About all those Catalogs

If you haven't already, you'll soon have your mailbox stuffed with catalogs for the coming season. For the most part, stock
from catalogs is a safe bet. However, there are a couple of things to watch for:

• How much does that plant really cost?  Mary Ann, at Pine Ridge Gardens, has beautiful stock and specializes in plants native to Arkansas.  However, her flat shipping rate is $8.00 plus $1.00 for every plant.  Say you ordered 10 plants; shipping will be $18.00.  Divide that by 10 and your shipping cost is $1.80 per plant.  Add this to the cost of your plant and you have the actual cost.  Sheila Gilstrap and I got around this by driving down there - a delightful afternoon!  Call first, as she must open a gate.  PineRidgeGardens, 832 Sycamore Road, PO Box 200, London, AR72847, 479-293-4359.
• If a company says it fully guarantees their plants, read the fine print.  To get satisfaction from The House of Wesley, you have to reinvent the wheel.  The old saying is so true:  if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.  Several times I have had to ask for replacement plants from Spring Hill - never a problem.  The response is courteous with no questions asked.  Spring Hill Nurseries, PO Box 330, Harrison, OH 45030, 513-354-1509, www.springhillnursery.com .
• In 12 years, I have never had a bad bulb from Breck's.  They have always arrived very firm with clear, concise     planting directions.  Breck's, 513-354-1511, www.brecks.com .  I've also had good luck with WaysideGardens, 800-845-1124, www.waysidegardens.com .  When shopping for roses, I rely heavily on my experiences with Heirloom Roses - all good.  They do a superb job of shipping.  Heirloom Roses, 503-538-1576, www.heirloomroses.com .

We all seem to have a favorite catalog.  My personal choice is Plant Delights Nursery, 9241 Sauls Road, Raleigh, NC, 27603,919-772-4794, www.plantdelights.com .  Their cover is always good for a hearty laugh.  This is a very good catalog for finding many varieties of hostas.  They are a bit pricey, but have never disappointed me.  Their quality is first-rate.

There are many more catalogs, particularly specialty ones.  I have just touched on a few.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact me by email.