One of the most frequently asked questions when people visit or see pictures of my garden is, "Where do you find such cool plants?"  The answer is, "Everywhere!"  You just have to develop a keen eye and look past the most common offerings.  Petunias, while they have their place, rarely, if ever, find a home at Wits' End.  And even if you are tempted by the most common of bedding plants, at least look for the most unusual forms of more common plants that you can find.  That's what will set your garden apart from the others.

While I do plenty of shopping at and firmly believe in shopping my local garden centers--and encourage you to do the same--sometimes I have to cast a wider net to find the best of the best.  I also encourage you to do that!  It makes the garden much more exciting!

Here is a list of a few favorite mail-order nurseries and their websites to get you started.  I buy plants from many of these sources each year and have always been pleased with the quality of the plants and service I receive.  Happy shopping and gardening!

www.plantdelights.com   Rare and unusual Perennials, Tropicals, Annuals and Shrubs

www.diggingdog.com   Excellent selection of unusual perennials

www.anniesannuals.com   Some of the most exotic Perennials and Annuals of any nursery

www.rareseeds.com   For the vegetable gardeners who love heirlooms and unusual varieties

www.dahlias.com   Swan Island Dahlias, the most beautiful dahlias available today

www.pineknotfarms.com   Exceptional hellebores (Lenten roses) for Southern gardens

www.woodlanders.net   A great mix of natives and exotics, the most unusual varieties of each

www.arrowheadalpines.com   Rare and unusual perennials, bulbs and more

www.brokenarrownursery.com   Rare and unusual woody plants (trees and shrubs) and perennials

www.cistus.com   Also top notch when it comes to things rare and unusual.  In the Pacific Northwest, but they sell a variety of plants that will grow well in the South.

This is by no means an exhaustive list.  There are hundreds of fantastic mail order nurseries in the world today, but these are a few favorites that get my repeat business.  So kick back and start browsing--and maybe keep the credit card in the other room until the impulse buying period has passed...