Thanks for that Eric!
Like you, I did a lot of pre-planning in the early days when the internet was a glint in someones eye.
I have kept all that good work, in a series of lever arch files, and all those little notes and cuttings - IG was born
Nice to look back on!
RE:
However, the sales tables at Alpine shows are often full of rare, unusual oddities and I do tend to buy them if I have never heard of them , just in case.
I would do exactly the same.
In my case its garden shows ands plant sales. If the genus does well in my garden, and I spot a new cultivar on offer, then its hard to resist.
Finding a spot for new plants snapped up like that can be a problem. Ive found myself moving A to a new location so that B can be planted in its spot, and very often the spot where A goes means another plant shift, or a sacrifice of a plant I have tired of.
Thats how my garden has evolved.
A nice reference book, or a garden magazine, or a catalog at bedtime was my way of relaxing.
That hasn't changed, even with the surge of the internet.
As for the internet, finding information on reliable sites is perfect for adding to Ideas Genie.
Copy and paste is a dream!
Competitors?
Hard to tell, and I feel for anyone trying to source something similar.
Some reading between the lines required.