I purchased two sets of Lady strain from Brecks two years ago. Seven of them are blooming this year (of ten). These are seedlings so they have some variability. I think this pic shows a pink and a red--my labels faded over time so I lost track of where I planted each type. I don't think any have been the really blue coloration. With their sale and coupon each one was under $3 each. Brent and Becky bulbs had a seedling mix this year (I don't remember the name)-- 6 for $40 but they are sold out. I was keeping my eye on them to try to get some during their 50% off sale. Two springs ago I purchased lilies and dahlias from B&Bs sale and they were incredibly floriferous the first year. Huge good quality bulbs. Bluestone has some attractive doubles but they are $12-$16 each. I purchased one randoms helleborus from bluestone 3 years ago and it is doing ok. I think it is in a bit of a dry spot. This post was edited by trovesoftrilliums on Sat, May 4, 13 at 10:47

when i suggest dormancy .. that is my attempt to reach for 100% success .... obviously ... it can be done otherwise.. though your odds start to go down as the heat of summer approaches ... who are you getting them from in OH??? send me an email thru my members page ... on some plants .. ID is requisite by the seller ... so they delay .... i mean if you had 10,000 pots of JMap's.. they do all look the same w/o leaves .... lol .. and what trees.. specifically are we talking about.. and are you contemplating full sun???? posting this in the tree forum and only discussing trees is very general.. do you have a specific tree in mind ... because conifers are a included in your general question.. and i know you are working with those .... since conifers are trees .. there is no reason all your learning about conifers.. should not translate directly to trees in general .... there really arent a different set of rules for each.. and in theory.. a vast majority of conifers do come with leaves .... why are you thinking differently about trees ???? if the seller is providing a full warranty ... and the seller wishes to delay .. then it is left to relying on the seller .... at some level ... in our zone 5 .. MOST SPRINGS .. mid may .. though a bit late .. should still give you 6 weeks.. before the real heat of summer ... and you should be able to succeed ... its just that sometimes the heat hits early ... blah.. blah ... and at that point.. if in full sun.. you might want to rig up some shade .... and of course.. there is a big difference between a one foot tree in a one gal ... and a 4 foot tree in one gal ... the bigger the tree.. the bigger the stresses.. and the worse the odds get ... heck a one footer can go in a rose cone [or a cardboard box open at the top all summer .. to provide shade] .. and you cant fail ... so your generalized question is leading to frustration because i am not sure what you want to know ... just understand that thru shipping.. planting.. perhaps root surgery .. that the impaired root system MUST be able to provide the requisite water to maintain the leaves on the tree.. and if.. for whatever reason.. the delay in the root system ability to provide the water.. to hold the leaves.. fails.. then the leaves will fail ... though many plants.. but for the transplant .... can releaf .... it would be no different.. but for the transplant.. than if a hard frost or freeze .. hit a tree after leaf out.. and damaged all the leaves ... ken

I just got a flyer from one of my fave places in WI...Woodstock Nursery. They are really friendly and deliver to MN no problem usually. They have some great deals on blueberries right now! -Marie Here is a link that might be useful: Woodstock Nursery

I'll second mango_kush, I have a Grumichama, and its very ornamental. I haven't tried the fruit yet, mango_kush how many years do they take to fruit? I have tried the Jaboticaba, also have 2 small plants, they are slow growers, but recently they are taking off, Cool tree, the person I got my small tree from has one thats about 20 years old, and its only about 12ft. He told me, that the tree will flower, and grow fruits all within a months time. or as he would say "it does all it needs to do, in a month ". resembled a grape in taste. the single fruit I tasted was the last one on the tree. I didn't care much for the Abiu. Pine Island Nursery has all three of those trees. you may want to contact California Rare fruit growers here is the San Diago chapter website : http://www.crfgsandiego.org/ I am sure they would know of reliable local nurseries or maybe a member that has some.