Yard Plants -
The best places to find 'em!

So where do you find these great yard plants?? Some of my favorite ways to obtain the plants that I have listed in the landscaping plant guide are as follows:

1) Family and Friends

Start listening to your neighbors, co-workers, friends, family, etc. when they talk about "dividing their hostas" or "digging up their daylillies" as this may be a good time for you to obtain some free plants! Don't we all love those :)

2) Local Yard or Garden Sales

One of my neighbors holds a yearly sale for yard plants, including annuals plants, a whole list of perennial flowers, and shade loving perennials. She starts the annuals plants from seed in her basement throughout the winter, and takes divisions from the established perennials in her yard for the sale.

Perennial divisions from established plants generally transition very easily to a new location after a brief period of being 'sad' by their seperation from the mother plant. I have also found that the yard plants that can be obtained from a neighborhood sale sometimes transition more easily than others because they are being planted in similar soil. Most yards in the same neighborhood tend to have similar soil conditions.

With regards to annuals plants, it is relatively easy to start those flowers from seed during "off-seasons" under a grow light indoors, however I sometimes find the process to be a little too putsy and time consuming, so I'm glad I have a neighbor who does it for me. I'd much rather just buy the plants from her! When I start yard plants from seed, I literally scatter the seeds right in the ground where I want them. (Which works more often than not, but there certainly are some delicate yard plants who prefer a more "gentle" approach. :)

3) Local Garden Shops

Purchasing plants at a local garden shop is another good option, especially during big sales events. Most local garden shops have yearly sales, such as an After Labor Day Sale during which the yard plants are priced at up to 50% off!! This is a really good deal when you're looking at purchasing plants that are usually priced at $50-$100!

I tend to favor purchasing my plants at chain stores, as opposed to local nuseries, if I'm buying plants in person (as opposed to online, or via a catalog). While I LOVE the plants available at local nurseries, my experience has been that these plants are treated very well by the employees. Unfortunately, that often means trouble for me (or should I say, for the plants!) as I do not give them consistent care once I get them home.

I save only particular purchases for local nurseries, such as the Zebra Grass that I purchased several years ago. They came in 2 gallon containers (larger than I would normally purchase) and were well-established. When I took them home I was prepared for the extra care they would need, and they have survived well, with only a minor scare for one of them :)

4) Internet or Gardening Magazines

This is a wonderful option, and one I have used regularly with much success. The plants take a year or two to really establish, but they are surprisingly hardy, and also of superior quality. I have purchased apple trees and blueberry bushes from Gurney's Seed and Nursery, tulip bulbs from Brecks, and perennials from Spring Hill Nurseries. Two other good websites to shop for plants are Henry Fields, and Nature Hills Nursery. (All links open new windows.)

Whatever method you choose, have fun!!! One of the best parts of backyard landscaping is being able to purchase your own plants! Identify the budget you have to work with, identify the plants you'll need for your project, and get to buying!

When I purchased the yard plants for Jeff and Amy's backyard landscape and design, I had a great time loading up 3 full carts of yard plants! I can't tell you what pleasure I got from purchasing all those plants at once :)

Have fun with your own purchasing frenzy!

Didn't find what you were looking for? Search here: