February 2021
A great big thanks to all of my customers who, despite the trials and tribulations of living through the last year in a pandemic, have helped this small business to survive. I am so grateful for your support. 2020 brought with it many changes. It was my first year without a print catalog, my Epimedium talks turned into a virtual Zoom format, and all in-person plant sales were cancelled, so that all sales were done via mail order or quick pick up at the nursery. As it turned out, it was a good year to discontinue printing a catalog, as many gardeners unfamiliar with Epimediums found themselves with more time on their hands, discovered my website and became new customers. This influx of orders from new customers alone nearly made up for the loss of in-person sales. Last spring’s Epimedium display was also marred by damaging late spring frosts, so those of you who planned to visit during my Open Nursery Days didn’t miss a whole heck of a lot.
Looking forward to this spring I have added a few new plants to my offerings and FOUR themed collections this year, including one of companion perennials that bloom concurrently with Epimediums. In addition, with all of my Epimedium talks for plant groups being in Zoom format now, you have the opportunity to participate, no matter your location. Just email me your interest (karen@epimediums.com) and I will send you the link to join the program. I also have made some decisions regarding the nursery over the last year, and have a couple of announcements to make.
In light of the current virus situation, and the fact that most of my customers, like myself, are older, I feel compelled to do my part to keep everyone as safe as possible. With that in mind, I am cancelling my annual Open Nursery Days for 2021. All sales of plants will be done through mail order or a quick pick up at the nursery, which worked very well last year. To date, I am still awaiting word regarding my usual off-site in-person plant sales. I will post any new information as soon as it becomes available.
It is with some sadness, but also great excitement that I announce my plans to begin ramping down the nursery, with its ultimate closure at the end of next year (2022). This will be my last year to offer Epimediums via mail order. Next year, I will sell in-person only, at my Open Nursery Days during May and at my regular off-site sales, coronavirus permitting. I have come to this decision for many reasons, not the least important of which is that I have decided that it is time for a new adventure. In semi-retirement I hope to have the time to enjoy the little things in life– like having the time to visit OTHER people’s gardens in the spring! I appreciate all of the kindness and support that you have offered me over these last 20+ years. I love working with the plants, but it has been the people that have made my work really special.
I hope that the timing of this announcement allows you to plan a strategy for obtaining all of the Epimediums on your wish list, or even a visit to the nursery in 2022. Stay warm, stay healthy, stay safe. Thank you all again for your kind support over the years, through your personal notes, phone conversations, or meeting up with you at sales and symposiums. Spring will be here soon… I can hear it in the songs of the birds.
Karen Perkins
Garden Vision Epimediums
