
    17 years ago

    Hi Sylvia - Sounds great! I can't wait to see everyone! Has anyone heard from Weldon? He brought some of the Earthkind Roses, to the Ft. Worth Swap. I wanted to know, how he was doing. My Belinda's Dream Rose - that I received from him, is doing great! It even produced one small rose (even though it was a very young plant) before winter came. Maybe we should all exchange email addresses, to keep in touch. I am going to bring some paper & pencils- to the swap, so that we can. It's hard, to keep track of everyone.
    I met some really nice people, at the swaps. But, I can't remember everyone or where they are from. I do want to keep in touch, get advice, ask gardening questions, see what is growing, etc. The swaps are always so much fun & I always learn something new or hear of a new idea.
    See you all there! Tina_2

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    Here's the Crimson King historic iris that I'll bring.
    It was introduced in 192

    4!

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    Bobbie says the swap is on RAIN or SHINE:
    if it rains, we'll put up her tent & keep on keepin' on!
    so bring your umbrellas just in case.

    She would like:
    violets
    ajuga
    phlox
    ferns

    She has all kinds of plants to trade.

    Bobbie has a friend who grows herbs; hope she gets to come!

    and I hope to see the young woman from Starbucks:
    She's into physical fitness (her "other job" is personal trainer) & natural & folk remedies & plant lore, as she's learning about her own Native American heritage.

    So if you have culinary or medicinal herbs or other such plants, please bring 'em!

  • leaz7b
    17 years ago

    I have a few large wooden planters ( in varying conditions) that I will bring. I have one Viola Blue Perfection if you think Bobbie would like it. I may have a Heucherra Bressingham, and maybe a Nepeta Walker's Low.
    I will also have an Eden climbing rose if anyone is interested. I got overzealous last year and ordered two from somewhere (ARE?). It has a little ice damage from our December freeze, but otherwise healthy.I have many seedlings from my WS as well and seeds out the wazoo. I am so excited about the swap! Can't wait to meet everyone or see some people I've met before. Lea

  • yoyo75052
    17 years ago

    I'll bring
    Cosmo (orangr seedling)
    Purple pin cushion
    Pregnant onion
    Elephant ear (edible taro)
    Butterfly ginger (white)
    crapemyrtle
    water celery
    bamboo (golden dwarf-running)
    Henson cherry
    Herb
    Seeds

    I'm looking for brug and ...brugs. Can't wait to see you all. I might not sleep tonight :):) See ya.

    TT

  • tina_2
    17 years ago

    You will have to teach me, how you did that! I have lots of garden pics - but, don't know how to post them.
    Tina_2

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    yoyo-
    Cocobid is going to try to come, & she has brug cuttings!

    I may or may not be back at the computer before tomorrow.

    If anyone needs me, Tina has my #.

    See you all there!

    sylvia

    ps: Although the weather is beautiful, that sun is intense (already!).
    If you have canopies, tents, etc, you might bring them.
    & I always try to bring my own folding canvas camping chair, just in case.

  • leaz7b
    17 years ago

    Sylvia,

    I had a blast today. I wanted to say thanks for your generosity, and a thanks to everyone who attended. I have some wonderful new plants, found adoptive parents for my puny little seedlings, and sent seeds from Ovilla to Guatemala in one fail swoop. What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday!! Please tell Bobbie and Robert I said thank you for being such sweet hosts!

    Lea

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    It was fun, wasn't it?

    I was really gratified to see so many people from different "places":
    gardenweb
    daves garden
    Ovilla Garden Club
    Ellis Co Master Gardeners
    a couple of my Realtor friends
    people we stopped on the street....

    Thanks to all for making it a blast!

  • amyg
    16 years ago

    Am so excited about Swap. Met Bobby last year, and loved some of her different Iris varities. I have over 400 TB Iris, so can bring some Iris.
    Also can bring Water plants like lilies, and water cannas, undwerater grasses,and floaters. No fish- Mr. Heron had nice feast few weeks ago.
    Also have Wyoming, Red Knight and other cannas if interested in.
    Silverado Sage- larger bushes, may need help digging them up-live about 4 miles from Sylvia.
    Antique Rose bushes- just email if interested.
    Passionflower Vines- could set up nice pots full
    LOTS, LOTS 1-3 gall nursery pots- fill entire wagon. Also some larger 5+ gall pots.
    Looking for:
    Iris that I dont have, and Salvias, or any blue perinials.
    Also need a banana plant- ours died due to freeze.
    Also would like someone to teach me how to grow morning glory- mine never work.
    I think I will have a number of plant books available.

    Can't wait

    Amy

  • daylily79
    16 years ago

    Amy this was last year - sorry... I could help with those Sage bushes if you need it sending out a email too - Mitch

  • mikeandbarb
    16 years ago

    Amy, Maybe you could come to the Trinity park swap on April 7th?

    See thread

    Here is a link that might be useful: have: ft worth april 7. trinity park, part deux - texas gardening forum - gardenweb

  • melvalena
    16 years ago

    Phew!!!!

    Boy I thought this was a DFW Swap I didn't know about!

    Sure would like a passion flower vine if Amyg is planning on coming to one of the other swaps.

    I have a red banana I pulled out of the ground this last weekend. I put it in a pot, not sure if its gonna come back or not. I suspect it will.

  • sylviatexas1
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    skeered me too!

    Amy, the swap last year really was fun, but Bobbie is prez of the Ovilla Garden Club this year, so she's too "scheduled" to have one at her home this year.

    BUT

    We're having a swap in Ft Worth April 7 (see the thread on this forum).
    This is the Texas Forum's annual Spring Swap, & it's lots of fun. There're always lots of people & tons of plants & garden things, & the Botanic Gardens are just across the street if you still have the strength to visit them after our "Spring Break" garden frenzy!

    & the Ovilla Garden Club has one in Ovilla June 2,(there's a thread about it, too) at the City Park.

    We can trade or sell, as long as we buy the $4 box lunch that they sell to fund their projects.

    & I know she'd love for you to come take a tour thru her gardens.

    She gave me permission to post her phone # (it's on the Ovilla thread.)

    email me at sylviaboardwalk@aol.com if you want more info.

    I do have some irises, some named, some mysteries, that I'd be happy to bring you. Just let me know.

  • Gretchen W.
    11 years ago

    Does the person that lives in DeSoto ever have swaps anymore? I think at least 7 years ago I bought many iris's from her.

  • prsb
    11 years ago

    Wow this swap sounds awesome. I live in Austin so can't really make it over there, can't justify driving that long a distance. But the iris garden and all the planst mentioned sounds tempting. I wish someone could throw me some rhizomes all the way to Austin.

    Enjoy!!

  • melvalena
    11 years ago

    No, There hasn't been a Ft Worth Swap in several years now.

  • carrie751
    11 years ago

    This thread originated in 2006.

  • sewnmom7
    11 years ago

    yea, i got so excited, i can't go to Bobbies house,swap,tour[eventho i'd love to ,, but thought i might talk sylvia into trading something for lambs ear.. THEN, i saw date ,only 6 years late, do ya remember" "aday late and a dollar short"" yea, thats me......molly/ sewnmom

  • dcarpenter
    11 years ago

    Bummer! I was getting so excited :(

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