Watch out Rhode Island here we come!

Yesterday was the day I look forward to for months.  Our first trip of the season to my favorite nursery for unusual annuals, Farmer's Daughter in South Kingstown, RI, followed by lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Matunuck Oyster Bar, had finally arrived!  Plant shopping, great friends and fabulous food...not too many days get much better than this!

Where can you find a whole green house filled entirely with coleus? At Farmer's Daughter of course!  Although I've never counted, they claim to carry over one hundred varieties.  Since coleus are the backbone of many of my container designs, I stock up here but no matter how many I buy it never seems to be enough.

The coleus house is one of many greenhouses all filled to the brim with lovely, well grown plants-many of which I can only find at Farmer's Daughter. What's up with that?  Sometimes I wish it was closer, more often I'm glad it's not.

One greenhouse is devoted entirely to plant based garden decor and gift items-lots of cool stuff.

And oh the succulents! Like everything else, the selection is extensive. All of the greenhouses are decorated with container gardens designed to get the creative juices flowing (and naturally to encourage purchase of the plants).

I was in love with this hanging tapestry of succulents but the price tag was a bit rich for something that won't overwinter outside in my zone.

Blue glazed pottery is a personal favorite.

If annuals aren't your thing there are acres of shrubs, trees, and perennials to peruse.  I don't find the selection of hardy plants to be particularly unusual but I usually come across one or two harder to find perennials.

The hundreds of feet of display borders are a must see. Later in the season when all the tropicals and annuals fill out it's spectacular-truly a plant collector's dream.

Somehow I managed to escape with only two cartloads of plants. In the spirit of full disclosure I did add to the carts after this picture was taken.

Later this week when I get some time I'll post about the food.  For us foodies, Matunuck Oyster Bar just as exciting as the nursery.