I've never used bare root plants but plugs are economical and air-pruned plugs establish quickly. Many places sell plugs. One company that I've had success ordering from is ionexchange. I would recommend trying seeds as well, especially for plants that have large taproots or otherwise don't transplant well.

What are you specifically looking to plant? Specific plants, like echinacea, I would probably get from Richters in Canada. They sell plug trays (120 per tray) economically and the small plants grow well - personal experience. For others, I might go with potted plants or bareroots depending upon the plant. I might also go with seeds too depending upon the plant. What are you looking to grow?

I've got native bareroots from Prairie Moon Nursery with good success and potted natives from Forest Farm with good success as well. But being on the east coast like myself, the shipping from Forest Farm on the west coast is a killer. I know of a couple of native plants places here in Western NY State but there has to be some closer to you than that.

FataMorgana

Ferns, Virginia Creeper, Iris, Turtleheads, to name a few.

Virginia Creeper, really? Ok. I would suggest finding someone who has it, doesn't want it, and getting it from them. Just as common as the plant is should be finding someone who doesn't want it. It is a very common and extremely hardy plant. It also seems to sprout from any little bit of root. I made the mistake when digging out the compost bins last spring of getting some virginia creeper root in it. After the compost was rototilled into the vegetable bed, I spent the rest of the summer pulling young virginia creeper from the veggie beds. If you can't find it elsewhere, you can try Musser Forests. They are in PA and I've had great success with the things I've ordered from them.

Many nursery places carry bare-root ferns - even if they specialize in trees or ornamental garden plants there are always a few ferns available too. If you know what you want, check them first and see if they have it. They will be the cheapest source. If you are looking for something more uncommon (nursery-wise) then check the more specialty places. Much the same can be said for iris too.

Here are the native plants nurseries that are here in central & western NY state:

Plantsmen Nursery
White Oak Nursery
Amanda's Garden

I've gotten plants from all three and have good things to say.

FataMorgana

My reccollection is PA is a good state for nurseries. You might have a good one within a reasonable distance from you. Otherwise, shipping is the way to go.

Ernst Conservation Seeds in PA has some as well as seed in bulk. http://www.ernstseed.com/

I have gotten great stuff previously from Wildlife Nurseries, Inc., P.O. Box 2724, Oshkosh, WI 54903 Tel: 920/231-3780 Fax: 920/231-3554. I don't think they have a website but they are a pleasure to deal with on the phone. Their wetland selection is particularly good and diverse compared to most.

I previously got bareroot shrubs and trees in great condition from Musser Forests. They have since added various perrennials, etc. http://www.musserforests.com/browse.asp?m=3&p=800

Sometimes soil and water conservation districts and sometimes native plant societies also sell bare root natives.

FataMorgana, thanks for the Amanda's Garden link. Seems like a great place, nice website especially since they write about what plants work well together. They seem to be the winner so far.

bob64, we do have some great nurseries, but as I am looking to plant 200 - 300 native perrennials and 30 - 40 shrubs . . . I need to do this in a cost effevtive matter.

I know Prairie Moon Nursery sells Turtlehead/Chelone glabra as a bare root, plus many others. They have a bulk discount, so the more you buy, the less you pay per plant.

Here is a link that might be useful: Prarie Moon Nursery: Bare Root Plants

Viola Valley has some too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Viola Valley

I recently placed an order at Viola Valley for bareroot plants. I'll come back with a report, once I've received the order.

Other than a confirmation email from Paypal for payment sent, I've received no correspondence from Viola Valley. I don't know if this is normal but thought I'd wait a few days before attempting to contact them.

Mary

I travel to Pa monthly and get most of my plants in East Earl,Pa a small Nursery called Spring Grove.He is a menonite guy and sells hugh plants at VERY reasonable prices.If you are buying quantity I think he would do even better.Never lost a plant from him and I buy quite a few.
His phone is 717-445-4186

Gamekeeper; does he just do Natives? or a bit of everything?

If you time it right, you can hit your local nursery as they get in spring bareroot plants for potting. Call and find out when they get their shipments in. Often they will sell them right out of the box. I know this because I just spent 3 weeks at my local nursery at my spring job, potting over 2000 bare root perennials, wildflowers and also plugs. And of course, bought a bunch myself! You might also ask the nursery to order plants for you when theiy place their own orders.

As a winter hobby I have put together a long PDF list, 7 pages plus, of northeast North American native plant material suppliers. Many of these companies supply plants by bareroot and trays at a very reasonable cost. If anyone wants this list let me know at aihrer@gmail.com and I'll forward it along.

(I don't make any money on this; it's a fun thing to do on the long cold winter nights. This is public service from a native plant lover, not a spam-scam. Please note I run a virus, spyware, malware free computer.)
Allan