I enjoy visiting the Botany Shop (on 7th in Joplin) and Alexandria's (a few miles east of Carthage on Fairview Rd), both are top-notch operations in my book.

Only been to the Botany Shop once, but was much impressed. It is located at 710 Minnesota. You can turn either direction off of 7th onto Minnesota and it will be the first driveway you come to on the West side of the street. What a location...you'll have to see it to believe it.

I enjoy both places. Botany Shop has more shrubs, trees, water plants and is a larger operation. Alexandria's has more decorative stuff: hanging baskets, pretty pots, bird baths and gazing balls. I've picked up some reasonably priced hostas at Alexandria's. Sandstone Gardens has a new place in Joplin. It is an interesting place to visit even if you can't afford a big fountain. I think it is a little early in the season to see much. When were you planning to visit? Not far away in Kansas is Moncriefs. I don't think that is how to spell it. I think it is in Lowell, Kansas. They have big greenhouses with lush bedding plants. They also make beautiful pots of plants and hanging baskets. I like to get sun coleus there. Someone who knows needs to correct my spelling.

Well, thanks for the replies. I went to Joplin last Friday. I visited Botany Shop and we filled my jeep with hollies, thuja, butterfly bush, etc. And I had to borrow a truck to take home the rest (trees). So, yes, I enjoyed that nursery very much. I was very glad to see that they had some unusual plants as well (get tired of the 'ozarks standards' that everyone seems to have). They had some hardier Magnolias and even some Chaste Trees. I have Chaste trees (an herb) in my yard that are about 8-10' tall and they have very beautiful bluish blooms that last so long!
I also went to Moncriefs where we bought a couple azaleas. I was more interested in perennials, shrubs, etc; and they had mostly annuals and plants from warmer zones than ours. But, it was a very nice place to visit .. larger than I expected.
I didn't make it to Alexandrias or Sandstone, but I will make it on my next trip.
thanks again for the help.
Mel