I live in Southern California in the desert. It gets HOT here. I just ordered 3 blueberries for my climate from Burnt Ridge Nurseries. This was an online order. I ordered SUNSHINE BLUE BLUEBERRY , SHARPBLUE BLUEBERRY, O'NEAL BLUEBERRY. They all arrived (not in little pots like other online orders, but in wet peat rich soil with their poor little roots exposed. There was wet newspaper over all 3, and they were wrapped in plastic, and then in one carton. Burnt Ridge has good customer service and fast shipping. Just not sure they treated my plants too nicely. I have carefully planted them with lots of peat, enhanced with sulfate of ammonia in 3 gal pots. They are topped with a couple inches of mulch. I have a neato little tool to check soil moisture. It was cheap. I got that online also. It's called a soil sleuth. Google it. When you think something is dry, because the top is, you would be amazed how damp the lower dirt is. I'll be monitoring my blueberries because I know they like it damp. Suzi

I'll second the Edible Landscaping recommendation. I haven't ordered any of their larger plants, but I was very pleased with the quart-size mulberry and figs that I bought last fall. They shipped quickly, and their packaging was first-rate. Also, where did you buy the smaller plants that have disappointed you? I ask because I've had very good luck with the 2-year-old plants that I purchased from Simmons Plant Farm and Burnt Ridge Nursery last spring. At this point, the more vigorous varieties have reached 3' or so and are loaded with blossoms (from 12" to 15" at the time of planting).

Raphiolepis indica, Indian hawthorn. Here is a link that might be useful: Raphiolepis indica. Indian hawthorn.

Thanks, Eddie the article that Ellen posted is the one I had read that recommends Rabbiteye because highbush are more prone to rabbit and deer attacks (I mistakenly said birds above) "becaue they ripen early in the season." I was just at Home Depot they had nothing, Lowes had Elliott, Bluejay, Bluecrop and Legacy, all of which I believe are Northern Highbush varieties. I haven't been to any nurseries yet, trying to keep away from too much temptation. I will have to call around so I don't have to visit too many places. Thanks for the advice on planting.