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This isn't the kind of place where you can just dash in, grab a tiny pot of geraniums and go on your merry way — that would be like driving all the way to the Grand Canyon, taking one snapshot, and turning around to go home.

Swansons' year-round nursery expands over five acres with pretty much everything that grows, anything to grow it in and any accessory you can think of. Among the forest of annuals, indoor plants, trees and shrubs, Swansons is most proud of its Japanese maple selection, perennials and more than 100 varieties of clematis.

It's also your friendly neighborhood pot dealer (no, not THAT kind) with more containers, culled from local artisans and direct from Asia, than pretty much anyone else in the city.

TIP: In September, there's a huge blowout on trees and shrubs, with 25 to 50 percent off. You can also check for sales in February and early March.

By Vanessa McGrady
Special to NWsource