I used to buy live plants from Lowe's, but now they sell useless dormant plants that don't grow. There's a nursery within about 40 minutes that used to sell some nice plants, but they've gotten pretty bad about it... the first year they had a great display and I bought a couple then, now they have nasty looking plants with lots of junk on them, and their ponds are not very nice anymore.
So this year I did trades with people here and I think next spring I will do the same. I always have extra violet stem taros (I think I sent out 16 altogether this year) and so far everyone has loved them and can't believe how fast they grow...if giving a couple of them away gives me some lillies or floating plants....I'm all for the trade....keep it in the family, so to speak!