Do you buy plants from catalog?

Discussion in 'The Village Square' started by koszta kid, Jul 2, 2012.

  1. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

    Joined:
    May 6, 2011
    Messages:
    2,151
    Likes Received:
    262
    Location:
    Iowa
    I have in past but not sure if I will any more.It was the way they was packaged this spring. Delivery truck flying down the gravel road. Lot of dirt was in bottom of box.I quickly planted them-white cone flowers. Gave them good drink. Should have done CPR also-some didn't pull through. Last year packed with packing peanuts.Soil was still moist. I e-mailed them wasn't happy
     
  2. Loading...


  3. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2006
    Messages:
    19,634
    Likes Received:
    5,060
    Location:
    North Central Texas, Zone 8a
    Totally depends on the nursery. I have ordered from 5 different mail order nurseries and I especially love the way High Country Gardens in New Mexico packs plants!!
    I had to complain to another company in April, the Clematis got here completely dried out but they replaced it with another one that was very healthy but there were problems with a couple of other plants they sent...that company is on my "iffy" list for future orders. "If" they are the only place a plant is available then I will order from them again, otherwise it will be someone else.

    Unless the nursery delivered it to you, it was probably the Post Office, UPS or FedEx that needs to be told about the driver using your road as a race track. There are a couple of UPS drivers that barrel down our street thinking they are Dale Jarrett.
     
  4. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2011
    Messages:
    9,332
    Likes Received:
    4,857
    I do. I have to order for the fruit trees. there are none in my area that are certified as the retailer. they are only a retailer and the last time I bought a fruit tree from a local gardencenter/store it had borer in it and it died as soon as it leafed out. I pulled it out of the ground and returned it and that was the whole shipment story...MANY were returned due to the insect that it came infested with. They all died :eek: :( So I returned to ordering from the catalogs and have them delivered. I just ordered two pawpaws for next year. Since they only have spring shipment I just have to wait. I knew if I waited to order them come spring I would put it off or think I was spending too much money already, so I just am paying for them this year and will be surprised when they come, because I will have forgotten that I ordered them. :eek:
     
  5. Pianolady

    Pianolady In Flower

    Joined:
    May 2, 2006
    Messages:
    984
    Likes Received:
    356
    Location:
    Iowa
    No I do not. No matter how reputable the company, I feel like I get overcharged for a smaller plant than I could have purchased locally for less. The failure rate is also higher due to the condition the plant arrives sometimes.

    The one exception is bearded iris, which I purchase online without issue.
     
    stratsmom likes this.



    Advertisement
  6. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,404
    Likes Received:
    13,478
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    I order seeds and bulbs (garlic) but not plants. I haven't had good experiences with plant orders. However, I must say that if we didn't drive to Chamblee's Roses in East Texas, I'd order roses from them. I gave family members gift certificates for Chamblees, and all the roses are thriving, and my family is NOT known for their green thumbs!
     
  7. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

    Joined:
    May 6, 2011
    Messages:
    2,151
    Likes Received:
    262
    Location:
    Iowa
    I should have e-mailed them right away. But thought I could have helped plants.But I will bring their catalog if they send me one to Peck's in Cedar Rapids. And Most likely get same plant. I have not heard from them. Still will buy seeds- what I got from Johnny Seed all doing fine.
     
  8. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

    Joined:
    May 6, 2011
    Messages:
    2,151
    Likes Received:
    262
    Location:
    Iowa
    Did get e-mail will get refund. Plants would have been fine. Who-ever packed them did poor job. + Fed Ex. Going twice the posted speed limit. Getting better at growing by seed.Will do that also. And buy local.
     
  9. jakrum421

    jakrum421 Seedling

    Joined:
    May 27, 2008
    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Have you tried Spring Hill Nursery in Michigan? I have ordered from them in the past and had good luck. Also, Jung has a store in Sun Prairie (south-central) Wisconsin. They have a nice selection and carry many of the things that are found in their catalog. I'm not sure where you are in Iowa, but that could be a pleasant weekend road trip for you.
     
  10. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

    Joined:
    May 6, 2011
    Messages:
    2,151
    Likes Received:
    262
    Location:
    Iowa
    I have heard Jung nice place to go their nursery. I did order the white cone flower seed. Will try and winter snow some for next year.
     
  11. TheBip

    TheBip Young Pine

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2007
    Messages:
    1,889
    Likes Received:
    617
    Location:
    Columbus, IN zone 6a
    I order occasionally from websites. Recently ordered from Bluestone Perennials(normally expensive, but they were having an awesome sale) and Michigan Bulb. Not very happy with MB these days. Quality is going downhill. The rose I ordered was tiny! Didnt live very long. Also 2 plants were half dried out when they arrived, never recovered.

    The 2 plants I got from Bluestone are doing better. The heat and drought arent helping things though :/
     
  12. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

    Joined:
    May 6, 2011
    Messages:
    2,151
    Likes Received:
    262
    Location:
    Iowa
    I have not ordered from Michigan Bulb in years. VERY bad plants. I have had to water plants I got from local. But high heat and no rain.
     
  13. Mrs. Hankshaw

    Mrs. Hankshaw Seedling

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2010
    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    49
    Location:
    Savannah, Ga
    I have ordered seeds only. I'm thinking of buying some bulbs or live plants from a place near me called georgiavines. I'd really like a budleia and I've seen some on their site. If I can't find the perfect one on my next plant shopping trip I will order one.
     
  14. cherylad

    cherylad Countess of Cute-ification Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    May 5, 2009
    Messages:
    11,679
    Likes Received:
    3,099
    Location:
    S. Liberty County - Texas (8B)
    I'd like to add some Oriental Lilies next year. Can anyone recommend a reputable place to order some from?
     
  15. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

    Joined:
    May 6, 2011
    Messages:
    2,151
    Likes Received:
    262
    Location:
    Iowa
    I was going to ask same :?: about Asian lily. Got catalog. DH laughed at me-thought you wasn't going to buy plants. I have bought my tulips from Dutch Garden. The bulbs I got from them was HUGE.
     

Share This Page