Most people want my problem, I need ideas

I'm a beginner gardener. I live in zone 8b in the pacific n.w. I love flowers and plants that flower. My son is giving me until 8:00 pm Tuesday (my birthday) to order what I want up to $200.00. My only real hobby is gardening so I'm thinking along those lines, but I know it's getting a little late in the season. I like perennials. Does anyone know of some good dependable nurseries? How about some pretty late blooming plants or flowers. I have roses, phlox, verbena, bee balm, hydranga, and dianthus. That should give a little idea of my tastes.

I don't understand why your son has put you on such a short leash to make your selections. It makes more sense to develop a plan, think about and research plant choices and then make your purchases. I would think cash or a gift card would be more appropriate. There are numerous on-line nurseries, and unless you live in a remote area, nursery stores that you can vist, although the selection is usually better in the spring AND you can see what the plant really looks like rather than having the make hurried choices from catalog photos.

Actually in your area, fall is probably the best time of the year to plant things rather than spring. I would see if your son could be a little more reasonable about the time--some of the online nurseries aren't even shipping right now because it's the middle of summer (although some of them will take your order and then ship it in September or so), and local nurseries probably still have a decent selection of things but now's not a good time to be planting them, planting is stressful anyway and when you do it in the heat of summer it decreases the chances that the plant will make it. Or could you use the money to buy yourself a gift card, either for an online place or a local nursery, then you can spend the money after you've had time to figure out what plants you want.

If you're interested in online nurseries, some of my favorites are Bluestone Perennials, Forest Farm, Joy Creek, Lazy S's Farm, and Cistus. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few good ones, but those should get you started.

Hi Vicki,

As ecrane conveyed, I was also going to suggest buying a gift card from a nursery. Check the Garden Watchdog for a list of highly rated nurseries. http://davesgarden.com/gwd/ I also like Bluestone Perennials. They have a fairly large selection, reasonable prices and excellent customer service; however, their plants tend to be on the small side.

Happy Birthday! And have fun shopping.

Sharon

The nice thing about Bluestone is that you usually get a 3-pack of plants for about the price you'll pay for one 4-6" pot size plant from another online nursery. The plants are a bit smaller, but they arrive in good shape and grow fast, so I always feel like I get more for my money from them. I know they're not shipping right now, I'm not sure if their catalog is up yet for you to place orders for fall shipping or not.

High Country Gardens is another one of my favorites, but a lot of their plants may not enjoy the amount of rain you get in the PNW.

Here is the link to Bluestone's online catalog. http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/index.html
It appears that they are taking orders now for fall. They also sell gift certificates, which you might want to consider. This way you can wait until next spring to order if you prefer planting then.

Sharon

Hi Vicki, very happy birthday when it comes, wish I had a son like yours, well actually I do, everything has to be done instantly, he he he, well mine was premature at birth, so I guess he has always been in a hurry. I agree that the time is wrong for planting and you could loose everything, plus if you buy perennials, then you have missed the flowering season unless you want to buy plants that are already in flower and at their most vulnerable to put from pot to garden, so ask for a garden gift voucher, this will allow you time to prepare the soil, get all the manure/compost into the area before the plants arrive, then late season, or very early spring, you get your plants, for perennials, buy 3-5-7 of the same type to give you a good show, and plant in groups for support and comanion gardening, dont order one of this or that unless it is shrubs/trees, you then have the rest of spring/summer to care for easier and look forward to the wonderfull gift of a garden bed from your son, get some books from librery/book store so you can plan the bed of your dreams. good luck, have a wonderful family day and tell your son, ladies, like gardens, are not to be rushed. Weenel.

Hi Vicki,

Shorty's nursery here in town is really pretty darned good. I've seen perennials there that some folks struggle to find online. They are spendy, though. But, there are so many other good nurseries around here! If you want to send me a dmail I'll give my (opinionated) impressions of some of the other local nurseries.

Ecrane is right about HCG, but we do have to be careful about their super drought tolerant xeriscape plants that need really good drainage. Most of them aren't too fond of our heavy clay soils.

I'm less than super-impressed with Bluestone. Their plants are small and they're all the way back in Ohio. You might look at Big Dipper Farm-they're near Black Diamond and Mt Rainier if you want to mail-order.

This message was edited Aug 2, 2007 10:58 PM

susybell, Does Big Dipper Farm have mail order?

Yes, they do, I've ordered stuff from them a few times.

Have any of you ordered from Raintree Nursery? I heard they are good. They are also in Washington, Morton maybe?.

I visited them once, years ago. They had interesting plants but I never ended up buying anything from them.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I actually decided a nice patio swing, so I could sit and look at all my flowers and plants would be less stressful to think about.

Great idea, Vicki! I'd love a patio swing, but it's something I wouldn't go out and purchase with my own money, but if someone gave me the money.... You've got a great gift to remember your son with. Keep on swinging, girl.

Sharon