1 How is Honest Perennial Co. different from a nursery?

Every plant we sell is described by how it actually behaves -- how long it blooms, whether it comes back, what it looks like in year three. Our selection is curated, not broad. If we haven’t grown a plant we don't sell it.

2 Do you have a farm or display garden I can visit?

Not anymore. I grew thousands of perennials at scale over five years on our former farm. That's where I learned how plants really behave, and that experience is built into every guide, plan and plant description we sell. Today I grow at a smaller scale in Ottawa, and we ship.

3 Where do you ship?

Plants, bulbs, crowns and seeds ship across Canada only. Digital guides and design services are available everywhere.

4 When will my order ship?

Plants ship May through September. Bulbs, crowns and seeds ship in October.

5 What size are your plants?

We grow in 2 sizes.

Garden Cubes are grown in 2-inch soil blocks: small, economical and quick to establish, perfect for blended drifts.

Garden Wraps are free-rooted plants raised in our beds, a minimum of 5 inches across, shipped in corrugated pots that recycle when you're done. Either way, a healthy root system matters more than pot size. A small plant often catches up to a large nursery pot within a season.

6 What are Workhorses, Staples and Divas?

Plant Sets are my system for categorizing plants by how they behave over time.

Workhorses are the backbone. They bloom for a long stretch and return reliably, building your garden over time.

Staples are just as dependable, but their bloom window is shorter. Lupines in late spring, liatris in mid-summer. You place them knowing exactly when they'll show up and when they'll fade.

Divas can look incredible, but they fade over time. They're not a mistake, they're a choice. Plant them eyes wide open.

You'll see these labels on our plants. The full system is in The Honest Perennial Guide.

7 Why buy seeds from you?

Not all seeds are equal. Some are treated for easier germination or disease resistance, and some aren't. I've grown what we sell from seed, tested many sources, and curated the best based on what actually germinated and performed.

Our seeds also ship in Miron violet glass jars, which block the UV rays that degrade seed over time. The jars are labelled for garden planning and worth keeping long after the seeds are gone.

8 I don't know which plants to pick. Where do I start?

Three ways, depending on how much help you want.

Start with a Collection. Each one is a curated set of plants built around a colour palette, pollinators or seasonal drifts, and comes with a planting and maintenance guide. No guesswork.

Want to design it yourself? The free Immersive Garden Guide walks you through the thinking, from breaking your space into workable blocks to knowing what to consider before you buy a single plant.

Want it done for you? Our Personal Design Blocks starts with your Garden Profile and ends with block plans built for your space, your conditions and your goals.