Plant Catalog Information
Plants in this catalog are offered at different stages of growth and in different forms depending on the species, the season, and what gives the plant the best chance of establishing well after shipping. All of the plants we offer are growing in a permaculture habitat on our property.
Plant forms offered:
- First year rosette: a low-growing, circular cluster of leaves formed by biennials and some perennials
- Rhizome: horizontal, underground plant stems that propagate new shoots and roots from nodes
- Starter plant: a young (baby) plant
- Seedling: a young plant or tree that has emerged from a seed
- Bare-root plant: soil-free plant, roots wrapped in damp paper towels or newspaper
- Potted plant: plant that is shipped in a 4" pot (typically) with soil
- Cutting: cuttings without roots, may have some leaves - for rooting
- Scion wood: dormant cuttings from fruit trees - for grafting
- Seeds: seeds harvested and offered for the next growing season (e.g. harvested 2025 for 2026 planting)
- Dormant bulb: a bulb that is not actively growing, or may have a small shoot
Shipping forms
Bareroot: Soil is removed from the roots before shipping. This reduces weight and allows roots to be packed securely while still being protected from drying out.
Potted: Some plants are shipped in a pot or with soil around the root system, especially when active growth makes root disturbance less desirable.
Field-dug: Some plants are dug directly from the growing beds and then prepared for shipping. This can mean washing or shaking off excess soil, trimming the plant, and wrapping the roots, tubers, or rhizomes in damp paper towels or newspapers carefully for transit.
Why plants may be trimmed back
Plants may be trimmed before shipping, and this is intentional. Trimming can reduce water loss, prevent breakage in the box, and help the plant travel with less stress. Trimming also increases transplanting success by balancing the root system and the top growth, which reduces transplant shock and water loss. Trimming stimulates new feeder roots, encourages the energy to focus on establishing growth rather than foliage maintenance. In many cases, strong regrowth follows once the roots are planted and the plant settles into its new home.
Natural variation
Because these are living plants grown in real outdoor conditions, appearance will vary. Size, leaf count, branching, color, and amount of top growth may differ from one plant to another. Seasonal timing also affects what you see when the box is opened.
After arrival
Unpack plants promptly. Keep roots from drying out, and plant them in soil as soon as conditions allow. Keep roots moist, but well drained until the plant is established. Keep them out of the direct sun until for the first week. If the new planted location is outside, a protecting covering, such as a milk jug, works well.
Some shipping and transplant stress is normal, especially with field-dug and bareroot plants. With proper moisture, suitable light, and a little time, most healthy plants resume steady growth.
A working garden approach
These plants are grown as part of a working garden and field system, not a showroom greenhouse. That means what you receive may look practical, seasonal, and alive rather than manicured. The goal is not temporary display perfection. The goal is long-term establishment, resilience, and usefulness in the garden.