Product Profile


Walters Gardens, Inc., the nation's leading wholesale perennial grower for over 70 years, has built its reputation on offering a wide variety of over 1,000 new and classic perennials of the finest quality.

Our product line consists primarily of generously graded bare root and plug perennials which are sold to independent garden centers, wholesale growers, landscapers, municipalities, and online retailer companies across the US and Canada.


Bare Root Liners

As the largest wholesale grower of bare root perennials in the nation, we offer a broad selection of generously graded bare root perennials.

Our plants are grown near the shore of Lake Michigan where sandy loam soil, moderate zone 5 temperatures, and semi-reliable snow cover provide ideal growing conditions. Most varieties are grown for one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until they are ready to be shipped.

#1 Grade Bare Root (G1)

The majority of our bare root product is sold as #1 Grade in multiples of 25, the ideal size for finishing quickly in 1-gallon containers or in 2-gallons if grown a little longer. (Peonies are sold in multiple of 10.) Most varieties finish in approximately 6-10 weeks, though finish times vary with variety, season, and growing environment.

Minimum Order: 1 box of 25

#2 Grade Bare Root (G2)

A select group of perennials are sold as #2 grade in multiples of 100, the ideal size for finishing in 1-quart containers in approximately 4-6 weeks or in 1-gallon containers in 8-12 weeks. #2 grade Hemerocallis and Hosta are sold as 1 eye/fan divisions from a 2 year field clump. The majority of our #2 grade Hemerocallis and Hosta are offered during our annual Summer Selections.

Minimum Order: 1 box of 100

#3 Grade Bare Root (G3)

Select Hemerocallis and Hosta varieties are sold as a #3 Grade division. These are some of our most popular varieties offered in an economical 1-3 eye/fan division of a two year field clump.

Minimum Order: 1 box of 250


Plug Products

Approximately half of our product line is grown in plug form under the controlled environment of our 14-acre greenhouse facility. Several sizes are available including 20, 30, 72, and 128ct plugs. The majority of our plugs are environmentally friendly Elle Plugs, while others are traditional plugs. The type of plug used is based on the specific needs of the plants.

Our larger 20 and 30ct plugs are well-suited to customers looking for faster turnaround times in larger containers. They are ideal for finishing in 1-gallon containers for sales the same season.  We also offer a number of perennial varieties in economically priced 72 and 128ct plugs which are ideal for growers looking to produce larger quantities of their best selling items at a lower input cost. They can be finished in 6-packs, quarts, or gallons for the following spring's sales.

We accept custom orders for 72s and 128s (minimums apply). Please contact us for details.

20 Count Elle Plugs

The majority of our greenhouse-grown perennials are offered in 20ct plugs. This includes hostas and other items that require a larger amount of soil volume and space to produce a top quality plant. We recommend finishing our 20ct plugs in 1-gallon containers. Most varieties will finish in 6-10 weeks. Miniature hostas sold in 20ct plugs are better suited to finishing in 1-quart containers.

Approximate Plug Measurements: 3¼" deep x 2¾" wide

Minimum Order: 1 tray of 20

20 Count Deep Cell Plugs

Deep cell trays hold loose fill plug liners and have the added depth some perennials need to encourage better root development. We recommend finishing our 20ct plugs in 1-gallon containers. Most varieties will finish in 6-10 weeks. Miniature hostas sold in 20ct plugs are better suited to finishing in 1-quart containers.

Approximate Plug Measurements: 4½" deep x 2¾" wide

Minimum Order: 1 tray of 20

30 Count Plugs

Some of our greenhouse grown perennials are offered in 30ct plugs. This includes perennials that are grown from seed and other smaller varieties that do not require as much soil or space to produce a top quality plant. We recommend finishing our 30ct plugs in 1-gallon or 1-quart containers. Quarts generally finish in 4-6 weeks and gallons should finish in 6-10 weeks.

Approximate Plug Measurements: 3" deep x 2" wide

Minimum Order: 1 tray of 30

30 Count Deep Cell Plugs

Deep cell trays hold loose fill plug liners and have the added depth some perennials need to encourage better root development. We recommend finishing our 30ct plugs in 1-gallon or 1-quart containers. Quarts generally finish in 4-6 weeks and gallons should finish in 6-10 weeks.

Approximate Plug Measurements: 4¼" deep x 2" wide

Minimum Order: 1 tray of 30

72 Count Plugs

72ct plugs are designed to meet the needs of growers who are looking for larger quantities of their best selling items at a lower input cost. They are automation ready and transplant quickly. They can be finished in 6-packs, quarts, or gallons for the following spring's sales. Our deeper 72ct plugs offer tremendous value!

Approximate Plug Measurements: 2½" deep x 1⅓" wide

Minimum Order: 1 tray of 72

128 Count Plugs

128ct plugs are designed to meet the needs of large growers who require big numbers of a select group of perennials with a low input cost. They are automation ready and transplant quickly. They can be finished in 6-packs, quarts, or gallons for the following spring's sales.

Approximate Plug Measurements: 2" deep x 1⅛" wide

Minimum Order: 1 tray of 128