| Author |
Message |
    
patmich
Citizen
Username: Patmich
Post Number: 58
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 11:53 am: | 
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Anyone have a recommendation for a website to purchase quality perennials from? |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5502
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 11:58 am: |
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White Flower Farm in CT or you can wait a couple of weekends for the Maplewood Garden Club sale. |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 410
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 12:01 pm: |
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Wayside Gardens
http://www.waysidegardens.com
I love the warranty that they offer.
I tried White Flower Farm, but ironically, when ordering white flowers (I have an all white garden) when the flowers bloomed, they were BRIGHT pink. That wasn't too conspicuous!
I found Wayside to be very good about stuff like that. I haven't had a dud yet.
Also, Parker Gardens has just started on-line shopping (its right in Scotch Plains - not too far).
http://www.parkergardens.com/
Good luck
m |
jbirchby
Citizen
Username: Jbirchby
Post Number: 71
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 2:32 pm: |
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I use http://springhillnursery.com all the time. They have a lifetime guarantee. When I called up to say a few of their plants didn't make it they sent replacements out immediately, no questions asked, they didn't even want proof that the plants had died.
This from their website: "Spring Hill's Lifetime Guarantee No-Risk Gardening for You. We guarantee all of our plants to be true to name and to reach you in perfect and healthy condition. If, for any reason, you aren't pleased with any plant upon receipt, after planting or once it grows, just contact Spring Hill anytime--no time limit--for as long as you garden. No need to return any plant. We will refund every cent you paid for that plant or send a replacement without charge--whichever you prefer." |
Bill232
Citizen
Username: Bill232
Post Number: 163
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 3:05 pm: |
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I prefer not to buy my perennials on websites unless its a rare type that is not available in local garden centers. They tend to be younger and smaller taking longer to mature and develope. Plus when you buy from local garden centers you see what you are paying for. Not to mention any questions you might have can be easily answered by the staff. A greeeaat!!!!! garden center that is worth the trip for quality and price is Derrings Garden Center in Succasunna about a 1/2 mile off of the Ledgewood Circle on Route 10. They usually have full ad on Thursdays in the Star Ledger. |
Walt21012
Citizen
Username: Walt21012
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 5:53 pm: |
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I agree with Bill. By the time you pay for shipping, it's very expensive to buy some fairly small plants. (If you have to have a certain rare variety, mailorder is your best source. www.forestfarms.com is great!)
However, the local nurseries have great selections these days, and the plants are big and healthy. Check out the book "The Adventurous Gardener: Where to Buy the Best Plants in New York and New Jersey" by Ruah Donnelly, available on amazon or elsewhere. We love the The Farm At Green Village, 403 Green Village Road, Green Village, NJ 07935, Telephone: 973-377-8703. This is located near Madison, by taking 24 west to 124 west. They have a great selection, albeit a little pricey.
Good luck!
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11275
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 4:09 am: |
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I have made the trip to Derrings a few times and found it worth the half hour or so drive. Big selection and large plants that always did well for me, even though I have a black thumb. If you go on Saturday, get there early. The place gets packed later and parking is limited.
From MW take 24 west to 287 north to 10 west. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 880
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 9:24 pm: |
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Excellent plant quality from www.bluestoneperennials.com.
I've also ordered from Wayside (hit or miss quality, but they guarantee their plants), WhiteFlowerFarms (great plants very expensive) and Park Seed Catalog (personally not pleased).
IMO, smaller plants planted in properly prepared soil will be healthier and look better in 3 years than a larger plant b/c the roots slowly spread out where they will remain and aren't in a tight ball. I've dug up dead shrubs whose root balls never spread out after years of being planted. My perennial garden is gorgeous and the years fly by. Be sure to leave enough room for a mature plant so you don't wind up with a crowded garden; healthy plants need room for air to circulate.
Another advantate to smaller plants is there is much less initial investment so if you change your mind and want to replace something a couple years later it's no big deal.
Have fun!
PS. Most perennials do best when planted in the Fall. |
Maplewoody
Citizen
Username: Maplewoody
Post Number: 1164
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 8:36 pm: |
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Every year there's a 40% off sale on EVERYTHING at Metropolitan Plant Exchange
in West Orange (the WEEK of July 4th). I recommend going there for ALL your gardening supplies,
fertilizer, seed, and plants. Buy whatever you are going to need for the following year that week!
They bring plants in by the truckload to replenish the store's stock. It's a great time to get your perennials at such bargain prices!
I also like the Great Swamp nursery in Basking Ridge, Strawberry's in Wayne,
Parker Nursery's in Scotch Plains, and Orange Garden & Supply in West Orange
if you can't wait til the July 4th sale at Metropolitan!
I know you asked for online places,
I find you get EXACTLY what you want if you buy it LIVE in person, not online. |
calypso
Citizen
Username: Calypso
Post Number: 16
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 9:01 pm: |
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I'll put in another vote for Bluestone Perennials, or Heronswood if you want something really rare. Around here, try Williams Nursery on the way to Westfield--they have wonderful plants, and the salespeople are all very knowledgeable. |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Momof4peepers
Post Number: 65
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 8:38 am: |
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You can also try burpee.com They have some varieties that they sell/grow as plants (they're predominantly a seed seller). I was pretty happy with the plants we got from them. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7360
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 9:16 am: |
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Maplewoody's garden is amazing. His advice is something to consider. We also find Metropolitan's plants to be reliable. |
namaste
Citizen
Username: Namaste
Post Number: 18
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 11:12 am: |
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If you're going online to look for less common varieties, another one to try is Crownsville Nursery. They send one black-and-white catalog a year, not the many nearly identical glossy ones that Wayside sends. (Whiteflower used to do the same, but they've just announced their intention to cut down to one catalog a season.) For unfamiliar plants, you can look at the shiny pictures in your Wayside catalog, or go to www.crownsvillenursery.com where they have a good nuts-and-bolts, easy-to-navigate website. Their prices as well as their printing policies are better than Wayside's (they offer good specials, too), and they also will replace disappointing plants. Their packing materials are sturdy and recyclable, and they ship from Virginia, so plants aren't traveling too far.
I've had mixed experience with Bluestone. They are fabulous about replacing plants, but I've had to ask for too many replacements over the years because of the undersized and weak plants they've sent me.
And for all I've said about Wayside, they do sometimes have a rather unusual plant I can't seem to find elsewhere (last year it was buddleja alternifolia and abeliophyllum), and their service is as good as their prices are high and marketing slick. |
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