I have about 50 Stark & 12 ACN trees in the ground ranging 2 to 5 years, they are all alive, fruiting and growing. Any issues that I have are self-imposed. In addition, I bought 6 hardy figs 2 years ago and complained that they didn't come out of dormancy. They were replaced without question. Problem is, I didn't know figs or the concept of "die-back". I believe I pulled trees prematurely and should have waited before complaining... I completed thinning my orchard today and wish I knew back then what I "think" I know now... I have been reading this forum, watching youtubes, joined clubs, bought Kindle scripts, etc... for 5 years and have read many books. I still have very little expertise that I could pass on... Fruit growing is "hard" and I'm no "dumb bunny".

I've had good experience ordering hummingbird plants from Plant Delights although I buy salvias from Colonial Creek Farm. I'm basically in the same geographic zone as you. The small salvias I planted in spring grew robust, three feet tall and three feet wide. I'm trying to have them stay in the ground this winter hoping they will survive under mulch, sheltered by a fence. I do not have unheated space to overwinter. If they don't survive the winter I will try grow lights next year. I sure hope we don't have a harsh winter.

So sorry to hear about your misfortune, Jenny. There is actually a much longer thread about this site. It is disreputable and most likely illegal in every sense: either a phishing scam, CC skimmer, or identity theft site. I don't want to sound alarmist, but I would seriously consider having your bank disable the card you used and issue another one for the account with a new number, and the same for a CC if you used credit rather than debit. Tell your bank or credit card company that you fear your card has been compromised. Reference this thread and the one I'll give a link for below. If you have any automatic payments set up with that card, you'll have to go to each account and change your debit/CC info before your next payment is due. Also don't forget to change the number on any site where you store your payment info for quick checkout, like Amazon, etc. Again, so sorry. Best of luck. antiqueroses.com scam site John

I ordered from Violet Barn in the winter once a few years ago (I got a gift certificate for them for my winter birthday and couldn't wait to use it!). The plants were totally fine even though they spent some time on my porch in a Wisconsin winter before I got to them. I have ordered a number of other tender plants during winter and have never had any issues - though I am careful to only order from established sellers who are experienced at shipping plants during the winter. I usually don't order when it is bitterly cold (I wouldn't order plants when the temperatures are much lower than freezing, because apparently heat packs don't work in such low temps), but someone who knows what they're doing can usually get the plants to you safely even if you live in a very cold region like I do. If you are willing to pay for the Express shipping and it's not bitterly cold where you are, I think you will be fine ordering from Violet Barn in winter. Back when I ordered, they sent the plants in an insulated container.