Research before ordering plants
Q. I love getting all of the catalogues in the mail. The plants seem so new and exciting. How can I be sure I’m getting what I pay for?
Tina from Ellsworth
A. Great question! It is so easy to get drawn into plant catalogs this time of year. The photography is amazing. The writing makes you think you had better purchase it now. The deals, such as “Spend $350, get 50 percent off,” get you to start your list of which ones will grace your garden later this spring.
But many offers may be too good to be true. Thus, I’m hoping you are doing your homework before ordering from catalogues this winter.
There are many reputable companies out there. They have great plants, the newest varieties and more. But if you read the fine print, you’re not really getting what’s in the photos. The photos lead your mind to believe you’re getting plants that will thrive and bloom in 2017. In many cases, you are getting a very small plant that may not bloom until next season or even later.
So here are some tips to be sure you’re not disappointed when ordering this winter:
Be sure to understand the size of the plant you will receive.
Know how many plants you are getting for the price.
Know how and when the plants are being shipped.
Know where the plants are being grown.
For all of these, if the answer is not written in the text of the catalog, call the customer service number to get an answer. If they are pushy to get you to order instead of answering your question, move on to someone else.
If you are worried and want to check the company’s claims, ask questions on social media and try to get answers from your fellow gardeners who have ordered from the company with success.
There are alternatives to making decisions right now. To feed your cravings for the latest and greatest plants, cut out photos of the plants with details of the name of the new cultivar in the photo. Go to your local garden center to see if they carry the plant or if they are willing to order it.
Use the term “university extension” in your searches to learn more about the names of new cultivars in these magazines. A little research may reveal a tender perennial or the fact that the plant grows only in southern climates. Some extra time now will save you gardening headaches during the coming growing season.
Eric Barrett is OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Mahoning County. Winter hours for the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic vary. Submit questions to the clinic at 330-533-5538 or drop samples off to the OSU Extension Office in Canfield.