Has anyone ever purchased perennials online?

Question

What was the quality of the plants like and was it worth it?

Answer 1

I have ordered literally hundreds of bulbs, roots and even apple trees from a few different companies on-line (I have a huge yard and love to garden). Some of the companies on line will guarantee their products. I have received a few plants that died and some seeds that didn't come up, but I called them and they replaced them for free...and one of them happens to be Michiganbulbs.com. All of these are "sister" companies, they're all easy to deal with. Also, I had no problems with them when they short shipped stuff, I again called them and they told me they would get them right out to me...and I got them :o)
one more thing...they will send you your plants only when the time is right for planting in your zone. You can find your zone on their websites or catalogs.

Answer 2

Actually it is not partially their fault just because they don't have a signer agreement. Just because you think they should. If they don't - they don't. The store sent to and the post office delivered to the address you provided. You knew there wasn't a signer agreement going into the deal. And you had difficulty before - so you should have been aware that there could be difficulty again. So you can't shift some of the blame. The post office is not going to refund your money. They didn't get your money in the first place. They did their job. By delivering to the address you provided. Whether the store does or not will depend on their policy. However, they also did their job by sending to the address you provided. So, really, if there is any blame and fault - it is yours. Sorry to sound harsh but you were the one to make the error. You also knew there wasn't a signer agreement. So how can you fault anyone else? Unfortunate but true. If your note is still on neighbor's door - maybe neighbor is out of town. At this point - about all you can do is keep trying to contact neighbor. And be more careful in the future.

Answer 3

Oh my gosh, yes! I love to order my perennials from Bluestone Perennials, Inc. They are located in Northern Ohio. Here's a link to the store: http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/index.html

They will ship to you the same plants they sell to nurseries, so they are small, and often sold in packs. I've bought probably hundreds from them. Since the plants are small, the shipping really isn't bad and I can tell you the money I save buying these smaller plants saves me tons of money compared to what I would pay buying locally, since those plants are more mature and much more expensive.

I get cases delivered to me. I admit, I can get carried away and then I'm in a panic to get them in the ground.

Bluestone offers a 100% guarantee on their plants. As with any plants I buy from anywhere, I do occasionally lose a plant, and they've sent me vouchers for replacements even a year after I bought the plant. You can't beat that!

Last year I took a weekend trip to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame (in Cleveland, Ohio). It was a huge let down, but fotunately I had planned a sidetrip for the way back home. Between Cleveland, Ohio, and Erie, Pennyslvania, there is a section of highway several miles long which is practically lined with plant wholesellers. My station wagon was filled to the brim by the time I got back home! Bluestone was one of the nurseries I stopped at. I can tell you I was impressed, but I actually like shopping that store better online or by catalog, because there is just too much there to get overwhelmed by, and since the plants are so young, nothing much is in bloom or even looks like the plant in the catalogs. I bought about 20 Clematis vines from them. (If you're ever in the area, you really must check out all the nurseries... it's soooo much fun)
Here's a map: It's north/northeast ohio mostly on route 20 If I remember correctly.
http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&q=nurseries&near=Madison,+OH+44057&sa=X&oi=local&ct=title
Also, for other things to do while you're there (like wineries)
http://www.milebymile.com/main/United_States/Ohio/State_528/United_States_Ohio_road_map_travel_guides.html

Answer 4

I have. I have had some good success with High Country Gardens and some ebay sellers. I have purchased from White Flower Farms too, and probably won't buy from Michigan Bulb again, their plants were tiny.

I haven't found that shipping charges make the purchases cost prohibitive.

I can buy things that aren't available locally. I bought some varieties of hydraganea last year off ebay and I still haven't seen these varieties here.

Good luck on your gardening.

Answer 5

purchased? no. Gardenweb.com has a free exchange forum and you can use their message boards to send perennials via the mail. A great way to save money and have fun looking for the perfect plant!
Works like a charm!

Answer 6

I tried once. We bought a butterfly bush and some mountain millet from the Michigan bulb company. Both died the first season but that might have been my fault.

Either way, I was not very pleased with the plants which arrived.

Answer 7

There are many reputable mail order garden sites. For a review of problems people have had doing this go to
The Garden Watchdog Guide to Gardening by Mail
http://davesgarden.com/gwd/
I have bought many of my roses online as well a sempervivums, bulbs, clematis, hostas, daylillies well you get the idea.

Answer 8

i've only gotten bulbs through the mail and u have to b very careful to make sure u live in the right zone for what they r selling. with s&h, i would think it would b more expensive. Stick to ur local nurseries where u can see what u r buying.