Fortunately, technology has dealt you a decent hand in recent years. Web sites such as PlantFind were created to link buyers and sellers, as well as to make the transaction and delivery processes as quick and painless as possible. Rarely have the words "point and click" meant so much to your bottom line. Another recent trend, the partnering of plant producers, maintainers and marketers, can serve you well. Not only do you get the plant, you get a variety of products designed to help you market it. Locations such as Proven Winners' Color Choice site show new "hot" shrubs and the like, as well as how easy it is to sell them. Of course, the internet gives you many options, some as simple as doing a Google search for "new plants." I did that and immediately discovered the New Plant Page, which is a resource for new and rare ornamental plants provided by the New Ornamental Society. Given the obstacles you face — only some of which were mentioned previously — you can see how important it is to select, maintain, and sell the best plants. Thankfully, today's garden center operators have help at their fingertips — literally.

Speaking of help, have you ever had help finding good plants? Have you ever helped a peer improve the way he/she locates things green and colorful? We would love to hear your story. Just click here to go to our blog, where you can wax eloquent about this week's topic. Even if you don't go there, please be sure to go here, as in here below, where we review all the hot stuff going on in this month's issue of GCP&S.