I am curious as to how the plants actually survive the trip? I am assuming that the bare root plants are in some sort of dormant state? How easy (or hard) is it to wake them up and what is the success rate?

What about the ones in pots? For instance a 3" pot, how do they ship that and ensure that the soil stays in the pot and that the plant doesn't die from dehydration in the week or so it is in the mail?

Thanks!

Some other sources have had a bad reputation for years. One called Michigan [something] is notorious.

Gardenweb has a Garden Sources forum. Perhaps you can get more current information there.

There scores of online and mail order plant companies - some are excellent, others so-so and a great many that should be avoided at all costs. So how do you know who's who? There is an excellent website called the Garden Watchdog that compiles information from thousands of gardeners across the country (also in Canada and elsewhere) specifically on online and mail order plant suppliers regarding the quality of the plants/seeds/gardening products they provide and more importantly, their customer service. Plants are living organisms and transporting them across country, often tiny little slips, and at unfavorable times and by mail is a risky business at best - somtimes problems will occur. But a good supplier will address these problems promptly and to your satisfaction, so superior customer service is essential.

Bare root plants are typically sent during their period of dormancy. The roots are protected and kept from drying out, otherwise the plant is typically just a little stick or not much more than a collection of roots. Often it is best to pot these up promptly and grow them on a bit before turning them loose in the garden where they can easily get lost or smothered or devoured by critters. If shipped during dormancy, they should be kept in conditions that will maintain them in that state until it is time for them to emerge from dormancy naturally. Potted plants generally are wrapped protectively to keep soil in the pot and ensure the top growth is undamaged during shipping. Often you can request various methods of shipping that will ensure your plants arrive in the shortest possible amount of time. It may be more expensive but it could well be worth the investment.

Shipping costs are another factor you should consider when selecting a mail order/online vendor - they can be all over the board! The Garden Watchdog will generally have comments that will address what may be excessively high shipping costs for some.

Some drawbacks to ordering plants by mail....the plants will generally be smaller than what you could find locally or if of the same size, will generally be more expensive than local products. That's pretty much a mail order fact of life :-) And you will have to pay shipping costs in addition. However, if you don't have many local nurseries or plant suppliers nearby, it may be the only way you can access some plants you want and in many cases, can be the best way to obtain uncommon or rare plants that are not widely available. But whenever possible, I would encourage gardeners to patronize their local independent retail nursery for good quality plants you can examine in person and without the expense of shipping.