I couldn't resist. I am a state tax policy geek. Questions about the nonsensical nature of Internal Revenue Code aside, no federal tax applies because there has been payment for the good. Sales tax is typically collected and remitted by the seller in those states that impose a sales tax. Currently, because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision by the name of Quill, states cannot compel a seller to collect sales tax unless the seller has a physical presence in the state (nexus). Many businesses use this to avoid tax...and while the customer benefits in the short term, states lose out long term including local businesses who can't fairly compete. Most states have a complimentary use tax, meaning state residents are supposed to pay use tax if no sales tax was paid (with a credit for other state sales taxes paid). As a practical matter, states generally only collect use tax from businesses in an audit situation. Personal purchases are too hard and expensive to pursue from an administrative perspective. That said, we states do appreciate those who voluntarily submit use tax in compliance with state law:-).

I agree with the Crimson Bouquet. It's the best small sized rose bush in my garden too. I'm surprised not more people grow her. Thanks for this review and others comments as well, because I had no idea of all the places to get good roses. I should relay my experience too with the few I have ordered from. Heirloom: good healthy plants but only two have bloomed in their first year. I am assuming that's normally the case with new roses and for own root. I bought two Earth Angels and both are sending blind shoots. Red Minimo bloomed like crazy. Blue For You bloomed like crazy. Abraham Darby is too new to say. I personally like Heirloom but it is very expensive I must say. All their roses have sent basals from the roots so I am happy. J&P: I recieved one band of Ballerina that hasn't bloomed and I don't expect it to till a few years but is doing great! I got two bareroot roses that are doing fine as well. One is Heirloom which was free and is doing exceptionally well and Spice it Up which is taking a little long to establish. I will say I have some pest eating the buds before they can form properly and that may have been the problem with the two EAs as well not blooming yet. High Country Roses: I got a Paul Neyron where the top growth looked amazing and there was an ok amount of root mass. It didn't fall apart when I transplanted it so I am waiting to see how it does. Rogue Valley Roses: I got three bands from them and while the root mass on all of them was massive the stems look a very sickly yellow and one stem on one plant of the two is maroon with some white stuff on it. Still waiting for them to look better. They are starting some signs of new growth as the bud eyes are starting to swell. Hopefully they will be ok. I got a Dakota Redwing, Yves Piaget, and Bouquet Parfait. I needed a couple shade tolerant roses. Yves is the only one going in a pot in the front. That's only if it starts growing more before the fall cutoff planting time too. I need to try Palatine this fall if they get the roses I want back in stock. Also K&m sounds good too. I did preorder from David Austin for next year and it was my first time. I hope it won't be a disappointment. The only thing that is a bit confusing to me personally is the nurseries that just have a list of roses with no real way to know which are currently in stock. There is no online cart. How do you order? Call or email? Sorry nooby here!

Spruce...thanks for the idea about asking where a nursery gets their seed. I am surprised that they don't mind telling you. I will keep that in mind. Forest Farm is a catalog I have but I haven't ordered from them before. Thanks for the recommendation, ken...thanks for the gee tree farm idea and arrowhead alpines, girard nurseries, and for pointing me toward the ACS. jaro...Iseli, has some nice photos on their site...thanks for their ME distributor. Once in awhile I get up to Maine. You never know. tsugajunkie...yes, I do understand that white pine is native to Maine and Tsuga canadensis is native to the East Coast. I got the impression that some of the ornamental conifers are bothered by cold weather and frost. Adrian Bloom mentions in his book, not planting some varieties in an East facing location because in the spring, the early morning son would thaw them out just in time for the cold to get them later. mrgpag...Broken Arrow Nursery is a great idea! I have been there once before and they really impressed me with the quality of their plant material at reasonable prices. That was awhile ago and I wasn't looking for conifers then, so I didn't notice whether they had a collection or not. Thanks a lot! Thank you all for the help.. :-) pm2

I haven't bought live plants from catalog retailers yet, but I think I will be using their services in the near future. So, I appreciate this topic being discussed. We try to buy local - don't buy but a couple of flats of bedding plants and some landscape products now and then. We have real nice products available from the nurserys in the valley, and we like to support the local businesses if we can. We are an hour plus, and a zone north, of any big box stores - these are a couple of the reasons we shop in town. Must say that High Country Gardens sure puts out a nice catalog - have spent so much time getting ideas together from that source. Everything I hear about the quality of the plants they send out sounds top-notch. Bonnie's point about her efforts to buy-local by asking area retailers to get her what she needs is helpful. It is a good idea for me to ask them to see about ordering some of what I need (if it isn't something they stock). Maybe if enough people ask for special orders they will consider stocking more variety of plants. Seems like that is happening. Never used to see much in the way of xeric plants for sale here. Now seeing them as people have begun asking for them. Has anyone had good luck with the bareroot material from Peaceful Valley. I have had good success with PV buying seeds, kelp, and such. They have a selection of bare root blueberries, and some cane fruit plants for sale. Thinking about giving it a go. I'll have to have a look at Garden Watchdog at Dave's Garden - nice tip Diane. Warmest regards, eatsivy/Chris