With so few private nurseries around (only one part time one left near me now), I order lots and lots of plants mail order. Bluestone has been one of my main sources for 25 years or more. The quality of the plants and how they were grown and shipped has varied as they searched for the most economical way to grow and ship to its customers yet keep prices reasonable. This year mine arrived better then they have in a few years. I hope they stay in business for years to come.........If you were to ask me what the best of the newest mail order nurseries is, I would say Romence Gardens. Unbelievable packaging, large pots, annuals and perennials. They are my main go to place to buy in spring now.......I'm sorry you had to deal with another health issue Kay. This year has not been a healthy one for many of us. I'm glad to hear you are recovering though. I'm starting to look forward to fall and pansy season already.......Maryl

Romence Gardens

Kay, take it easy for a while. I look forward to seeing your photos, but don't push it.

Nancy

Please rest a bit to recover! The photos can wait til you feel your best.

Sherry

Bluestone grows plants in those thick coconut pots. The roots never established with me, and like you, I lost many. They are nice people who will readily replace things, but I just hate those pots and the small plants. Of course, perennials are expensive everywhere. Julia has said that she loves Bluestone.

Thank you all, but you know I have lost time I needed in the garden, and I have another skin cancer surgery next week, It is my right arm, a pretty fair sized one and my left hand; a small one but he will not let me work with them for about 10 days probably so I work when I can.

I take two medications which are likely to cause skin cancer in case you wonder. I usse sunblock and dress from head to toe but it happens a lot to me.

Mantis, if you are reading this, be sure to over-hydrate; you are already dehydrated when you become thirsty. Heat stroke is real, you know that already so be careful. And I hate the thick little pots too so I scissor the band off and cut a few strips down the corner sof the pots and always pot to grow roots before I plant.

kay

Kay: It's so hard to be a contributor to God's green earth and have all these physical problems. Every summer when it gets into the heat dome effect here I think "I could have taken up knitting for a hobby". But the birds and the bees and humanity would get little to no benefit from that. Please take care of yourself.........I hate those coir pots. So many of the plants just fall out of them during shipping. If they manage to stay in the pots, I cut the pots off the plants altogether 99% of the time........Maryl