We can safely ship your plants, even in winter, to most any place in the world.  We guarantee safe delivery of all plants shipped by this means, even in winter  (from April 15 to October 30, we guarantee by priority mail as well).  Unless instructed otherwise, we ship all orders by Express mail from November 1 to April 15!  Safe delivery during this time is only guaranteed when shipped by Express mail!

Plants are shipped in insulated boxes, and cold-sensitive plants are wrapped with an extra layer of insulated foam.  Orders are shipped on the first available date when weather conditions are most favorable.  Most orders are shipped Monday thru Wednesday of the week following our receipt of your order, unless extreme weather prohibits this.  Most orders are shipped within 7 days.  Express mail means overnite delivery to most (but not all) areas within the continental United States.  Some remote areas may receive delivery on second day.  We ship only via US Postal Service (unless you can provide an account number with another carrier).  

A signature is required to accept delivery!  Please give us an address where you (or another) will be able to sign for the package.  Otherwise, you may need to pick up the package at your local post office.  You may waive the signature requirement, but we will not guarantee safety of plants when this is done!  It is important that the plants are not left outside in the elements in cold climates.

Safe delivery guaranteed at ALL times, even in winter!

Total express shipping  = $24 + .80 (# large) + .50 (# small)
Total express shipping begins at $24.00 per box**
For each "large" plant ordered, add $.80.  For each "small" plant ordered, add $.50.

Actual postage may differ from this amount--this also includes the cost of the box, insulation, and labor in constructing the package (i.e. "handling").  You'll also notice that there is a benefit to shipping more plants--since this spreads the initial cost over a greater number of plants.....

What's a "small" plant?  Most plants shipped in a 2" or 2 1/4" pot.
These include the following:
        Miniature African violets and miniature chimera violets
        Streptocarpus and petrocosmea
        Miniature houseplants for containers
       
What's a "large" plant?  All other plants (most shipped in a 2 1/2" pots)
These include the following:
        Standard African violets and standard chimera violets
        Alsobia, chirita, codonanthe, columnea, kohleria, and nematanthus
        Episcia and variegated episcia
        Hoya and all begonias (both small and miniature growing varieties)
        All other gesneriads and "specials" plants

You will not be charged to ship any "free" plants that may be included with your order.

An example:  Say you ordered the following
        1  Ma's Debutante  (a standard violet)
        1  Alliance (a standard violet)
        1  Columnea 'Orange Sherbert'
        1  'Rob's Love Bite'  (a miniature violet)
        1  Begonia 'Dollar Down' (a miniature begonia)
        1  Streptocarpus 'Bristol's Doo Wop'

Your express shipping charges would be = $24 + .80 (4 plants) + .50 (2 plants) = $25.20

**For very large orders (over 30 plants) an additional box will be necessary.  An additional $24 will be charged for mailing this extra box.

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