Wow, I *love* finding unusual stuff at that kind of price. I didn't do as well as that, but got into some trouble of my own down here on the cape. At the Falmouth Mahoneys, I fell for 5 Hydrangea in the City Lights series - Berlin, Vienna, and Paris, I think - for between 5 & 10 bucks each, and 2 Heptacodium (Seven Sons Flower) for half price. The better-looking City Lights were $15, still not a bad price, I hope these pan out for good color and small size.

At RF Morse in Falmouth I picked up 3 large meadow rue (Thalictrum) for about $5 each, and 5 little variegated blue-eyed grass for a buck. I"m not even sure if it's hardy ... They had wonderful, large, heleborous argutifolius that were not on sale, but they were only about 12 or 13 bucks, which I thought was a bargain.

Oh, yeah, I really saved a bundle! Where are these plants going, you may ask. Darned if I know. Sadly, the shopping adventure is not over, it's just beginning. I'll have to cart some big plants up to the swap to make room for these new things.

Nan, both Paris and Vienna have a vivid glow in the dark deep pink/red colors if kept in neutral to slightly alcaline soil. In acidic soils they'll be just dark blue to purple as many others. Given their potentialy small size I think they are good candidates for containers where pH could be kept at any desirable level.
Paris (picture was taken in early July on a sunny day. Now color is much more intense)
{{gwi:253886}}
Berlin has a lighter pink shade than those two and with it I will not bother with container overwintering procedure. It will go in a ground in a fall.

I stopped at Mahoneys today (Chelmsford) and just thought I would report I found no bargains. $24 for a mandevilla at this time of year??? annual packs on sale, woopdy doo..

I am seriously wondering how long the garden center will last there. Their prices seem high to me ($17 for a 1 gallon flowering in-season perennial), but more worrisome (for their long term success) is that they are PACKED with tons of gorgeous flowers. The annual tables look as fresh and full as they do in spring time. Perennials GALORE sitting there looking very handsome and well-cared for but too pricey for takers? What happens to all that stuff if they don't put it on sale?

I've been good this year keeping plant acquisition disorder in check, but I was ready today to break the cycle for a good deal. Not there.

I'll be watching this thread hoping I can find some bargains.

Funny, I too spent almost the whole day visiting all my favorite places looking for sales/bargains.
My scores,
HD (Norwalk): 'My Monet' weigelas x4 in perfect condition fresh from the truck, 1.5G at 10.50 after 25%off (at this price it could be used for mass planting for sure).
HD (Fairfield): viburnum 'Shoshoni', 5G @22.5 after 25% off,
hosta Regal Splendor x2 in immaculate condition, 2G @5.50 after 50% off,
Young's (Wilton): hosta 'Inniswood', 1G @8.00 in decent condition,
Daybreak Nursery (Westport): Ligularia tangutica labeled as Coreopsis Moonbeam(?!) in 2.5G pot for $5 as mislabeled plant. I might regret buying this thug later, but can't resist to have a 'gorgeous bargain',
Geiger's (Westport): nothing interesting there, and noting on sale, but roses.
I decided do not visit Oliver's (Fairfield) because they will not discount anything till late fall and I'm not in a mood to pay their prices, even for the uncommon plants.
So actually I was a good boy today :-))

WendyB exactly my experience last summer at Mahoneys in Chelsmford (formerly Laughtons)! Thanks for saving me a trip. It is sad if they close -- I don't want to see more development there but they have to find a way to get the prices down or have a reason to draw people in.

Sue

There is the possibility that they were waiting for August to officially start serious sales. I'll give them another try next week. Fortunately, I can swing by there at lunchtime easily.

Every nursery I've been to is very well stocked, and most are especially loaded with annuals. It does make one wonder ... and worry.