It’s my turn to weigh in on my favorite catalogs. Like HerbDoc, I am always pleased to see them waiting in my mailbox. I set them aside and savor them later, often before going to sleep. (I find reading about plants and thinking about the garden very relaxing.) Then when I decide it’s time to get myself in gear, I haul them out of their special storage box and start making lists – and plans. I enjoy growing plants from seed (so miraculous!) and I love my Lee Valley seed starting system. It has capillary mats, so the seedlings are supplied with a constant level of moisture.

Anyway, back to the catalogs.

I always enjoy the beautiful catalogs from White Flower Farm. The photographs are top quality, and I learn a lot from reading the descriptions of the plants. I also really appreciate the fact that they write out the botanical names phonetically, so you know how to pronounce them. By the way, I don’t like catalogs that do not print the botanical names.

Another favorite is High Country Gardens. I like their low maintenance and drought-resistant offerings. Most of the cultivars are also hummingbird magnets – important to me.

Like so many others, I, too love the Bluestone Perennials catalog. I have ordered plants from them and they have always arrived in perfect condition.

For bulbs, both spring and fall planting, McClure and Zimmerman has a great selection.

I have a thing for clematis, and there’s a great nursery in Ipswich MA called (appropriately) “Completely Clematis.” Their catalog is online only, and the selection is mind-boggling. I have ordered from them several times and the quality is excellent.

For vegetables, I like “The Cook’s Garden” but for tomatoes in particular, I love “Totally Tomatoes.” The name of the catalog says it all (although they also sell pepper, eggplant and cucumber seeds).