North Short Plant Club Feb 8, 2026 12:02 PM

Tell Me about the Hydrangeas Available During the Annual Pre-Order

The Proven Winners hydrangeas available this week are the same sorts we offer later in the season. One of the nurseries from which we buy annuals at this time of year is a Proven Winners shop who also grows some PW perennials in 1 gallon pots... which is pretty small for an eventually large shrub like a Hydrangea. If you’re looking for bigger shrubs, we think you’ll be happier buying later in the year. Come May or June we’ll offer many of those exact same varieties in bigger sizes, and at better prices on a pound-for-pound basis!

The Hydrangeas marked as “Greenhouse Grove” and available for April are typically florist hydrangeas which may well not be hardy in the Chicago area’s winter cold. They were likely forced (to be further ahead than they’d normally be early in the year) and are meant for fancying up early season containers.

Plants: Hydrangea (Hydrangea)

Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.

Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.

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