In February we talked about ordering plants on-line. We told you about our favorite perennial web sites and offered some tips on selecting an on-line nursery to order from. Time did not permit us to look at all the other sites available. In this month’s issue of Yard Talk we would like to review some of the other web sites we have found to be above average.
For us to consider an on-line source to be above average they must consistently supply plants which are strong vigorous growers as presented on their site. The plants should be healthy, strong, and above average in size. We expect plants to be protected during shipment, while bare root plants are acceptable, potted plants should be the norm. Shipments should be made on time and in the manner specified. All orders should be acknowledge and any back orders brought to our attention promptly.
The following nurseries are ones which have met or exceeded our expectations:
Rose On-Line Nurseries
- Edmunds’ Roses –
- This site is about modern roses with excellent graphics and a wealth of information. An essential place to visit for those of us into new roses.
- Hortico Nurseries –
- If you are looking for roses, look no further. Old Roses, New Roses, you name it and Hortico Nurseries has it.
- Yesterday’s Roses –
- As the name implies this is the site for Old Roses. They specialize in old time tea, damask, etc.
- Nor’East Miniature Roses –
- If you are into miniature roses this site offers a good selection of some of the best.
- Regan Rose’s –
- While not the easiest catalog to browse or order from, its quality and wide variety well make up for this sites short comings. The descriptions are limited, geared more for the experienced grower. All rose varieties are well represented at this site.
- Petaluma Roses –
- Petaluma Rose has a number of fine roses which are not usually offered by many of the other growers. While their selection is somewhat limited the varieties offered are a welcome addition to anyone’s garden. We particularly like their patented Hybrid Teas.
- Spring Valley –
- Spring Valley Roses specializes in winter hardy Old Garden, Climbing and Shrub roses. These roses have to be tough to handle their colder climates. They do their best to grow healthy, large roses. The roses they offer are: winter hardy, own-root plants, disease tolerant, large two-year old plants, and historically significant. They offer roses in the following classes: Centifolia, Climbers, Gallica, Hybrid Rugosa, Shrub and Species. These include many of the newer Shrubs and Hybrid Rugosas developed in Germany and Canada.
- White Rabbit –
- White Rabbit Roses offer a wide selection of Old Garden Roses as well as older Hybrid Teas. We were pleasantly surprised to see that White Rabbit also offers Custom Rooting Services and even a Rose Finding Service for Old Roses, those over 40 years. If Old Roses are your interest by all means check these people out.
Woody Plant Nurseries
- Aesthetic Gardens –
- An excellent site for rare and unusual trees and shrubs. If you are looking for that special, hard to find specimen, this is the place.
- Roslyn Nursery –
- A unique nursery specializing in rare and exotic varieties of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, trees, ground cover and other ornamental plants. A very good source for Japanese Maples and Ferns. Also for those in the warmer zones they offer a selection of Camellias. You can also find information about plant hardiness zones and directions to their nursery.
- Forest Farms Nursery –
- They offer a good selection of ornamental shrubs, trees, grasses, and perennials. They are well known throughout the plant community although they just started offering their catalog on-line.
- Clematis Specialty Nursery –
- They are a small nursery specializing in all types of clematis. They have been in business since 1983 as a retail establishment and started doing mail-order in 1993. Clematis Specialty Nursery is particularly interested in small-flowered species and hybrids that are so easy and rewarding to grow. Their aim is also to introduce new but proven varieties of both small and large-flowered clematis
On-Line Seed Catalogs
- Burpee –
- Serving Home Gardeners since 1876. The on-line spot for the seed gardener, feel free to explore this site as if it were your own garden. Everywhere you turn, we’re sure you’ll find something special to look at.
- Territorial Seed Company –
- Territorial has been serving the seed gardener for over twenty years, offering a wide selection of seeds. We were particularly impressed with its large selection of garlic sets, over ten varieties.
- Franklin Hill Garden –
- Franklin Hill Garden Seeds web site offers enticing selections of annual and perennial flower varieties, natives, exotics, heirlooms, cottage garden favorites, and a few modern hybrids. Franklin Hills goal is to help us rediscover forgotten old favorites as well as find a few new treasures. We are sure you will find their site interesting.
- Wildseed Farms –
- Wildseed Farms offers for sale over 70 species of wildflower seed, and wildflower seed mixes. Their catalog is an invaluable resource for anyone who would like to join the growing community of enthusiasts who support Mother Nature by planting wildflowers. They offer useful information on such diverse subjects as starting a no mow lawn to plants for clay soils.
- Prairie Nursery –
- Prairie Nursery is dedicated to bringing their customers quality plants and seeds, and sharing our knowledge of cultural and landscape uses of native plants. Since 1972 Prairie Nursery has been devoted to improving and rebuilding the environment by encouraging ecological gardening using native plants for soil, water, and habitat conservation. Their mission is to preserve native plants and animals by helping people to create attractive, non-polluting natural landscapes that can support a diversity of wildlife.
- Seeds of Change –
- Seeds of Change is an all organic, 100 % Certified source for over 1500 different varieties of heirloom seeds. The site offers a lot of information for the organic gardener
On-Line Bulb, Corm, Rhizome, and Tuber Companies
- Brent and Beckys Bulbs –
- Brent and Beckys Bulbs are a hybridizers of daffodils . They are third generation bulb growers, trialing many unusual and specialty bulbs on our 10 acre farm and gardens in Gloucester, Virginia.
- Oakes Daylilies –
- For three generations Oakes Daylilies has been in the business of growing and selling daylilies. In that time, they have seen incredible advancement in the diversity, beauty and popularity of the daylily. Whether you have grown daylilies for years or are new to them, Oakes invite you to add some of these wonderful flowers to your garden.
- McClure and Zimmerman –
- McClure Zimmerman offers multitude of quality bulbs, corms, tubers and rootstocks. We have used them in the past and have always found them to be reliable.
- Swan Island Dahlias –
- Swan Island Dahlias are the largest grower of Dahlias in the United States. Their catalog offers a wide range of tubers.
