Chelle,
I am a bit east of Detroit.
Yes gas can equal shipping. But I like hand picking my plants
and the prices are cheaper when you buy at the nurseries.
Last year I took my neighbor with me to Bluestone. It made the drive go by so fast. We had such a lovely time. I am lucky she is almost always up for a plant road trip.
I also discovered a local landscape nursery that sells one gallon pots for $5 at the beginning, $4 mid season, and $3 in the fall!! There isn't a huge variety but I ALWAYS manage to find things I don't have and at those prices I am willing to try stuff I may not even care for! They also have rock bottom prices on trees and shrubs. That is a whole new realm for me and a low risk way for me to start.
