Well, it's true that shiping makes the plants more expensive than advertised, but keep in mind the law is that if you purchase from a different state then they don't have to charge sales tax. If they do then look for another vendor. They're ignorant and pass the cost of that ignorance to you. Or they are so genourous with YOUR MONEY that they send it to the state comptroller on a volunteer basis. I frankly prefer online vendors. That way I can find things that the local nursery doesn't carry and get exacly what I want. Also, the internet is a big marketplace that encourages competition. If someone across town has something it will cost me 3 bucks a gallon for gas just to get there so I generally order online. Of course, some people will hose you. I ordered a Hibiscus Syriacus from wayside gardens and thought it was way, way overpriced for what I got, 30 bucks for a puny cutting that won't flower this year. They keep sending me emails advertising how they have plant such and such for 150% the price tht the local hardware store sells it for as if I am supposed to leap at the opporunity. So I won't buy from them again. I bought some pretty lousy plants from autumn ridge nursery (but that's ok becuase the prices were excellent and I didn't expect too much) And I have had great experiences too. Smallplants.com and Pendulousplants.com have treated me very well thus far. I WILL NEVER BUY FROM WAYSIDE GARDENS AGAIN. Autumn ridge is a big maybe. Small plants and pendulous plants are good. There is also a tropical plants place in florida but the website will not let me post the name because apparently they spammed this board. But this place was good too........

Agreed with 90% of the vendors recommended above, most carry from good to great plants. I've ordered from 21 vendors within the last 2 1/2 years, and IMHO, despite how reputable these vendors are, you'll find out there are times you won't be happy with what was sent, either it's a wrong plant or plants with bugs, broken pbs due to poor packing, etc... In short, what sets these vendors apart is their Customer Service/Relations. You pay a good price for your plants, you should be treated fairly, you shouldn't have to feel intimidated when you need to present a complaint. It's not a bad idea to search for input/feedback in this forum, and others, before ordering your plants. In MY experience, here are *some vendors* not only provide good quality plants but also provide excellent to good customer service (not in any order): Kawamoto Orchids - very understanding, prompt replies - not only send you free plant with each purchase, they even send me a free plant with resent plants. New World Orchids - fantastic service and prompt replies. EOoM - good service/prompt replies. Tropical Orchid Farms - good service/prompt replies Hoosiers - good service/prompt replies. Orchidaceae - good service/prompt replies Carmela's - good service. CalOrchids - good service/prompt replies. Santa Barbara Orchid Estates - good service/prompt replies. Olympic Orchids - good service/prompt replies

I recommend Brian's Botanicals and NS Exotics. They also sell on eBay. Great growers--great quality plants. http://www.briansbotanicals.net http://www.nsexotics.com

I'll be glad to make some recommendations, but first, two points (which you may already be aware of): (1) Availability. Many online vendors of live plants are now either completely sold out for the season, sold out of the popular varieties, and/or only have mid to late May still open as ship dates. (2) Cost per plant. Many vendors have minimum order requirements. Even those that don't, almost always have some sort of minimum charge that makes it awfully expensive (on a per plant basis) just to order one plant, or even a partial box. Why? Because it's expensive for them to ship partial boxes in terms of their time and packaging. Having said all that, it looks like Seed Savers Exchange does still have BW Sudduth available for a April 24-26 ship date. Note that the deadline for ordering from that "window" is April 15. Also note that the shipping rate for a box of six plants is $12 (this is actually quite reasonable). So, if you order just one plant from them, it will cost you $14.50 ($12 plus the $2.50 for the one plant). shipping policy So, I would strongly suggest you order a box of six and try to split the order with someone. And it might be a good idea to order at least two Brandywines -- shipping can be tough on the plants even when they are well-packed. Also note that you can mix tomatoes, peppers, and ground cherry, but not prairie plants. I ordered a box of peppers and ground cherries from them this year and was well pleased. Keep in mind that even when you get hardened off plants in the mail, they will have to be partially re-hardened off (especially in a southern climate). Selected Plants might be another option if he still has plants available (you'd have to e-mail or call him to find out). I've also ordered plants from him before, and he does a good job. Hope that helped. Here is a link that might be useful: here's some more possible online sources