Gardening Gifts FAQ:
I’ve been doing my research and have been appalled by some complaints from Breck’s, Michigan Bulb Company etc. and wanted to know what other catalogs could i order from and not be ripped off. I want good plants and bulbs not crappy twigs for a reasonable price. Any good ones out there that you have tried?
I’ve been doing my research and have been appalled by some complaints from Breck’s, Michigan Bulb Company etc. and wanted to know what other catalogs could i order from and not be ripped off. I want good plants and bulbs not crappy twigs for a reasonable price. Any good ones out there that you have tried?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I have generally found that locally grown plants work best. Use the catalogs to get seeds for plants hard to find in a garden center.
I love Bluestone Perennials. They have a great selection and hard to find plants. But honestly, you get bigger and healthier plants at a local garden center.
For Bulbs, Brent& Becky’s Bulbs is a great source. Tons of variety and good sized bulbs.
(Roses)
Other catalogs:
(all types of animal control)
You get what you pay for. I have ordered from Brecks in the past and have always been satisfied. I also order from Van Bourgendein, and seeds from Thompson & Morgan, also Select Seeds, Parks, Pinetree Gardens and Burpee. I order perennial plants from Plant Delights, and Nature Hills:
White Flower Farms is good for perennials, also Wayside gardens, tho a little expensive. For house plants I order from Logee’s, and Glasshouse Works. I think all these places have web sites.
I would concur with those complaining about Michigan Bulb Co.
I order from four every year:Johnny’s Selected Seeds (Johnnyseeds.com),Jungs Quality Seeds (www.jungseed.com),Twilley Seed (www.twilleyseed.com), and Willhite Seed Inc (www.willhiteseed.com)
Willhite is out of Texas and specializes in melons
Johnny’s is for the northern gardens, Jungs is out of Wisconsin and Twilley’s is out of S.Carolina
Finding a catalogu near you is best. Not easy.
I have done most of my orders from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply. Like it says, Farm Supply, but lots of seeds, some plants (they seem to be expanding) and knowledgable people on the phone when I’ve needed help.
I’ve also like what I’ve gotten from Pine Tree Seeds. Don’t have the link handy, sorry.
Most catalogues that use scientific names do a better job of caring for plants and have better information. Those colorful inexactly named ones I avoid. If I think they don’t know the plants I stay away.
Best is to find a local nursery/garden center that you can look at the plants before you bring them home. And people to ask about them. Read carefully what the cata louge says abioyut size and things like that. So many of them present plant sar big and fast growing but what they send are “liners” which need some TLC to get a good start.