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rudysmallfry

When to order plants

19 years ago

I am in the planning stages of planting native shrubs and trees in my yard. I have all of the plants picked out. My question is pretty basic. How do I go about obtaining them? Native shrub nurseries aren't as plentiful as I would like. Should I be contacting them now to make sure they will have what I'm looking for? Is it too soon or too late to do so? I am looking primary for

Allegheny Serviceberries

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Swamp Azaleas

Eastern Redbud

I'm in Miford, CT

Comments (8)

  • 19 years ago

    If you are looking to buy locally (pick up), I would contact the nursery or garden center and see if you need to pre-order, especially if you want a large quantity.

    If you order on the web, now is a good time to do so while the pickings are good. Most places will time the delivery of the order to the correct time for your zone (okay, so sometimes they send them a bit early for me, but I can deal with that). Before you order on the web, I would check out Dave's Garden Watchdog to see what the rating is for your potential source.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Dave's Garden Watchdog

  • 19 years ago

    Have you checked Woodland Trails Wildflower Nursery in Eastford, CT? They aren't open yet but women who own it live on the property so you can probably reach them by phone. It's a nice ride and in the vicinity of many other small specialty nurseries.

    Sue

    Here is a link that might be useful: Woodland Trails Wildflower Nursery

  • 19 years ago

    Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden is a great source for shrubs and trees, and you can look at their catalog online to see if they have what you are looking for.

    Here is a link that might be useful: broken arrow

  • 19 years ago

    May I suggest too that you add to your list the correct Latin/scientific name for each plant? That way you'll be sure to get the plants you want. Also, the plants you listed are commonly available in good local nurseries. They don't have to be from specialist "native plant" nurseries.

    Also, you will almost always get a bigger plant that will suffer less transplant shock if you can buy at a local nursery. Mail order is great for those uncommon plants we all covet.

  • 19 years ago

    Unless you are looking for specific cultivars, winterberries, redbuds and to a certain extent, serviceberries are all quite commonly carried by good nurseries. Swamp azaleas are a different matter, and it took me a good few years to get one. They may be becoming more common, though, which would be why I could find them in the first place.

  • 19 years ago

    Also, check your local conservation district for its spring plant sale. You can probably order now, pick-up is usually late April. The plants tend to be small, but not always, and lots of natives are usually included.

    We've listed a couple of the C.D. sales on the NE Garden Events blog calendar.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Calendar

  • 19 years ago

    Tripple Brook Nursery in western MA sells Redbud (Cornus canadensis), I have bought very healthy and reasonably priced natives from them.

    Garden in the Woods in Framingham (also at Nasami Farm in Whately, MA) sell Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata). I have bought cultivars as well as the male "pollinator" there. Remember if you want berries for Winterberry holly, you need a male "pollinating" plant nearby.

    Serviceberries...Amelanchier should be available at plant nurseries in your area. It does well in our climate and is sold in most good nurseries.

    Not sure about the Swamp Azalea..do you know the Latin mame? I think Tripple Crown may sell it..

    BTW I have no connection to Tripple Crown other than being a happy customer :-)

    Here is a link that might be useful: Tripple Crown native plant nursery

  • 19 years ago

    Up for a drive? I recommend Nasami Farm in Whately, MA- it's just north of Northampton, near Deerfield, MA. It has all native plants- we have bought lots of lovely plants there. They usually list their available plants on the website closer to when they're open (late April). They have plant sales for a few weeks in the spring, and a few weeks in the fall. Make a day of it- enjoy Northampton or Old Deerfield, and then load up with plants!

    Here is a link that might be useful: Nasami Farm