Hi, JoAnn. I was going to tell you that I've always been lucky with my orders from Joy Creek, but that's really the wrong word. Luck has nothing to do with it. It's just a very good nursery, with conscientious employees. The plants I've bought from them (all kinds of plants, not just clematis) have all been healthy and they're never mislabeled.
The clematis prices vary because of size and patent fees. Most are $18, but the patented ones cost more and the ones sent in smaller containers cost less. The ones in the smaller containers usually are the varieties that spread out like crazy, so you do get bang for your buck on those.
The size is workable. Larger than the plants from Donahue's and Brushwood, but not so large that you break your back digging the planting holes.
As for shipping, I can only tell you that the cost is quite reasonable for me, but that's probably because the nursery is in Oregon, "right up the road" from me in California.
