perhaps ask in the hosta forum ... presuming thats the empress wu your talking about ....

ken

I've never seen free shipping in 40 years of ordering from quality nurseries.

And that's because transit charges have gone through the roof. I work with one of those nurseries and I hear what she has to say all the time. Shipping charges can't be absorbed...well not unless they raise the price of plants through the roof.

Ideally, shop locally and pick up your plants yourself. I know it's not an option for everything or everyone. But it's the best advise I can give.

I've made several 100 mile trips to get things I can't get locally over the last year. I usually combine a trip with meeting with old friends (who also shop there) or some other interest. It's not so bad.

Sue, complaining about shipping costs has been as much a part of garden catalog shopping as selecting the plants or seeds in the first place.

Shop wisely, buy from highly recommended nurseries, and consider that the shipping fees are part of doing business.

Hear hear Campanula (on nursery PLANT prices)

If you do come across free shipping, be very aware that you are unlikely to be buying from a nursery - more likely an Amazon warehouse type venture which may sell cheap plants, often surplus stock from plant nurseries, while keeping a huge database and inventory but having nothing to do with the propagation and maintenance of plants - Gardens Direct, Garden Express and suchlike).

Basically, when dealing with a commercial enterprise, be aware that actually, nothing is ever free. You pay, one way or another, either upfront, hidden in the plant prices, or in less developed plants. Occasionally, some nurseries do it as a loss leader, but that means they make enough otherwise to do that, and/or they have surplus stock they want rid of before they have to write it off.

This is not meant as a dig at nurseries btw - I'm aware it's often a labour of love and many run on incredibly narrow margins.

It pays to watch the specials from the nurseries you want to order from. I know Annies Annuals and Perennials has had free shipping periods, often during February and fall, to CA, OR & WA. But you do have to order 8 plants--one just would not be cost effective for the nurseries.

It is better if you can get together with others in your area to do a group order.