I'm a big fan of shopping locally and supporting small businesses and would encourage you to bypass all the big boxes - yeah, they are cheaper, but who knows where they got their plants or what has been sprayed on them (let alone how they treat their employees). I just don't go there. A smaller local nursery is such a more pleasant experience, and you will get much more informed advice for your particular region. I also don't do much in the way of mail-order plants, although I know a lot of folks rely on that. I live in an area with plenty of nurseries so it's just never felt right to me, plus I like the instant gratification of walking through a local nursery, buying some plants, and getting them in the ground that same day. Have fun!
