I've found that by the time you add in shipping, you are paying a lot for a small plant and could buy a bigger one locally if you can find it.

There are quality places that pack well and then there are others. Check out Garden Watchdog for specific vendors.

Do you have a good place where the mailman can leave packages so they don't fry? I'm lucky to have a protected, shady front porch.

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Watchdog

Well, it's true that shiping makes the plants more expensive than advertised, but keep in mind the law is that if you purchase from a different state then they don't have to charge sales tax. If they do then look for another vendor. They're ignorant and pass the cost of that ignorance to you. Or they are so genourous with YOUR MONEY that they send it to the state comptroller on a volunteer basis.

I frankly prefer online vendors. That way I can find things that the local nursery doesn't carry and get exacly what I want. Also, the internet is a big marketplace that encourages competition. If someone across town has something it will cost me 3 bucks a gallon for gas just to get there so I generally order online.

Of course, some people will hose you. I ordered a Hibiscus Syriacus from wayside gardens and thought it was way, way overpriced for what I got, 30 bucks for a puny cutting that won't flower this year. They keep sending me emails advertising how they have plant such and such for 150% the price tht the local hardware store sells it for as if I am supposed to leap at the opporunity. So I won't buy from them again. I bought some pretty lousy plants from autumn ridge nursery (but that's ok becuase the prices were excellent and I didn't expect too much)

And I have had great experiences too. Smallplants.com and Pendulousplants.com have treated me very well thus far.

I WILL NEVER BUY FROM WAYSIDE GARDENS AGAIN. Autumn ridge is a big maybe. Small plants and pendulous plants are good. There is also a tropical plants place in florida but the website will not let me post the name because apparently they spammed this board. But this place was good too........

I'm buying a lot more locally than I used to, having finally found a good local nursery. But when I want something out of the ordinary I'll shop online.
Two of my favorites online stores are logees.com and ecolage.com
Neither are cheap, but I felt the prices were a bargain for what I got, which were big beautiful plants rarin' to grow.

Thanks for the tips. I hadn't really factored in the cost of mailing--- but then the cost of gasoline is another factor. :(

I have a good place (inside the apartment complex) for plants to be left.

I'm really more hoping that I can get 4 inch pots or similar rather than 1 gal. Cheaper and less to ship?

I guess no place sells six paks on line?

Off the topic a little---- can horsetails be grown by seed? Dumb question???

I just realized it was you cave76. You're the person who asked about a containerized lantana...

What kind of plant are you looking for? besides a horsetail, becaue I don't even know what that is. I ask because I get sick of some of mine and give them away to friends and relatives. Or, I take cuttings of something and give the young plants away because I do't have the room.

Did not see six packs, but Bluestone Perennials sells very nice 3 packs. I bought button mums collection from them, azaleas and 5 clematises. They were having 50% 'end of season' sale. All plants were very healthy, and it was really cheap too.

Thanks tcharles---but the logistics of sending/receiving them are probably too much. ("horsetails" are a rush type of plant and I've always liked them. They give a nice vertical touch to a patio collection.)

alina, and thanks for your suggestion.