I've had pretty good luck with the few nurseries I've tried. Usually the prices are so much higher, I just go to the end of season sales, but when I can't find a plant I really want, then I go to the nurseries. Perhaps part of the problem is that many people probably like plants, which is why they start a nursery...however, people buy plants and that's how you stay in business. Raising beautiful plants would be only half the challenge...you have to be able to sell them. I'm sure there's a lot of frustration, when people like myself compare their prices to the big box stores...but that's going to happen. Like any business, you have to be able to work with people and explain why these plants are superior, better quality, better choices, whatever...and taking the time to help people with their gardens would be something that might bring them back repeatedly, even if prices are a little higher. There's usually a better selection, too. This year, I've had great luck with Northland Rosarium, very nice customer service and beautiful roses. They even offer classes about roses! Some other nurseries I've tried haven't had such nice customer service, but still adequate. However, another nursery I went to with my mom had beautiful plants (and I bought some) but we would have stayed longer if an employee had not been using the VERY loud leaf blower right by the building. He was out there at least 20 minutes, (we even asked the employees at the register if he would be much longer, but they didn't seem to get a clue) so my mom and I grabbed a few plants and left. There may have been some great plants out there, but we couldn't take the noise. Seems they could do that type of thing BEFORE they open...but that's just me :)

I ordered a couple of fig trees from them two years ago. I paid in advance, with a debit card. They never sent the trees. I called them at least ten times over a two month period, and each time they promised to ship. I eventually filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau of Georgia. They substantiated my claim and Aarons promised them that they would send me a refund. Six weeks after that, still no check. I then filed a complaint with the State of Georgia's Attorney General's Office. Again, Aaron's promised to send me a refund check. I had to recontact the the Attorney General's office. They finally did send a check, which I redceived nearly a year after placing my order, and it did clear. I state the details of the above because Tye Tye aka Aarons has threatened to sue other entities and individuals for calling them out on their business practices. If they want to sue me they can have at it. My name is Dave Freeman and I have retained the documentation (letters to Arron's, the Better Business Bureau, and the Attorney General's office) to back up what I say. Order from them if you like, but my advice is to go with a reputable nursery.

Check out www.helpmefind.com/peony/nurseries Reath's in Michigan, and Rice Creek in Minnesota come to mind; there are probably many closer to you.

Champa nursery in El Monte has a lot of tropical and sub tropical cultivars, very knowledgeable owner. And lots of variety. Hey are out of keitt for the season but I bought fruit punch and Mallika mango from them and they had coconut creme mango as well. h&h nursery in Lakewood is a larger nursery with broader variety of everything... but probably won't have the more rare plants (e.g., champa has miracle fruit and will be getting cacao later this year, h&h doesn't) but I love their overall selection, especially for stone fruit. They also carry a lot of items from Dave Wilson nursery. Upland nursery in orange has nice but small collection. I have been gotrying my there more recently. Hope this helps i also recently bought some Really nice plants from plantogram in Florida and toptropicals in Florida -- both have nice online store fronts, delivery a bit expensive but it seems a lot of the tropical sand subtropicals at local nurseries come from Florida anyways. Hope this helps