Sometimes they do have ridiculous deals.
Like they don't even know what they are putting on sale.
Other week I got a vigorous 3-gal hybrid tea rose for 4 bucks.

It's rare for me to go in there though... I always feel a little dirty and ashamed after going to Walmart...

There's one Wal-Mart where I sneak into the garden department to see what they have because the manager is the only one around who'll put things on half price after a month. Supposedly all of them are instructed to but they won't bother. I don't like to go to Wal-Mart really, I feel the same way you do musicman but the garden department is hard to resist sometimes. Suzanne

Hi
I frequently shop WM as I MUST help with groceries and it gives me something to look at lol.
The secret is to dig lol. Eventually you'll find some really great bargains as well as some unusual types but requires a constant vigil. lol
Some that I've gotten there
Black bat plants .7 bucks ,flowering size
Maxilaria orchids 20 bucks but had 25 flowers in hanging basket. Hybrid Phaius orchids in a very unusual red and brown color.
Key lime as well as a pink lemon tree .20 bucks for both. 30 bucks each for the same plants from the same co, at HD. Tree form Hibiscus at over 4 feet for 8.
The trick is to know your plants ignore the labels and NEVER expect any help lol.
Just recently I was actually waited upon while digging through some palms. Okay the truth is he probably thought I was shop lifting. lol I asked him some questions and he quickly disappeared lol But he did get me a price on some stuff without any threats or lugging all the way to the register.
I look it as a "safari" you'll never know what you'll find and better yet I don't have to look at groceries for an hour . gary

I am glad to see someone else likes Walmarts, I was afraid to post this and say I do. But my Walmart is great and I love it. It is clean and the sales help is nice. The garden department always has healthy plants and lots of times I find real deals.
I love the one stop shopping, I get my groceries, potting soil, a plant or two, spackle, and hardware all in one store. I like their Expert potting soil.

I love Walmart! I always find a bargain there. I was in the Port Richey store this a.m. and they had some great new plants in, but my back hurt, so I didn't buy anything.

I know Walmart sells all Made in China stuff, but so does everywhere else. Why? Because nothing is made in the USA! I always bought American until I just couldn't find it anymore. If I do find something made here, I'll pay more for the quality.

As far as Walmart taking over the retail business - a small business with a good product will still be able to sell their stuff. Where do think WalMart gets all their plants from? I see the Florida nursery trucks pulling up there all the time. They must have contracts with these nurseries.

I miss the days of Woolworth, McCrory's, etc., but Walmart had the model for the one stop shopping store and it worked.

Btw, they are putting their extra pesticides and fertilizers on sale.

Julie

My local WM NEVER has any clearance plants. The WM farther away only puts plants that don't survive here on sale. But last week I was out of town for a week and the local WM had some wonderful bargains. Wouldn't you know I couldn't bring them home!!! Sometimes you can't win. However my local Lowe's often has bargains.

I think it has to do with the managers of the store or the garden dept. My HD has some wonderful plants as well. This summer they had dombeyas, they were pricy, but large. I was surprised to see them at any price. That store has a new manager and he is out to prove himself.

I hope that this means the plant selection at our WM will improve. My spouse takes forever in the store and it will be a good way to make time go faster. Here, usually Lowes has much better plants than HD. I do support local nurseries, but it's good to check the box stores while said spouse is taking forever in a store.

I've found quite a few bargains at WalMart. Our Lowe's always has a rack or two of marked down plants. Sometimes you can find something worth rescuing but often it's just a rack of dead plants. HD rarely marks anything down but out of the three stores they have the best selection and the most knowledgeable staff.
~Betsy

I agree each manager sets the price for the sadder looking plants. Even Target clearances their stuff at different paces. I can get something at one store 75% off and another still has it full price!
Don't overlook Smith and Hawkin. All their plants are 50% off (with exceptions)and most of them are still beautiful!And they have organic bone meal and blood meal and others marked down also! Check them out in PBG.

Julie, I have to agree, I will pay extra if I can find reasonable "made in USA" alternatives to imports. (personally, tag sales are best to find good ole USA finds!
Kat