I can have the best, most wonderful, and coolest plants on a drawing. The client may love them and want them. In fact, often when a client is a real plant nerd they will suggest something very cool, so I will work it in the drawing. And then it happens.

The reality of supply and demand in the nursery business smacks me in the head like a handful of black, slimy leaves from a seldom-cleaned gutter: I can only get the cool stuff if they have it at the nursery.

So, I have learned not to get my hopes up. I have learned to temper my lust for coolness with what they have on hand at the supply house.

Then sometimes I get a pleasant surprise. Sometimes the nursery will have something even better than I had spec’d in the drawing. You never know.