Where I like to shop for plants.

I thought that I would share my favourite shopping places for gardening stuff.
I love and adore my online store of choice http://www.botanus.com.
The women who own and run this store are knowledgeable, capable and friendly. They really know their products and gardening and are charming to speak with. I have been ordering from them for 3 years. The plants arrive at your door when it is time to plant them. They are beautifully, methodically and carefully wrapped.
I do have a couple of cautions for any new gardeners. Most of their plants are pictured in full-bloom and are mature plants. That is not what you will receive in the box. Usually, it is bare root, new plantings that will take time to become established in your garden. They are planted with the potential to become like the picture on the Botanus site. I only buy perennials, no annuals. This has made me think a wee bit...oh noooo.
I wondered about plants like begonias. So I made a call. Begonias, Dahlias etc come as tubers that you plant and they should flower that year. However, you will have to dig them up and store them over the winter. Nope, too much work for me. It boggles my mind that people actually dig these things up. Wow. Committed.
Soooo... the first year is generally a write off as the perennial plants are still too new. The following year, you should see some results.
If you want instant gratification by plopping established plants into the ground you will absolutely have to shop at a nursery.
My favourite nurseries are:
1. http://southlandsnursery.com I love this store. My heart soars with joy at the beauty that is in every single nook and cranny. Every single gardening enthusiast needs to visit Southlands. Seriously. Thomas Hobbs and his husband (I believe) own this store. Just search Thomas Hobbs and you will get it. I personally own two of his crazy beautiful books.
2. http://www.wigplants.com My favourite for succulents and baskets is WIGS. The owner was very helpful and informative and his succulents are incredibly gorgeous and often very different.
When I need something quickly and locally, I go to:
1. http://dykhofnurseries.com
2. http://mapleleafgardencentre.ca
3. http://gardenworks.ca

This year I am planning a trip to see Brad Jalbert's roses out in Langley. http://selectroses.ca
I have three new big pots that I bought on sale for 50% off at Gardenworks and I plan to plant them with roses this year. I may buy them all from Select or I may buy some roses from Southlands. It just depends on what I see and what I MUST have in the garden.