If you live in South Central Wisconsin, K & W Greenery in Janesville is where we buy most of our garden stock that I don't (try to) grow from seed. At least, the big stock. We've tried buying from one of the "box" stores - but it seems like they are always smaller and die, when the stock from K & W is excellent. They are a little more pricey, but well worth it for us. If not, I agree with a poster above - go for the local grower. It always seems like they care more for the plants. We have a Pee Gee Hydrangea tree in our frontyard that we bought two years ago, and it has been truly lovely. We haven't found one for the front of the house that we are satisfied with as of yet... Good luck! Kris

I highly recommend Venero Gardens. See my post of a couple of weeks ago with lots of photos. You need to call ahead, but they seem to always be there. Check their website. Idiothe has invited you to visit his gardens in Plymouth. They are great, and you will find a gracious couple with tons of hosta information and lore. Hideko Gowen's garden at highways 7 and 41 just west of Excelsior is a delight. I've gotten lots of great plants at Kelley & Kelley in Long Lake just a couple miles off Highway 12. Almost everything is growing in the ground and will be dug for you.

Thanks Jen. I think I'll go by way of Madison and stop at the Flower Factory too. I've been to Boerner many times and enjoy all of their collections. smorz4, I have been to Al's. His place is really special. Most of his hostas are older varieties, but they are big and well grown. The hillside location really sets them off and it is so unexpected a find amid the farm fields and encroaching subdivisions. Mark

I thought I should post this message, from Steve at Foxfire, that was on the Hosta Forum. They are going out of the hosta business. There is a sale this week and a special sell off on Sat the 29th. I think the message below describes everything. WOW! It seems I am deluged with emails and phone calls. Let me first thank all of you who have sent good wishes our way. It is truly appreciated and totally unsuspected. Both Linda and I thank you. There have been many common questions so let me try to answer them for the benefit of all. If you have sent a previous email and this does not answer your questions, please send me a new on and I will try to answer. 1) The Foxfire line of hostas will live on through the wonderful initiative and cooperation of Bill Silvers in Conyers, Georgia. He has many in tc as we speak and more in the pipeline so the plants will become available in the future. Palm Sunday is looking good in TC as is Night Skye. There are a few more that will be new to you also. Foxfire Green Lantern, Foxfire Irish Moon, Foxfire Night Skye, Foxfire Off Limits, Foxfire Sidewinder, Foxfire Shadow Dancer will be available as liners in June 2010 with more to follow. Palm Sunday may be a little later. 2) I cannot mail order at this time and do not think I will be able to in the near future, but I will keep all of your addresses available and notify you in the future as plants you may be interested in become available. Who knows exactly what will happen in the future so we will just have to find out together. 3) Concerning availability of hostas for sale prior to Saturday: I extended an offer the past week to hosta groups and wholesalers of buying any ten or more hostas for $10 per plant. It has been well received and I extend that now to any of you who might want to come before Saturday due to scheduling problems. I feel in fairness to all there not be early sales at the $5 price. That way everyone has the same opportunity come Saturday at the lower price. You may certainly come earlier in the week and look things over, but the gate will open Saturday at 8:00am sharp. We will have additional help so check out will not be long or complicated (we hope). It should be rather fast and easy math and we will designate an area beyond checkout where you can bag your plants at your leisure for transport home. 4) For the big plants in the grower area, breeder area, and display area it is a bit more complicated. I think a minimum price of $3 per plant for the first 1-3 eyes and then $1 per additional eye up to a maximum of $25 would be fair. You will have to dig and cut off leaves (I will have some extra knives) but I will assist with pricing for easy checkout. 5) Hostas will not be sold that are in the Garden proper--only the ones down in the retail area. I will 'rope' off any 'no dig' zones (Wally's Garden) with yellow caution tape. There! I hope that answers most of your questions. My emails keep coming in as I write. Thank you my friends for your kind words. Sincerely, Steve