Tips for Buying Plants from Catalogs and Online

During the cold winter months, many gardeners -- myself included -- spend their time perusing garden catalogs and online sites for plants for the next growing season. There are advantages to ordering plants this way. You can find a much larger selection than you might at your local gardening center. Those unusual plants that you may have drooled over in garden magazines can be found in a catalog. In addition, you can actually get some bargains at times. Often catalogs and online stores offer sales of all types; and you can wind up paying less, even with the cost of shipping, paying less for the same plants that you might find in your local garden center. There are some things, however, that you should keep in mind when ordering plants from catalogs or online.

Reputation
Of course, you want to be able to receive quality plants, which means that you want to find a reputable dealer. One of the best ways to glean information is to consult your gardening buddies. Find out what companies they like and would recommend. You can also go online to various gardening groups to seek information about a company. When in doubt, though, look for a company that is well-established. It is a generally safe bet that a company that has been doing business for fifty or even one hundred years has managed to stay in business for so long by providing a quality product. Hint: Collect a number of catalogs so you can compare prices and other purchasing information, including any return policies and guarantees.

Appearance
Most bulbs and plants that you order from catalogs and online are smaller than those you might find at the garden center. This is because they are generally younger than those at your local nursery. This does not mean that the bulbs or plants are not healthy. They are just young. Also, mail-order companies ship plants when they are dormant or when they are just starting to show some new growth. Hint: Some perennials may be shipped in a small pot of potting soil. They may also be shipped in sawdust and placed in a plastic bag. Bulbs may show up in wood shavings and net, while bare-root plants will come wrapped in newspaper or wood shavings sealed in a plastic bag.

Shipping times
Most catalog/online stores ship about twice a year -- in time for spring plantings and again for fall plantings. Their shipping dates are determined by the regional zone in which you live. This means that you will probably not receive your bulbs/plants soon after you place an order. For example, I ordered some tulip and daffodils in August and did not receive them until November, which was an ideal time for planting them in my particular zone. Hint: If your region is experiencing some unusual weather, though, such as an early winter, you can request that your bulbs be shipped a little earlier.

Information
Catalogs and online stores carry a wealth of information about the plants they offer for sale. Take the time to read this information, especially when one of those unusual plants catches your eye. This information supplies you with planting and growing tips. It also will let you know that whether or not the plant is a perennial or annual in your region. A company may exist in the same zone as you; however, that does not necessarily mean that every plant that they offer is hardy to that zone. Hint: Ask the company when placing your order if planting instructions are included.

Some additional hints:
You can find a lot of free catalogs that can be ordered in gardening magazines. I am of the opinion that you can really never have too many catalogs. Also, look for catalogs and/or for online stores in your area. While many, as previously mentioned, will have plants not always hardy in your zone, they are more likely to have a larger of selection of plants for your area than other catalog/online companies might have. You should also check out some of the smaller, more regional companies. Many of these companies specialize in a specific type of plant, such as lilies, and can often surprise you with some quality and unique selections for your garden.