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Mail order companies 'Watchdog'

Waussie
21 years ago

This looks like a good idea, and relates to the suggestion/question below.

Garden Watchdog: Gardener's Buying Guide, 2002

Comments (33)

  • Sparaxis
    21 years ago

    Not too many Aussie ones there to comment on. Only 8.

  • Waussie
    Original Author
    21 years ago

    Thats because you didn't add them:)

    What I read there was enough to put me off ever mail ordering any plants.

    The only time I ordered bulbs they were pretty small, most didn't flower and none survived until the next year.

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  • Anna_B
    21 years ago

    A bit of a sweeping judgment on one bad experience. All of the responses seem to be about overseas companies and it would be a shame to base your opinion on these.

    From the link about mail order nurseries I think you will find that many people have had good experiences and I'm sure that this will help others to make a choice. In my dealings with various nurseries I can only say that I have been happy with my purchases and feel quite confident in dealing with them again.

    Quite often mail order is the only way of finding some of the more unusual and hard-to-find plants, so don't let this bad experience stop you from the joys of mail-order, and there are plenty of reputable and reliable nurseries out there.

  • Sparaxis
    21 years ago

    I have to agree with Anna, Waussie. I have had excellent experiences, and a few mediochre ones, from mail order nurseries I have bought from. You can buy cheap bulbs in K-mart, but the range is limited, and if you buy from an ordinary nursery, the bulbs are loose in open bins, and who knows who has had fun mixing them up.
    People in ordinary nurseries rarely have specialist knowledge, specialists such as like Barry Blyth from Tempo Two Irises, can give you the specific information you need, if you phone or write.
    Mail order also saves a lot of time you might spend trapesing around trying to find a particular plant.
    Cheers, Jan

  • annabel__WA
    21 years ago

    Some of the bulk and farm offers are small bulbs and the companies tell you before you order.I think other factors are at play, in my case snails!

  • corymbosa
    21 years ago

    RE: "What I read there was enough to put me off ever mail ordering any plants."

    'Review' or 'rating' sites based on customer comments are inclined to be heavily biased. You are far more likely to get people with bad experiences wanting to vent compared to those who have had satisfying, yet largely uneventful service. FWIW The majority of comments made on the Garden Watchdog site are positive! Its just the "these guys took my money, didn't send any plants and wouldn't return my emails" comments tend to have more of an impact.

    I haven't had a lot of experience with M/O plants but I have been impressed with the few companies I have dealt with (and I do continue to deal with them). Just as with standard retail nurseries, there are places which will sell poor quality plants or have appalling post-sale customer service but there are others that are quite exceptional. I just don't think it's the best idea to throw the baby out with the bath water due to one bad experience and a handful of bad camments on a website.

    Andrew

  • flytower_au
    21 years ago

    I do most of my plant shopping by Mail order,otherwise I would have little to plant. yes I have found over the years one or two very popular mail order nurseries have been very poor. But the answer is simple, Don't order from them again. Go to the ones you can trust. Obviously there are poor nurseries as well,with potted plants in pots far too small and completely root bound, its a case of buyer beware,know what you want,standard you want and stick to it.
    I received over 100 bulbs yesterday,most are in the ground by now,and I expect to have an interesting display of many flowers I have never grown before. I like experimenting. Judie

  • Waussie
    Original Author
    21 years ago

    I really don't like the idea that every individual has to learn by experience.
    It appears that those who know about good mail order sources don't want to share that knowledge.
    I think that the Garden Watchdog is a great idea, for those that are willing to share there knowledge, and those that are willing to learn from the experiences of others.

  • Sparaxis
    21 years ago

    I have no problem with sharing that knowledge, apart from lack of time. I agree - we shouldn't have to ALL learn from experience, but I have found that some people are extrememly happy with service that I am not at all happy with. So you can't really learn a lot from other people's experiences.
    Cheers, Jan

  • Marie_K
    21 years ago

    You can also have mixed experiences with one company. One that I've used was very good for seeds/bulbs/hardware, but not so good for live plants.

  • flytower_au
    21 years ago

    I have just read on another thread,or whatever you call it,that many people are very pleased with Tessalars,and yet I have had a lot of trouble with their bulbs and wont buy from them again. So its realy as has already been stated. everyones experience is different. Listen to others but be prepared to be disappointed/excited depending on circumstances. Judie

  • Snodge
    20 years ago

    I'm another who buys a range of plants mail order. I must say I've used a few and am yet to have a really bad experience. Once a small part of my order wasn't up to scratch but the supplier promptly replaced them, with an apology, when I let them know. I'm prepared to go on record and say I have successfully and happily patronised the following:

    Rainbow Ridge (Irises and Daylilies)(I'm a bit of a regular)a bit more expensive but everything always top quality on arrival. Generous with the freebies, which they select.

    Mountain View Daylilies (yeah my first order was post disease problems...poor buggers. I found the disease control they are required to use does slow up establishment a little, but god they're cheap..and they have varieties I haven't been able to source elsewhere, anyway, it's important not to boycott companies when these things occur, such a disincentive for reporting problems.)

    Honeysuckle Cottage (roses and perennials - very large range of both)(another one I deal with regularly). Extensive collections of Lavender, Violets, Salvia, scented "geraniums", agastache, mints, oregano,and Thyme, not to mention acquilegias, heirloom sweet peas, tomatoes...these guys are compulsive collectors!!! (if anything their mail order is better than buying at the nursery....which is an ill-kempt, mostly dead and weeds, jungle and NOT the acres of beautiful gardens discussed in the promotional material...the gasps from visitors they discuss in the discriptions probably have as much to do with finding something, not only alive but flowering under the conditions, as it does with the virtues of the variety itself...they do have an Albertine rose with a trunk like a tree...so big the pergola it is/was on has completely collapsed....worth seeing in flower and an object lesson in just how big and heavy they can get when left to themselves, I don't mind a "wild" garden, but this one is in a class of its own! Resources are evidently consumed elsewhere..where do they get their propagating material? Can't be from the "display" garden...very puzzling)Hope they've got plenty of public liability insurance... Worst thing....you have to buy the catalogues $3 for perennials; $3 for the rose catalogue..and beware these guys are VERY good at putting words together...they could sell ice to siberia in winter, and clearly adore every living thing they've ever set eyes on. I bought Fragrant Charm at Big W the other day, got home and looked it up in the catalogue. They only wrote "Kordes. Brilliant Red, very sweetly scented, profuse flowering. Very Healthy". I felt like I'd bough a dud!!!

    Diggers Club (hardware, books, plants, tubers, tree). Don't like the attitude. Not a problem with quality of supply or service, just the editorial. Self-righteous and superior, indiscreet, lacking in professional courtesy to horticultural colleagues. Don't seem to appreciate they have an obvious conflict of interest in the political line they promote...(and I'm not in...

  • Anna_B
    20 years ago

    Snodge, couldn't agree more with you about Honeysuckle Cottage. Better to visit during summer and when it's not raining as those paths can be hazardous. Probably be worthwhile to visit once just for the experience as even though the nursery itself is a bit 'wild and woolly' the sound of the bellbirds in the bush and the view over the valley is worth the trip. Also, you have to watch carefully as one blink and you miss it.

    I find that the attitude of the bloke there is a bit hard to take....not to forthcoming with advice and that advice is given grudgingly but the women (who I believe are lecturers at the local TAFE) are much better.

  • Snodge
    20 years ago

    Anna, the bloke is Keith McLeod would you believe!! I agree, he could use an attitude transplant. Well I guess arrogance is a common enough trait among academics. I hate asking anything when he is there. He's better via email, you can't hear the tone of his voice.

    First time I ever went there, it was also a drought and they'd only just put up the gazebo down the bottom of the garden (My first sniff of Francois Dubreuil...Wow!). It was quite promising, especially when you gave it the "benefit of the drought". I can't remember a year in the last decade when I haven't been at least once or twice, and it has steadily deteriorated. Even in the good rainfall years. Such a shame. Sometimes I've even fantasized about volunteering to work in their garden for nothing, it could be great, but I live way too far away for that. Perhaps that's the answer, open it as a community garden?

    This last time I went, there was almost no ability let alone motivation to get down past the shade houses. Dead roses all over the place, hardly a living deliberately planted anything. Just "paths" (and I use the term loosely) completely blocked by weeds and collapsed structures. But....as you say, the sound of the birds is really nice. The birds were better when they had salvia flowering all over the hillside. Still I guess it is hard, with no town water, such a slope, and so many other commitments....I think it says a great deal for their sales and descriptive ability, that it has taken me 10 years to actually decide once and for all that the promotional material about the delightful garden is indeed just promotional crap which I guess most of their customers will never actually discover..there are however, clear signs that they are beavering away on new paths and retaining walls in sections....

    ...to anyone yet to visit - GO! GO! I say, and make sure you read their material first....I guarantee their skill with the words will impress!! You never get even the slightest hint that they aren't deadly serious in their descriptions of their beautiful gardens that apparently make so many visitors cry and gasp with delight (I'm really not quite convinced they are cries of delight, are they sure it's not people making involuntary squeals as they nearly fall and break their neck or are almost strangled by some stray branch or vine?).

    There's plenty of time before Albertine flowers again, order a catalogue, give it a thorough read, and turn up to see Albertine, she really IS worth the trip, (and Anna is right, the birds and view are really nice and restful). If only they could get on the bus tour itinerary....it would make a stimulating diversion from the immaculate spring and autumn gardens one usually sees.

    And seriously, the mail order service is fine...just don't employ them as your gardener.

  • flytower_au
    20 years ago

    I have just received my mail order from Lamblets Nursery. Plants arrived in excellent condition,extremely well packed,and most are now in the ground. Just to say there are some very good nurseries out there. Judie

  • Maryanne_WAustralia
    20 years ago

    Snodge, your description of Honeysuckle Cottage Nursery did make me laugh, I last visited there about 15 years ago and both Mr. McLeod and the nursery haven't changed a bit :)

    Their advert states "This internationally recognised, award winning nursery and gardens in an 1830s mountain property contains huge offerings of heritage roses, rare herbs, heirloom flowers and vegetables and a gift shop" Mmmmmmmmmmmmm,

    I would recommend paying the money for their catalogues just for the experience of reading the lush descriptions

    I did buy mail order plants from them many years ago when they could still send plants to WA, their mail order service was very good.

    Judyth McLeod is a new writer for Gardening Australia magazine, she certainly knows about herbs.

  • anne50
    20 years ago

    There is nothing more exciting than opening a box of mail-order plants!!..and to be able to grow so many interesting things which are not available in nurseries. I have found all the nurseries listed under the australian nurseriesonline site (perennials) excellent.I am surprised noone has mentioned Norgate's Plant Farm, they send such generous clumps you can often divide them before planting and great quality too. Highview Garden Nursery is also excellent. Di's Delightful Plants have a huge variety, small plants but only a bit over $2 each. Montburggardens is similar with plants starting at $2 and usually establishing well. Try some out, you won't be disappointed!!!

  • GemenePop
    20 years ago

    I actually bought some Asiatic and Oriental Lillies from Teselaars via Mail Order, and not only did they arrive within 2 days (I put in my order on the Friday afternoon and they were here by Tuesday morning!) but almost all of the Asiatic Lillies needed to be divided straight away (and no, I wasn't just being overly keen!). I think I got about 30 bulbs from the Asiatics I divided, when I ordered 20. They were great looking bulbs, too.

    I have to agree with anne50: opening mail order plants or bulbs is exciting!!!

  • airlie
    20 years ago

    Delighted to read the opinion of Snodge with regard to the Diggers club, oh! that attitude, can't say I was very impressed with the (admittedly) few plants I purchased. I found their flower book to be difficult to understand, as some of the plants they reckoned to be suitable just won't grow up here, other sources are quite plain about that. Days of sunshine is a little misleading when you have to deal with other factors. Much prefer to read "suitable for Tropics" or suchlike.

  • Snodge
    20 years ago

    I feel obliged to report that I've been to Honeysuckle Cottage a couple of times since my postings above. They've had the good sense to employ a lovely young woman to serve the customers. She is really helpful and chatty. When she needs some expert input, she'll go off and find Keith and bring back the information, and as Anna said, the women there have always been OK. Perhaps a coincidence, but Keith has tended to disappear and leave the lass to what she is clearly very well equipped to do....liaise with the customers. This is an improvement on the past, when one felt that one was an interruption to their private chat. I have also found that on the occassion where there was just no option but stay and chat, Keith was perfectly pleasant.

    I can recommend anything written by Judyth McLeod, she is not only a talented horticulturalist, but a really talented writer. I've read and enjoyed:
    Botanica's Pocket Organic Gardening
    Heritage Roses; and
    Lavender Sweet Lavender
    I think I can attribute my rose passion to Judyth McLeods literary talents. Kmart's old roses bare root, opened the door, but I was "gone" when I read Judyth's book and Nancy Steens book (name escapes me).
    Also, I must say, you do find some interesting plants at the nursery, that you won't necessarily find in the catalogues. I recently picked up Penstemon Smallii, which is shaping up quite well, and I'm hoping might be almost as good as Penstemon "sky blue" as it's foliage is also different from the "common" penstemons. The lass warned that it is not like other penstemons which was reassuring. I can't find it in any books though. I can't find Salvia Dolicantha in any books either, not even in the Salvia texts or Sue what's'er'names website... still it seems quite tolerant of the heat we had yesterday, which is a good sign.....I don't know why, there's something addictive about the place....still a jungle...next time I go I'm determined to take a tape measure and I'll report the circumference of the Albertine's trunk....yeah...I'm obsessed....

  • Tamara_Central_Coast
    20 years ago

    Hi Snodge, P. smallii is a penstemon native to eastern North America; it prefers moist, cultivated soils. Mentioned in both Way & James and Nold. It sounds very nice! Don't know S. dolicantha - have you looked in Clebsch's new book? (It isn't in the old one, but the new one has 50 extra species listed). Am curious to know what it is.

  • Snodge
    20 years ago

    Thanks Tamara!
    yeah, I've checked the new edition of Clebsh's book, just briefly in the index though. I'm getting the book for xmas , so you never know what I mind find if I read the whole thing.... Do way and james mention how big Penstemon Smallii gets?

  • Tamara_Central_Coast
    20 years ago

    Nold writes that it grows to two feet and larger. James and Way indicate a similar height and, further, that 'for sheer weight of flower it must come high up in the league table of penstemon species'. Sounds like you've got yourself a great plant !

  • lesleymj1971
    19 years ago

    Has Anyone bought an "Aussie Shadehouse" from the company by that name?
    The one I've been in touch with is from Noosaville in QLD?
    Would appreciate feedback.
    Lesley

  • Snodge
    19 years ago

    I'm happy to confirm penstemon Smallii does seem to be a great little plant. It's got through very dry conditions without complaint and is very happy now with moisture and heat and flowering away.

  • sybille7
    19 years ago

    I am surpplier and buyer I have to say it is sometimes shard to satisfy customers as there are a lot of different ones out there(as you mentioned before), but we try and everytime a customer replies and says how happy she/he is with our plants I am happy too and this keeps me going. And I think it is courtesy to replace damaged plants also if they were damaged through the post.

    As a buyer I have to say I was dissapointed about a lot of nurseries, thats why I started my own, and especially, to get notified when they have recieved my payment and when I can expect my parcel, but when the plants are arriving in time and are happy I am very pleased.
    I like granny smith nursery, I think they are in tasmania. and guruna nursery, sydney, which is a very young nursery so they still have some problems with packaging, but the guy is so helpfull and replies to a lot of questions also if they are stupid ones, and he has always time and takes time to satisfy customers.
    And he has a very nice range of plants. Not to forget about this.

    Thats the only two nurseries in Australia I deal with (mailorder), the rest I import. Its a pitty I would like to spend my money in australia, and sometimes I prefer the hassle with AQIS instead of the hassle with arrogance and bad manners.

    Sorry about my english therefore my partner does the customer service. ;)

  • annette68_gw
    18 years ago

    I live in Townsville and I also use mailorder nurseries especially the one in Victoria, Montburg Gardens I mainly order salvias and I have no complaints , the plants arrive in good condition and within 2 weeks they have doubled in size. I love mail-ordering plants because the nurseries here are so run of the mill been to one you have been to them all.

  • annabel__WA
    18 years ago

    I have bought from the two you mentioned, sybille7, and find them very helpful. Admittedly being in the West I mostly can only get seed from Granny Smith's Garden, and from Guruna, smoke starter recently, and yes, he too was very friendly. Had a reply to my post almost immediately. I use mail order nurseries to get what I can;t get locally or from seed, but have had mixed bags which could just me me putting things in the wrong place for my climate.

  • GarryK
    18 years ago

    Judie,

    I'm with you about Lambleys Nursery. Never had a problem with mail order and always great quality and service.

    Garry

  • Snodge
    18 years ago

    Can you supply contact details for Guruna nursery please. That's a new one on me, and if their customer service is good, I'd like to support them.

  • annabel__WA
    18 years ago

    http://www.guruna.com/
    Here is is, snodge

  • Anna_B
    18 years ago

    Guruna is certainly one to add to my list, especially as they have an interesting selection of native plants. Another reason I find it interesting is that I am a frequent visitor to the Marrickville Community Centre as that is where the Reverse Garbage is. Reverse Garbage? I know it sounds weird but it can be a veritable treasure chest. Here manufacturers and businesses can send unwanted items instead of dumping them.

    Last time there I bought 100 sheets of a shiny art paper for $1.00. These will make wonderful wrapping paper for Christmas, especially with the packets of gold stars which were 3 for $1.00 (they were the ones that were on a magazine - BH&G, I think - one christmas).

    Mr. A & I love this place.

    Anyway, I digress. I haven't been to the markets on the Sunday but will certainly be doing so now.

    Thank you for the heads-up.

  • carine63
    11 years ago

    In regards to Honeysuckle Cottage, I have had an incredibly bad experience with them. I ordered from their website and on delivery, many of the plants were either far too spindly even to prune back safely or too meagre and upon planting indeed some died as they had hardly any root system (or foliage for that matter) to survive and fell apart into nothing in my hand. I have tried emailing them repeatedly to no avail. I have also been unable to contact them by phone.
    It has been a true nightmare!

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