I've been going through all the seed and plant catalogs arriving in the mail. Its always fun to look at all they offer. I have only purchased once via mail order, mostly preferring to buy locally. (I kind of want to see the merchandise) I'm talking plants, not seeds. I bought some Canna bulbs, and a Goatsbeard (bare root) They arrived when it was still so cold and wintery! The bulbs did not grow, the Goatsbeard is fine. Now, I know they are guaranteed, if you want to go through all that process... My question is, what experiences have any of you had, what companies have good quality plants? I'd just like to try something that isn't available in my local nurseries for the fun of it... I guess I'm just a little skeptical of buying through mail...Any thoughts?
For the most part I like to shop locally too. But the garden centers all have the same old plants, they just don't seem to be interested in making something new available. Most mail order plant companies will replace plants on your word....meaning you don't have to return the plant, just tell them they didn't grow. They don't want the hassle of receiving packages of dead plants and know that customers don't want to have to deal with packing one up and going to the post office. They don't loose any money because most customers won't bother complaining and they know it. Some bulbs I ordered last summer for fall planting came to me short two bulbs in each package and had a couple of brown dead ones. I emailed them about it and they sent me another complete order at no charge. Did you plant the Canna outside or inside a greenhouse? They are tropicals and are some of the last bulbs to show growth in the late spring in my yard.
I've grown many, many Cannas, but these were a cute, orange, dwarf variety... I planted them in ground as I always have. I probably could have put the bulbs into pots to wait for warmer weather, but I didn't... I really didn't pay much for them and I knew they'd replace them, but I didn't want to wait for them to send more. I'm just wondering about the companies that have good quality plants...
I know alot of people don't care for them but... I have bought many plants from Springhill and have had good luck with them..If something arrives dead or doesn't grow or even come back the next year I give them a call and they send a replacement when they are in season or even send me something else in it's place with minimal questions asked
Bluewolf- Thanks for your reply. I do have a Spring Hill sitting on my table... Also a Breck's, a Gurney's and a White Flower Farm... Oh decisions, decisions...
Seeing I am in zone 4 and most other zones get their plants before me, I always end up with small plants. Sometimes they make it, sometimes not and it is such a pain to wait for the following year to be resent, I have given up ordering and just buy from a local nursery. I ordered from QVC and got something from Cottage farms and the first year the bulbs didn't grow ...Tall dutch iris...and they keep sending the wrong thing in its place. I would plant what they send but they don't grow. So no more ordering through the catalogues for me..
When the shipping time is for where you live does affect the quality of the plants you get from the catalog places. You could try ordering in the fall, the gardeners up north get the fall shipments first since winter hits them sooner.
Sherry8, Thanks for your input... I guess I'm skeptical to order from the catalogs for those reasons you stated. I just wish the local nurseries would get some new varieties. They are so stuck into ordering the same plants every year. When I worked at one of the larger local ones, we made lists of plants we wished he would order, or plants that no one seemed to want any longer, but he never listened to us. There is a big grower about 3 hrs. northwest of me that has some good selections. Road trip?
If you want something different that your nurserys don't offer then you will have to order from the catalogues. I have had good luck with some and other times not so good. Bulbs are always pretty good...I like Brecks for bulbs.
I would say....take the road trip. Shucks Kay, if they don't have what you want, you can still mail-order the plants that you are looking for. I order plants through the mail each year, in fact I just got some Clematis plants in the mail this very morning. I far prefer buying plants that I can touch and visually examine personally...but if that isn't possible, I order from a catalogue. Good luck with your choices.
