Swans Trail Gardens, one of those special places only plant people seem to know about, will no longer be open to the public for retail sales beginning in July.

Alice Schroder opened the home-based nursery in Snohomish a decade ago. She offers mainly hardy perennials, many unusual. Her business is one of those small, special places well worth a plant lover’s time and dollars.

I talked with her yesterday for a story I’m preparing for Sorticulture, where she’ll have a booth.

She’s tired. Maintaining the business and her own expansive garden is wearing her out. She spends all day everyday growing her rare beauties, many from seed. She plans to focus on growing plants wholesale with a once-in-a-awhile appearance at garden shows and fairs.

Her Web site: http://swanstrailgardens.com/