The Greenery in Hollywood is small but has a helpful staff. Greenstreet Growers on 258 near Deale has a wide variety of annuals. Perhaps best of all, when the local farmers markets start up again, there are often several good local growers offering a nice range of vegetable and herb starts. But, when I'm doing serious plant shopping (shrubs, trees, perennials), there are really only two choices -- Behnke's in Beltsville and Merrifield Gardens in Virginia.

For seeds, an under-utilized source that is great for this area is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. They're a small operation in the Shenandoah Valley that specializes in heirloom seeds that are well adapted to the mid-Atlantic.

I just purchased beautiful well priced azaleas at Chesapeake Bounty in St. Leonard, Md. They have a good variety of plants. They also sell products from local farmers. Website is www. Chesapeakebounty.com.

Also the Amish market in Charlotte Hall is a good source for vegetables,flowers, perennials.

From April to Early June, a local farmer in Wayside, Md off route 257 near Newburg has perennials, bedding plants, vegetables, hanging baskets - all very good.