What company has sent you the best bulbs?

15 years ago

Hey all! Just looking for recommendations about which bulb specialist to order from...they all look so awesome, I'm having a really hard time figuring out who to order from!

Thanks for your help!

Featured Answer

ljrmiller

15 years ago

I think I'd have to say:

Old House Gardens and Odyssey Bulbs top my list. But these aren't the companies you use when you want hundreds of one variety. Telos Rare Bulbs has some cool offerings as well. The Lily Garden has to-die-for Asiatic, Oriental and hybrid lilies. These are serious specialist bulb companies with wonderful varieties for everyone from the beginning gardener to the in-need-of-rehab plantoholic.

For lots and lots of bulbs, my favorite three companies are:
John Scheepers/Van Engelen, Brent and Becky's and Colorblends.

There are some companies in the middle ground, not as good as those three, but basically okay. White Flower Farm, McClure & Zimmerman and High Country Gardens are in this group.

In the sometimes-you-get-lucky and get good product are: Wayside Gardens/Park Seed/Jackson and Perkins, Burpee, Bluestone Perennials (their plants are great, but their bulbs aren't as reliable), Dutch Gardens and Van Bourgondien (but avoid their plants, bareroot or otherwise).

Then there are the avoid-at-all-costs places: Michigan Bulb and TyTy/Aaron's in any incarnation.

If I didn't list a company, it probably lands below the middle-quality companies and above the avoid-at-all-costs companies OR I haven't ever dealt with the company. The reasons for not getting a top or even a middle rating vary; sometimes the bulbs are overpriced for what you get, sometimes the bulbs are of excessively poor quality, sometimes customer service is truly awful, sometimes a company just won't provide the bulbs in a timely fashion.

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Comments (16)

patwood
15 years ago
Brent & Becky's
John Scheepers/Van Engelen
Netherland Bulb
Costco (nice bulbs, best prices, limited selection)
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ctreynard
Original Author
15 years ago
WOW, ljrmiller! Thanks for the comprehensive post! This newbie appreciates it! :)
honeybunny442
15 years ago
I've gotten great bulbs from Brent & Beckys over the years, but I also ordered some variegated Elephant Ears which turned out to have no variegation at all. pfft.
I also like McClure and Zimmerman.
This year I also got some huge bulbs from American Meadows and Blooming Bulb. I wasn't expecting much, but they were huge and healthy.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
15 years ago
I've been very pleased with both Brent and Becky's Bulbs and Buggycrazy Bulbs

Sue
ankh
15 years ago
A second big thanks to ljrmiller. I was looking at Scheepers/Van Engelen's catalogs last night, wondering whether to attempt a large naturalizing project this fall or not - your rankings are very helpful!
DYH
15 years ago
What about Easy to Grow Bulbs? I like the looks of their selections, but haven't placed an order.

Thanks,
Cameron (usually on Cottage or Carolina Forums)
georgia-rose
15 years ago
Easy to Grow Bulbs is a Watchdog30 company, which is a very high rating.
Have no personal experience with them. I usually order bulbs only from Van Engelen/John Scheepers. Stopped ordering from B & B several years ago, when they insisted on shipping per their schedule, instead of mine(which they had previously confirmed).
madbloomer
15 years ago
this is the year i first experimented with bulbs. bought some at YES! the Dollar Tree. They all bloomed beautifully!
they had gladiolas only. I paid $1.00 for 8 bulbs. They were mixed. these were also large blooms.

Guess where I'll be shopping next spring.
ctreynard
Original Author
15 years ago
I just bought lavender "provence". Andrew's Greenhouse (zone 5ish) recommended it as a heartier lavender. GL!

I have also seen some wisteria senisis at home depot. :)
DYH
15 years ago
I'm usually on the Cottage or Carolina forum, but since it's time to order fall bulbs, I came over here to check out information.

I decided to actually put up a real POLL where YOU can VOTE for fall bulb companies on my gardening blog. It's an easy thing for me to create. Anyone can vote (for multiple companies, if you wish). Obviously, I can't list every single company, but I selected those that have been mentioned a lot, or came up a lot in web searches while doing my own shopping.

You can also see the results daily, but voting will close on August 20th. I'll leave the results posted for awhile.

Cameron

Here is a link that might be useful: poll for online fall bulb companies
jodik_gw
15 years ago
Over the years, I've purchased bulbs of all types from many different companies... my favorites include John Scheeper's, ColorBlends, and for perennials, Bluestone Perennials.

I've been pretty lucky with orders from Wayside, Breck's, Van Bourgondien, and even Michigan Bulb... although, their bulbs are smaller and you must wait an extra year or two for a really good show of blooms.

To be honest, I prefer to shop for bulbs at my local garden center... I can choose my own bulbs, and mix or match the types I want. I also save shipping costs.

Several of my gardening friends have ordered from Easy To Grow, American Meadows, Brent & Becky's, Jackson & Perkins, McClure & Zimmerman, Willow Creek Gardens, White Flower Farm, Blooming Bulb, Tulip World, Van Engelen, Dutch Gardens... and I'm sure there are others... all with good results.

I've also purchased bulbs from Meijer's, Sam's Club, Lowe's, Home Depot, Menard's, WalMart, DollarTree, and other local stores... I comparison shop for the nicest bulbs at the best prices. Some stores carry bulb types that others don't, etc...

The only company I've been told specifically to steer clear of is TyTy-Aarons, and not by just one person, either! From what I understand, they have a terrible reputation in business.

As a footnote - John Scheeper's and Colorblends both pack their shipments extremely well... I have been very impressed!
cynthianovak
15 years ago
I confess to planting about 2000 tulips each year. I have used Van Engelen for years. Last year tried Colorblends and loved them too! Brent & Becky's are great also. I also buy daffs and amaryllis.

Last year 2 varieties of amaryllis from VE only produced one stem of flowers. I told them and I have a credit waiting. That's good customer service.

For Big Box Buys, I've had the best luck with Sam's (don't have a Costco membership). I think here in Texas where it gets hot in the fall that buying from a retailer that keeps them inside an A/C'd store makes a difference.

My favorite tried and true from Sam's is the Banja Luka / Golden Appledorn mix. My WORST experience from Sam's was the tulips and glads in bags. On the other hand, the Elephant Ears and Caladiums in bags are a great buy and I've had them 2 years in a row with outstanding results.
gardenfanatic2003
15 years ago
I order from Brent & Becky's every year.

Deanna
Vitalik Tonenchuk
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
We order at https://dutch-bulbs.com
callirhoe123
3 years ago
Have used Van Bourgondien for bulbs and plants for years and never been disappointed.

What company has sent you the best bulbs?

ljrmiller

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What company has sent you the best bulbs?

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