Shipping FAQ & Policies

Important Notes:

  • We can NOT ship plants to P.O. Boxes. Please double check your address before placing your order.
  • Due to state regulations, we may not be able to ship certain plants to certain states- we will let you know as soon as possible if this is an issue for your order. For all plant shipments to Oregon, we can no longer ship larger than the 4 quart size due to state regulations. Please contact us directly for shipping plants to Idaho, as the state regulations cause delays in shipping.
  • Although we do take into account shipment date, plants and seeds are shipped out on a weekly basis. Orders with requested ship dates for later on in the week may ship at the beginning of that same week and vice versa. 

When is the best time to ship?

For most zones we recommend late winter into early spring. For zones 7 and up we also recommend fall or the wet season depending on your location.

The best time to ship is when you can plant within a few weeks, or when it is above freezing outdoors and isn't too hot yet. Camellias do not do well indoors in pots for longer than a few weeks and need to get established before getting exposed to summer heat and winter cold.
We do not recommend shipping from June 1st through September 15th and do not guarantee, replace, or refund orders shipped during this time: Delivery trucks and vans without climate control along the shipping route can reach 110 degrees or more, even if it is not that hot in the final destination. If it is too hot along the route we will hold the order until it is cooler.
Camellias travel well any other time of year, but they do best while they're both dormant and won't be exposed to extreme temperatures. For most areas, this translates to late winter into early spring.  We will not ship an order if temperatures below 25°F are expected anywhere along its route.

Shipping Delays and "Weather Permitting"
For those who plan to plant in containers or are in more temperate zones, shipping in winter or summer to the west coast, in particular, can be delayed due to cold or hot temperatures along the shipping route.

Spring shipping and planting offer the advantages of a) requiring less-frequent watering during summer dry spells and b) giving the plant plenty of time to get established before Old Man Winter settles in for the season.

In milder climates, however, our plants are perfectly happy to be shipped in the fall, throughout winter, and into spring.  In these areas, Camellias can also be planted year-round, though special protection may be necessary if unusually low temperatures are expected.

Do you use pesticides?

Only when absolutely necessary.  In accordance with federal and state agricultural regulations, we are required to treat the soil when shipping to certain states. The soil will be treated with a non-systemic pesticide called Bifenthrin.  

The following states require the soil treatment mentioned above: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Refunds will not be processed on account of pesticide use- please make your purchase at your own precaution. 

Do you ship internationally?

Yes and no.  Seeds can easily be shipped almost anywhere, and tolerate the travel well.  Living plants, however, are subject to various agricultural import and export regulations.  As a result, we do not ship plants across national borders. If you would like to discuss international seed shipping options, we'll be happy to do so.  Please send us an email detailing your country's import and quarantine regulations and what material(s) you are interested in.





How is shipping calculated?

Your shipping cost is calculated using your order total and "Ship to" address.

 State Rate
AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, and WY 40% or $22 min
AR, IL, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, ND, OK, SD, TX, and WI 30% or $21 min
IN, KY, MI, MS, TN, and all states east thereof 25% or $12 min

***If you wish to have plants shipped to AK, HI, or US territories, please email us for availability and pricing.***





 




How will my order be shipped?

All of our plants are shipped via UPS ground, no signature required.  Your "Ship To" address absolutely must be a physical address; business or residential.  You will receive an email with tracking information directly from Shopify (check spam!) on the day your order leaves the nursery.  ***If you've had issues with UPS deliveries in the past and would prefer a different carrier, please contact us for rates prior to placing your order.

Orders that include only seed packets and/or books are mailed First-Class with the US Postal Service (USPS).  You'll receive an email from us when your order leaves the nursery and your package will typically arrive in your mail or PO box within 5 business days.

 

When will I receive my order?

The map below shows estimated travel times via UPS.

US Time in Transit Map

Orders typically arrive Wednesday through Friday.  We do our absolute best to get your order shipped during the week of your specified earliest ship date.

When preparing shipments, we have to take into account possible temperature extremes between the nursery and the destination. Though your plant's packaging provides a good bit of insulation against the cold, we may delay shipment if a hard freeze is expected somewhere along its path.  Due to the quantity of orders we process daily and the mercurial nature of winter weather, we may not be able to inform you if this is the case.  If you are concerned about the timing of your order, please send us an email. 

 

I live nearby.  Can I order online and pick up in-person?

Absolutely!  Simply select the 'Pick-up' tab at check out and we'll send you an email when we have your order ready.  Appointments are required for pick-up; send us an email to let us know when you'd like to come by.

 

To view our refund policies, click here.