bulb companies

[scarlett873]

i used to order frequently from the michigan bulb catalogs a few years back. since we're getting ready to build our first home, we will need to be prepared with what to plant and where and when and all of that stuff, so i thought about getting some of these catalogs again so that we could decide what we might like to have. are there any other companies out there that you would recommend?

[sorcerormickey]

Hi Scarlett!
I really haven't purchased any bulbs thru mail order, but be sure to check out this website www.gardenwatchdog.com before ordering. It has saved me from ordering from a couple of non-trustworthy companies. Another DISer posted a link to this website last year, and I find it extremely helpful.
Good luck with your new gardens and your new home!:D

[Snowwark]

Hi Scarlett, and welcome to the Flower & Garden board! :)

A new house? Oh that sounds wonderful! :) Are you going to have a big yard? Bringing any plants with you from where you are now?

That's a great link that Sorcerormickey supplied!! :)

[marlasmom]

The very best is Van Engelen or their sister company John scheepers. Van Engelen has bulbs in larger quantities - call themselves a wholesale company - minimum order is $50 which I can reach in two seconds. Scheepers sells ini smaller quantities. Both companies are relatively inexpensive (cheapest I have found) and the quality of their bulbs is wonderful. They both have websites.

[scarlett873]

thank you very much for the info...

we currently live in an apartment and i'm so done with having no yard!!! i think our yard will be about a typical size, but i don't know the measurements. our home won't be ready for move in until december and then we have 6 months to finish the grass and get the minimum of plants and shrubs and trees into our yard. the builder wants $1100 to do our landscaping for us but we've found that we can do it a heck of a lot cheaper ourselves. i don't mind getting out there to plant stuff, but i'm not very good with knowing what to put where! we'll probably refer to some landscaping guides before we get started.

we have the most horrible soil out here. we have that nasty clay. i remember in my last house (shared with my ex hubby) we had to bring in lots of top soil and regular dirt to mix in with the clay in order to keep anything growing. i had a heck of a time growing hyacinths...and they are some of my favorites...any tips?

DH has basically given me free reign over the landscaping and flowers and such. so that's why i'm trying to get the ideas flowing now so that when it comes time to actually start doing it, i'll know exactly what i want!! i so miss my irises...

i'm going to go and check out those websites! thanks guys!!

[December99]

I ordered some plants and bulbs from http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/ and so far I am MORE than happy with them. They have done much better than I ever imagined they would. I also ordered from Spring Hill Nursery ( http://springhillnursery.com/default.asp ). I have not been as happy with their plants as I was with White Flower but I would definitely probably order from them again.

[Snowwark]

Brandie, looking over some landscape guides and gardening magazines is an excellent idea! What an exciting time for you, new home for Christmas, and an agreeable DH giving you free reign in the planning of the future gardens. I hope he's also agreeable to doing some of the "grunt" work! ;) :)

Here's a link that might help you out ....Growing Hyacinths (http://www.blomsbulbs.com/g-hyacinths.cfm) :)

[gina2000]

If you order in bulk (more than $50 worth of bulbs) you may want to consider Van Bourgondien. They're located on Long Island and are very reputable. I've been ordering from them for years and you can't beat the price!


Here is a link....

http://www.dutchbulbs.com/

If you want a catalog and plan to order more than $50.....ask for the WHOLESALE CATALOG! You'll be amazed at the prices!