Carol, although in business many years, I think most don't find them a reliable source for perennials. Little tip, shop locally when you can, our nurseries are struggling the same as everyone else in this economy and many are not making enough of a profit to continue. If there is something you can't get locally and must have, use only mail order vendors with flawless reputations.

I did buy a clematis from vanBourgondien many many years ago but clearly remember it - arrived about 2" tall with roots not much longer. It did live (possibly in part because of my mild climate) but took at least three years to begin to thrive.

Here is a link that might be useful: GW rate and review

Thank you morze,
They sure do put out a nice catalog,and you are right,i will shop local,thank you for the reminder.
Carol

Please check over to Bluestone Perennials or American Meadows. They are just a little pricier but their quality is way better. And if you catch them on sale, you'll get a deal even better than VB.

Stay very very far away from this company!!!

And stay away from WalMart for bulbs, too! They apparently toss just anything, any color into the bags. The labels are no guarantee of anything.

Sue

I hate this company. I ordered a clematis from them and they shipped it bare root. The thing never grew at all. It was dead on arrival. I hate bare root plants. It seems they ship mostly bare root.

i agree, not a good source. I suggest bluestone over them. Any any problems with plants, no problem bluestone replaces them.

I've ordered from them before too and it was hit and miss. Their pictures are prettier than the "toilet paper" plant/seed catalogs(I hate those thin catalog pages!)but the quality is about the same, well maybe one step above!! So if it's something you can't find anywhere else then go for it!! I ordered astrantia(masterwort)and came out on top of that one!
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I was supposed to get Roma,Ruby Wedding,and Snow Star but it seems like there's only Roma though. The lupines never made it,neither did the calla lillies or four o'clocks. Not their fault,the plants arrived ok or I would have called and complained!!LOL!! The Climbing Hydrangea is only 4-5 inches tall, still. However the lilies were fantastic!
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The coneflowers are from Jungs-another hit and miss..
The sedum from Van Bourgondien was supposed to be Stardust but looks more like an Autunm cross.
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Black eyed susan from Van Bourgondien
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They had to send replacements for the pandoras box daylilies and the hardy geraniums.
So it's hit and miss!
-B

I know they dont have a good rep but would i be taking a great risk if i only ordered bulbs. The offer is soooooo tempting.

i ordered from their 'end of season' sale (#1 plants my a**), and they sent me little plastic baggies of dried dirt and dried up roots and the bulbs were either soft or dried up, too. not a good experience. i asked to be removed from their mail list and continued to get catalogs (at least 4) AND emails (lots and lots). i wouldn't bother.

I have only ordered Dahlias from VB because VB is only one of a few companies that offered the Karma series. The tubers were fine. When I had problems, VB replaced them without fuss. I have not ordered anything else because of bad reviews on the Dave's Garden:
Karma Sangria:
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Karma Fuchsiana:
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Karma Naomi:
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Karma Corona:
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My experience mirrors most of the others-pathetically small bare root plants that may survive. Based on my experience with them, I would avoid them like the plague. There are tons of other places that sell higher quality plants for the same price.

Gorious dahlias!

WOOOOOOOOO,
Love your Dahlias,so pretty.
Carol

Thanks. These are only a few Dahlias among the 13 5-gallon bucketsfulls of tubers. I planted over 50 clumps and saved all the tubers although I don't have room to plant them all.
Would you like some? I can send them over in spring for postage. :-)

pitimpinai,
Are you asking me?Carol?
Oh goddie,i hope so,sending you an e mail.

à¹à¸µYup, for you, Carol, and anyone who is interested. :-)

Pitimpinai, I'm gonna jump in here and wave my arms wildly to get your attn to see if you have any left you'd be willing to send for postage in the spring?? LOL I couldn't help but jump in on this one.. :D Pls let me know. I'll be starting my first year w/ dahlias this season and those are just drop dead gorgeous!!!

Love the pics in here, makes me so wistful for Spring!

~Wendy

I too have had bad experiences with this company. If you do a google search and just type in the name, you will see garden watchdog has something like 145 complaints against the company. And often, the complaint is related to the $25 deduction not being given. I would recommend a company called "Bloomingbulb.com" which is also a "cheap" source of a lot of bulbs. They have been very responsible and you will see on garden watchdog, they have very few complaints and many happy customers. Best wishes to you!