Wayside Gardens: A South Carolina Florist with Roots in the Lowcountry

What Wayside Gardens offers and where to find it

Wayside Gardens is a mail-order and online nursery based in Hodges, South Carolina, in Greenwood County in the state's midlands. The company specializes in perennials, shrubs, trees, and gardening supplies shipped directly to your door—not a traditional brick-and-mortar florist shop where you walk in to buy a bouquet. If you're looking for cut flowers for an event or arrangement, you'll want a local florist instead. If you're planning a garden, building a landscape, or looking for plants to grow at home, Wayside Gardens is worth exploring.

The nursery has been operating since 1987 and maintains a catalog—both printed and online—that changes with the seasons. You can browse their current inventory on their website, place orders online, and have plants shipped to South Carolina addresses or anywhere in the continental United States. The company focuses on hardy perennials suited to different growing zones, ornamental grasses, flowering shrubs, and trees that thrive in the Southeast.

Key Takeaways

• Wayside Gardens ships plants and gardening supplies by mail order, not a florist that arranges cut flowers for events.
• The nursery is located in Hodges, South Carolina, and has been in business since 1987, specializing in perennials and shrubs.
• You can order online through their website and have plants shipped to your home in South Carolina or across the continental United States.
• The catalog changes seasonally, so the plants available in spring differ from summer or fall offerings.

How to order plants and what to expect

Orders are placed through Wayside Gardens' website or by phone. You select plants from their current catalog, add them to your cart, and proceed to checkout. Shipping costs vary based on the size and weight of your order and your location. Most orders ship within a few business days during the active growing season, though timing can be slower during winter months when many plants are dormant.

Plants arrive in pots or bare-root form depending on what you've ordered. Perennials and shrubs typically come in containers ready to plant in your garden or a larger pot. When your shipment arrives, unpack it promptly, water the plants if the soil is dry, and plant them according to the care instructions included with each variety. Wayside Gardens includes planting guides and care information with orders to help you succeed.

Types of plants available year-round and seasonally

Wayside Gardens carries a rotating selection based on the season. In spring, you'll find a wide range of perennials—coneflowers, daylilies, hostas, salvia, and ornamental grasses. Summer brings heat-tolerant varieties and plants suited to full sun. Fall is prime time for planting shrubs and trees in the Southeast, so the nursery stocks those heavily from August through October. Winter offerings are more limited but include evergreens, winter-blooming plants, and bare-root trees and shrubs for early spring planting.

The company also carries gardening supplies: soil amendments, mulch, fertilizers, and tools. These items are often bundled with plant orders or purchased separately. If you're new to gardening in South Carolina, the variety of plants suited to different zones and conditions—from shade-loving hostas to drought-tolerant sedums—makes it easier to find what will actually grow in your yard.

Pricing and shipping to South Carolina addresses

Plant prices vary widely depending on the species, size, and whether it's a rare or specialty variety. A single perennial might cost between $10 and $30, while larger shrubs or specimen trees run higher. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on your order weight and destination zip code. Orders to South Carolina addresses typically ship within the state's standard delivery timeframe, though rural areas may take slightly longer.

Wayside Gardens occasionally runs sales and promotions, particularly at the start of spring and fall planting seasons. Signing up for their mailing list or checking their website regularly can alert you to discounts. If you're ordering multiple plants or larger items, the shipping cost per plant decreases, making bigger orders more economical.

Caring for plants after they arrive

The success of mail-order plants depends largely on how you care for them after delivery. Unpack your order immediately and water any plants that feel dry. If you can't plant them right away, keep them in a shaded spot outdoors and water daily until you're ready. Most perennials and shrubs are forgiving and can wait a few days to be planted, but don't leave them in their shipping boxes longer than necessary.

Plant according to the depth and spacing guidelines included with each variety. In South Carolina's climate, spring and fall are ideal planting times because plants have time to establish roots before summer heat or winter cold. If you're planting in summer, water more frequently for the first few weeks. Wayside Gardens' website also includes growing guides for many of their plants, with information about sunlight needs, water requirements, and mature size.

When to order for South Carolina's growing seasons

Spring planting season in South Carolina typically runs from March through May, and this is when Wayside Gardens has the widest selection of perennials and annuals. Fall planting season runs from August through October and is actually the best time to plant shrubs and trees in the Southeast because they establish roots through the mild winter. Winter orders are possible but limited, and summer orders work best for heat-tolerant plants.

If you're planning a garden overhaul or landscape project, ordering in late winter for spring delivery gives you the most options. For shrubs and trees, ordering in late summer for fall delivery is ideal. The nursery's website shows which plants are currently in stock, so you can check availability before placing an order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to order a minimum number of plants?

No minimum order is required, though shipping costs are more economical when you order multiple plants together. A single perennial can be ordered and shipped, but you'll pay a flat shipping fee that makes larger orders a better value per plant.

What if my plants arrive damaged?

Wayside Gardens stands behind their shipments. If plants arrive damaged or dead, contact the company with photos and details about the condition. Most nurseries replace damaged plants or issue refunds, though policies vary. Check their website or call to understand their specific may provide before ordering.

Can I return plants if I change my mind?

Return policies for mail-order nurseries vary. Some allow returns within a certain window if plants are in original condition; others do not. Review Wayside Gardens' return policy on their website or ask when you order. Once plants are in your garden for a while, most nurseries won't accept returns.

Are the plants hardy in all parts of South Carolina?

South Carolina spans multiple hardiness zones, from zone 7b in the upstate to zone 8b in the lowcountry. Wayside Gardens' catalog typically lists the hardiness zones for each plant. Check your local zone before ordering to ensure the plants you choose will survive your winters and thrive in your climate.

How long does shipping usually take?

During the active growing season, most orders ship within three to five business days and arrive within a week. Winter shipping is slower because plants are dormant and nurseries stagger shipments to avoid cold damage in transit. Always check the estimated ship date when you order.