Planting Time! How to Order From the Garden Catalogs
Catalogs and online sources offer plants as well as seeds. Here’s what to look for before you buy
Marianne Lipanovich
February 25, 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects are garden-based, you might also find me writing about home projects and classical music. Away from the computer, I'm found in the garden (naturally), on my bike, or ice-skating outdoors (yes, that is possible in California). I'm also willing to taste-test anything that's chocolate.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects... More
The ideal spot to find new plants for your garden is a local nursery, as these plants are likely to do well in your region and you’re able to judge how healthy they are before you purchase them. You also have a local resource should problems arise. Nurseries are willing to order plants for you, and you can always try starting your plants from seed.
If you can’t get what you want locally, and starting a particular plant from seed isn’t practical or even recommended, it may be time to turn to a reputable mail-order — and now usually online — source. It may seem worrisome to order plants from a photograph, but plenty of reputable and reliable sources are out there with plants they can ship to you.
If you can’t get what you want locally, and starting a particular plant from seed isn’t practical or even recommended, it may be time to turn to a reputable mail-order — and now usually online — source. It may seem worrisome to order plants from a photograph, but plenty of reputable and reliable sources are out there with plants they can ship to you.
Before you jump in, take a look at some guidelines. Also, if anything isn’t clear, contact the company before you place an order.
Know the grower. There are many familiar names in the online plant world as well as plenty of specialty growers. Seed catalogs from growers like Park Seed Co. and W. Atlee Burpee & Co. are familiar choices.
Other good options with a wide range of available plants include Baker’s Acres, Dutch Gardens, Gilbert H. Wild and Son, Henry Field’s Seed and Nursery Co., Jung Quality Garden Seeds Co., Nature Hills Nursery, Raintree Nursery, Select Seeds, Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co., Territorial Seed Co. and Wayside Gardens.
Know the grower. There are many familiar names in the online plant world as well as plenty of specialty growers. Seed catalogs from growers like Park Seed Co. and W. Atlee Burpee & Co. are familiar choices.
Other good options with a wide range of available plants include Baker’s Acres, Dutch Gardens, Gilbert H. Wild and Son, Henry Field’s Seed and Nursery Co., Jung Quality Garden Seeds Co., Nature Hills Nursery, Raintree Nursery, Select Seeds, Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co., Territorial Seed Co. and Wayside Gardens.
Perennial lovers should explore options from Bluestone Perennials, Klehm’s Song Sparrow and White Flower Farm.
If you’re looking for bulbs, good choices include Brent and Becky’s, John Scheepers, Old House Gardens and Tulip World.
For edible plants, check out Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co., Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange and Seeds of Change.
If you’re looking for bulbs, good choices include Brent and Becky’s, John Scheepers, Old House Gardens and Tulip World.
For edible plants, check out Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co., Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange and Seeds of Change.
With the overwhelming number of roses available these days, turn to a specialty online or mail-order nursery such as Antique Rose Emporium, David Austin Roses, Edmunds’ Roses, Heirloom Roses, High Country Roses, Jackson & Perkins and Regan Nursery to find the exact rose you want.
What Kind of Roses Should You Grow?
What Kind of Roses Should You Grow?
Read the descriptions. Unlike local nurseries, which stock plants that are well-adapted to your location, mail-order and online nurseries cater to a wider-ranging clientele. Before you order a plant, make sure it will grow well in your climate zone — plant descriptions should include this information.
Plant descriptions should also include information about sun and water needs, and size when it blooms or is in peak season. The description should also tell you if the plant has special needs or is bred for special conditions.
Plant descriptions should also include information about sun and water needs, and size when it blooms or is in peak season. The description should also tell you if the plant has special needs or is bred for special conditions.
Look at shipping dates and restrictions. You may order your plant in January but not get it until April. This is not a sign of poor service, but rather just the opposite. Reliable growers won’t ship until they know it is time to plant in your particular climate zone. Ideally, they will also not actually bill you until the plants are shipped, but check to be sure that is the case.
This advice is particularly true with fall-planted bulbs, which need to be planted when the days cool down but, in cold-winter climates, while the ground can still be worked. Bulbs destined for warm-winter climates may not be shipped until far later in autumn. If you live where winters are warm and want to pre-chill your bulbs or force them for the holiday season, you will probably want to buy bulbs locally.
You will also want to be sure that the grower can ship to your area. Some states have restrictions on live plants.
This advice is particularly true with fall-planted bulbs, which need to be planted when the days cool down but, in cold-winter climates, while the ground can still be worked. Bulbs destined for warm-winter climates may not be shipped until far later in autumn. If you live where winters are warm and want to pre-chill your bulbs or force them for the holiday season, you will probably want to buy bulbs locally.
You will also want to be sure that the grower can ship to your area. Some states have restrictions on live plants.
Check plant size. Unlike seed packets, which are relatively inexpensive, live plants can cost a significant amount of money, including the plant itself and the shipping costs. While you don’t want to get a plant so large that it costs a lot to ship (and may not handle the stress of travel and transplanting as well), you also don’t want plants so small that they have little chance of surviving.
Look for guarantees. Nothing in the plant world is a sure thing, but ask about any guarantees of plant health and if the company offers refunds if plants arrive dead.
Look for guarantees. Nothing in the plant world is a sure thing, but ask about any guarantees of plant health and if the company offers refunds if plants arrive dead.
Start small. As with any other purchases from a catalog or an online company, test the waters with a small order.
Read any reviews. Take the same care that you would use with any other mail-order or online source, and check reviews, both good and bad, about the company. While these aren’t a scientific sampling, if there are a number of reviews, you can get a good idea of what the company does well and where you may need to ask a few more questions.
Other good sources are reliable websites that rate mail-order catalogs. The Old Farmer’s Almanac and The Garden Watchdog at Dave’s Garden are good sources, as is GardenWeb.
Other good sources are reliable websites that rate mail-order catalogs. The Old Farmer’s Almanac and The Garden Watchdog at Dave’s Garden are good sources, as is GardenWeb.
Examine plants on arrival. Open the package as soon as you can and check that the plants are in good shape. They’ll be stressed from travel, so pamper them a bit: Pot up ones that aren’t bare-root and place them in a cool, dry, bright spot that’s out of direct sunlight and wind. Give them some water and watch how they’re doing. Most of all, once they’ve perked up, they’ll do best if you can get them into the ground or their permanent container as soon as possible.
More: Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden, Even if It’s Snowing
More: Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden, Even if It’s Snowing
Related Stories
Landscape Design
What Will We Want in Our Landscapes in 2024?
Discover seven trends that landscape designers predict homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this year
Full Story
Spring Gardening
8 Tips to Get Your Early-Spring Garden Ready for the Season
Find out how to salvage plants, when to cut back damaged branches, when to mulch and more
Full Story
Winter Gardening
How to Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter
Garden chores may slow down this season, but pruning your fruit trees now means healthier plants that will produce more
Full Story
Winter Gardening
Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden Even if It’s Snowing
Reviewing what you grew last year now will pay off when it’s time to head outside
Full Story
Landscape Design
Pros Share Their Top Plant Picks for a Low-Maintenance Yard
Landscape pros weigh in on the plants they’d use — and ones they’d avoid — to create an easy-care garden
Full Story
Landscape Design
10 Tips for Planting a Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Landscape
Landscape pros share their advice for planning a garden that’s easy to care for
Full Story
Gardening Guides
12 Gardening Ideas You Can Count as Resolutions
See how to set up your outdoor areas for more enjoyment next year and make them a bit more earth-friendly in the process
Full Story
Holidays
Last-Minute Ideas for Attractive Winter Container Designs
Create a welcoming holiday entryway with ideas from these 9 looks
Full Story
Winter Gardening
8 Tips for Keeping Your Houseplants Healthy in Winter
Reduce watering, stop fertilizing, move them into the light and more
Full Story
Fall Gardening
7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden
Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax
Full Story
Hey Marianne Lipanovich I love all of your garden advice & tips, but you should have McKay Nursery on this list!
For indoor flowering and fruiting plants (some of which can also go outside during the summer, or all year in warm climates), Logee’s here in CT. is a great choice! I believe they ship internationally.
https://www.logees.com/