Do you have a local agricultural center there? They answer most of my questions. I google the rest of it. Sounds like a very desolate state compared to the east coast. I'm glad you found a community you like. I don't really fit in here. I'm a Yankee in the deep South.

If you're in the Missoula area, join a garden club. That's the best way I know for a newcomer to find out what's going on in the gardening world where you live.
Mike

Montana is not exactly considered part of the PNW so unless some local members have previous Montana living experience, you would probably be much better off posting your inquiry on the Rocky Mountain Gardening forum.

Hi Rochelle- I used to live in Missoula- you have found the best place to live- I miss it so much!! I recommend as others have said- go visit some local nurseries- Caras Nursery or Earth and Wood are great. Hopefully you'll have more luck than I did with the deer- they are everywhere and eat everything. Good luck and have fun looking.

I second the Rocky Mtn Gardening forum- they're very nice over there, and there used to be a few people from Montana- I think one woman who is an avid gardener lives in the Kalispell area, though I'm not sure how active she is on the forum lately (as I'm not in the RMG zone anymore).

I used to live in Great Falls, but other than some basic stuff like lilacs, spirea, peonies, I can't help much.