Cheating - the garden variety

I'm sure some of you thought I'd given up the bloglife, but alas, not true. Like, without this silly little blog, how would I define myself? Seriously. I'd have to pay attention to the world around me instead of getting lost in manufactured pages of ideal bliss. That's so not for me.

I did spend nearly two months trying to stick to my catalog-restricted diet. My husband had strict instructions that any catalog in the mail was to be trashed immediately. I did not want to see the new spring shoes at Lands End or the Valentine's Day baubles at Red Envelope. I must admit to feeling like a drug addict coming down off a big mail-order high - itchy and shaky - for the first few weeks. But after that, I sucked it up. I did order a few things from QVC, but that doesn't count because they don't have a catalog. (Don't argue with me!)

But then a friend, who has a passion for gardening - one that I share - started nattering on about garden catalogs. The heritage seeds and one-of-a-kind blossoms and getting your order in before spring. She made me itchy. And suddenly I was rummaging through the trash for garden catalogs. Natch, didn't find any, but said friend gave me a few ideas. So here are five catalogs to get your garden groove on.

1. Heronswood. Oh, the hellebores, the dahlias, the starry-eyed navelworts. You get my drift. The catalog specializes in new and unusual plants. All beautiful. My favorite.

2. White Flower Farm. Their new spring perennials include gorgeous bellflower, columbine and dianthus. Plus you can browse their catalog online.

3. Thompson & Morgan. They have a Pink Parasol echinacea that is their "flower of the year." It's lovely. You also get two packs of seeds free with each order.

4. D. Landreth Seed Company. The oldest seed company in America has heirloom vegetable beauties, flowering bulbs and a children's garden collection. Their products have great names, like "Luther's German Red Strawberry Tomato." If you grow your own produce, this catalog is a joy.

5. The Cooks Garden. A great collection of summer, perennial and organic herbs and seeds. Also, garden collections, including baby vegetables, four-season lettuces and French chef's garden ingredients. A fun catalog for the gourmand.