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Shop Til' You Drop!

© Vicki Paull

I bought some of my first plants at our local "super center". I had a few questions about water gardening, but when I posed them to the staff, they just didn't know the answers. I bought other plants at a nearby home-improvement store, and although they did know more and were very helpful, I still needed information. These large retailers provide plants and ornaments for yard and garden at very reasonable prices, but for specific, tailored information, that special plant, or a unique touch, you will just have to look elsewhere.

Small local businesses can and will take the time to talk to you, get a feel for the effect you wish to create and then help you achieve it. Many of them offer landscaping services, including installing a water garden or pond. I have found some of my favorite plants at small local nurseries and found inspiration for some of my best ideas.

Locating these guys can be a challenge. Start in the phone book. Call the greenhouses and nurseries and inquire about water gardens and ponds. Ask other gardeners where they get their plants. In the spring read the classifieds and ads in the paper. You are sure to discover one or two in your area.

After finding them, take a day to go visit a few. Rarely do I come home empty handed, or without ideas. Now, you may pay a bit more, and most of the plants I buy from the "Big Guys" grow just fine, but I love greenhouses and nurseries and I like having a real selection. I also enjoy talking to other enthusiast, getting their input and advise.

Some local nurseries do have web sites and below I have listed a few. These are provided to help you find suppliers in your area. Each offers services to a specific geographic region. Some have catalogs for traditional mail-order, and a few offer some on-line sales.

I would like to develop a list of regional water garden/pond supply services, so submissions of similar sites are welcome. (I do have the final say on which links I will list, and I will get to them as I can:-) Next month I will list some of the major Internet water garden/pond supply web sites.

Pond On
Vicki

Regional links and catalog:

USA

California:
A.A. and Bob Allen, Inc. Serves the San Joaquin Valley. Plants and supplies.

Florida:
Orchids Etc. Of Florida No catalog, some nice pictures and a toll free number. Water Lilies and orchids.

The copyright of the article Shop Til' You Drop! in Water Gardening is owned by Vicki Paull. Permission to republish Shop Til' You Drop! in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.