Gardens of the Blue Ridge Pineola, North Carolina Landart

Glad to see Gardens of the Blue Ridge recommended by someone in this forum. Planted 10 natives for new butterfly garden this fall. Keeping my fingers crossed for some bloom next year as all but 2 asclepias tuberosa were gallon size. Monarchs have gallon size asclepias incarnata for leaves while tuberosas are catching up.
Being completely new at this I've assumed something in a gallon size pot has a year of growth under its crown!

Try Nearly Native Nursery. Very knowledge, with a large selection of native azaleas. Also carries many unusual natives you may not be aware of. Prices are better than most, with bigger size plants. Great price on Frankliana tree. Good Luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Nearly Native Nursery

I've been happy with my orders and plants from Prairie Moon. The bare root has worked out well for me and I will order from them again.

Forest Farm (http://www.forestfarm.com/) carries a wide selection of plants including many natives. They do not ship you bare root stock - all of their stuff is potted but be aware shipping costs more since you are paying to ship dirt. They are a good option if you are not considering bareroot.

FataMorgana

Of those you've listed I have ordered from Shooting Star, Prairie, and Ion. Prairie Nursery I would highly reccomend as I would Gardens of the Blueridge. Lazy K is great for native azaleas, WeDu used to be wonderful but I think they've changed hands (again). I've also always had a soft-spot for Munchkin nurseries. Check the garden watchdog @ Dave's Garden.

kwoods....
How would you rate Shooting Star plants, quality, size, etc.?
I have plans to place an order with them for several natives, as soon as the rains return to our area and the total ban on outdoor watering is lifted or modified, so that they would have a chance of survival.:TIA
Rb

"How would you rate Shooting Star plants, quality, size, etc.? "

Ummmm...their list is extensive.

They had a few things I couldn't get from my usual sources but they ended up being rather small starts. I had to baby them, this was an early spring order. W/ your drought I'd be hesitant too. Hope it breaks soon.

They also list a couple things that you can find for much less elsewhere. The cyps, I'm pretty certain, come from Spangle creek Labs just out of flask (compare prices). I can't recommend them but have ordered only the one time and have been tempted to give them another try.

kwoods....
Thanks for the response! :I have used Spangle Creek Labs in the past and wondered if that was their source, also. I am nuturing along some C. kentuckiense from SCL that came from seed collected at the single colony found in my state.

Frankly, I don't see our drought situation improving much in the near future, so I am concentrating on keeping my existing plants alive. I have many Sarracenia species/hybrids/cultivars that require clean water to prosper. Gray water is not an option for me, as some are endangered species that I do not want to lose. Just prior to the announcement of a total outdoor watering ban, I had just purchased a large quantity of S. leucophylla 'Tarnok', S. x 'Dana's Delight' & S. rosea (plus a ton of other perennials)! at a "fire" sale to dispose of 3 trailer loads of plants cancelled by a local nursery chain.
Right now they are sitting in the middle of my veggie garden, so that I can legally water them. But, come winter, I will need an edible groundcover to remain legal. Any suggestions for an easy crop? Preferably something low in Vitamin K, that we are able to consume without negative health consequences.:TA
Rb

kwoods - why do you highly recommend Prairie Nursery over the others? It is plant size, quality, shipping, service, selection or what? Also, what are the advantages/disadvantages of bare root over small potted plants? Prairie Moon's prices are good and shipping is a lot less because you are not paying to ship soil. I would like to get the most mature plants available and not have to baby them the first year, just the usual water and mulch regimen.

And this question may be for another post but what is the best time to plant, fall or spring, or winter dormant? I would think it best to plant early spring bloomers in the fall but I may me wrong.

I would like to chime in here. I agree with kwoods. I have order a few times from Prairie Moon Nursery, and I am VERY happy with what I have received. I was especially surprised by the size of the trees/shrubs that I ordered for what I paid,(they were also very healthy). Couldn't get that price at Walmart. LOL. They were all of good size, an example is a Pagoda Dogwood I ordered it was over 2 feet tall and was cheap.

I have ordered from Prairie Nursery, Prairie Moon Nursery and Ion Exchange Nursery.

I did have a bad experience with Prairie Moon when they shipped me some plugs. They were not packaged correctly and the dirts and the plants were mixed up and all over the place. Most of them were broken. Some of the plants survived, because the roots were intact... but instead of planting plugs, I ended up planting root stock.

I called them because I thought they would want to know that their packaging was poor. A very rude person at Prairie Moon basically told me that is the risk that you take when plants are shipped and they don't know of any better ways to package them. I explained to her that there is a many mail order plant shipping companies all across the nation. I have received lots of plants in the mail and none of them were ever packaged as poorly as theirs. If they are going to take orders shipping plants, they ought to learn how to do it correctly. I will never order from Prairie Moon, not because of the damaged shipment, but because of the snotty customer rep. that I talked to on the phone.

I have received plants from Ion Exchange and Prairie Nursery and never had any problems.

I think Ion Exchange's prices are better... but they require larger orders.

Two or three years ago I received an order of plants from Territorial Seed. No joke, the plants looked like someone had done the Samsonite Luggage Test with them. Plants were broken, dirt and plants every where in the box. I called my "unpacking" of the box triage. The outside of the box was in fine condition, the inside packing was the problem. I sent them an email about about the condition of the plants and they immediately shipped replacements. No questions asked. They called me to apologize and let me know about the re-shipment. Now I've ordered before and after this from them with no problems - their packing is usually great. Obviously the one time was a mistake someone had made or some failing of the packaging materials. Mistakes happen - it is how they are dealt with that is important. Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with Prairie Moon.

FataMorgana

"kwoods - why do you highly recommend Prairie Nursery over the others?"

Linrose, very robust (2nd yr?) plants and a diverse selection at very reasonable prices. Well packed and shipped in biodegradable packing material (excelsior which a put out for the birds to use as nesting material). The shipping is a bit high but the plants are ready to go straight out of the gate. Their seed selections are also excellent and coincide with their plant selections. If you're doing a large planting you can order plants for instant gratification and the same seed to fill in next year(s).

"I am nuturing along some C. kentuckiense from SCL that came from seed collected at the single colony found in my state."

Very cool! Nice to have the local genotype. I Have some kentuckiense out of flask from SCL that I'm on my fourth(?) year w/. Hopefully first blossoms this spring!

"I have many Sarracenia species/hybrids/cultivars that require clean water to prosper."

Again, very cool! I use a nearby pond to pump water to my bog where the Sarrs are located. Do you have one of those 100 gal tanks to collect rainwater, on those rare occasions, from the roof? Straight S. rosea is one I don't have that is very nice, good for you. I have been collecting antho-free (no red pigmentation) sarrs the last couple years. I hope they (and you) make it through the drought.

Oh! Missed a few questions Linrose. Bareroot is fine if you are sure of the quality. I have gotten dessicated bareroot plants (haven't we all) that never break dormancy. I prefer spring planting simply because I have had more success in the past w/ it. In fall some nurseries seem to send their leftover/rootbound plants and they don't have as much opportunity to get established before going dormant. I often sow seed in fall.

I have done well with Ernst Conservation Seeds in PA (they have a good website) and with Wildlife Nursery Inc. in Wisconsin (920/231-3780)(mail and telephone order, no website). Both sell seeds and bareroot plants.
Bareroot plants are fine and often preferable to plants grown in pots. Of course, the trick is to buy from a good vendor.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ernst Conservation Seeds

Oops. Forgot to add another link. You can also go from this page to the NC Botanical Garden's page.

Here is a link that might be useful: NCNPS list

I would also recommend LazyK for Native Azaleas. Have purchased several hundred species, cultivars & Weston hybrids from him during past several years. for restoration and resale. If you need a large quantity, he has wholesale prices. He also delivers, but I don't know the minimum order required or the territory he serves. Wouldn't hesitate to ask. Owner's name is Ernest Koone. Very pleasant man and extremely knowledgeable.
Good luck with your project! :-)

The BEST source are the woodlands in your area..( I don't mean digging up plants though) I've heard that it's best to use plants that are grown from seed within 20 miles of your site. This preserves the genetics of the plants adapted to your area. I know this isn't always possible, but try to locate the natives in your area first and propagate them yourself. Also check to see if there are any nurseries/growers in your area or check with native plant societies.
Good luck