Ways to Spend Your Stimulus Check

I've had some people ask me to talk about where I shop for my plants, containers and gardening supplies. Typically I do a combination of online shopping and bricks and mortar. In this post I'll talk primarily about Internet sources. I've ordered from all of these sites (with the exception of one--I'll get to that later) and so I am speaking from my own experience.

Antique Rose Emporium: This Texas company specializes in old roses and I have mentioned them in previous posts. I have been thrilled so far with the two roses that I bought this season: Graham Thomas and Cecile Brunner. The Emporium has an entire category of roses that are particularly well suited for containers. If you want to try growing roses but don't know where to start, these are the folks to call.

White Flower Farm: Based in Connecticut, this nursery has every plant, flower and bulb you can imagine and then some. I've shopped with them for years and I have never been disappointed. They stand behind their product and will replace your plant or refund your money without any hassles. Also, their catalog is so informative that you'll always want to keep a copy on hand for reference.

Logee's Tropical Plants: One of the editors from Fine Gardening magazine clued me into this website. Here you'll find exotic and unusual plants and flowers. Honestly, some of them do not even seem to be of this world so check them out if you are looking for attention-getters. They have a summer sale going on now through July 31st if you need any additional encouragement.

Smith & Hawken: This is the place for all of the gardening accoutrements. I'm fortunate to have an actual store nearby but their website is a great source for tools (including my favorite Felco pruners), trellises (if you have climbers), planters, watering cans and lots of other supplies.

The Felco Store: The website has the entire collection of Felco products. They even have pruners for southpaws and those with small hands. I love that all inclusive philosophy.

Seibert & Rice (for drooling purposes only): I add this to the list not because I can speak about them with any sort of authority because the pots are way (way) out of my price range. But these are the pots of my gardening dreams. This company imports handmade terra cotta urns and planters from Impruneta, Italy. They are said to be frost proof to -20F and they are utterly gorgeous. I'm not so sure I'd even want to put dirt in them. You'll have to email them for a pricelist and as the saying goes: "If you have to ask...."(well, you know the rest). Never have truer words been said.

Target: On the more economical tip, Target's website and stores have very large and attractive planters, many of which are made out of molded fiberglass and I know from experience that they can be left out all winter long (with plants in them). Also, the store carries a line of Smith & Hawken products. They are not quite the quality that I have found in the actual Smith & Hawken store but the prices are lower and I find that to be a very fair trade-off. Finally, they have Bionic gardening gloves. I bought a pair for my mom last year from a different website and I'm not sure what her final word is on them. So Mama, if you are reading this, send in a comment to let the readers know.

West County Gardener: The coolest (and most functional) gloves around. I don't wear gardening gloves often but when I do, these are the ones. I have the Classic Glove in a wonderful berry color and the Rose Gauntlet. They wash and dry like a dream.

Next post, I'll discuss some local shopping for readers who live in Northern Virginia.

Bookshelf: Container Gardening Books