| Rating | Author | Content |
| Positive | MulchingMan
Eugene, OR
(3 reviews)
September 27, 2012 | Here in the Pacific Northwest, it's often possible to grow plants that are native to the chaparral hillsides of CA (provided that our thick clay soil is sufficiently amended.) However, it's difficult to find local nurseries that carry these plants. So I decided to give Las Pilitas a shot.
I ordered a toyon and a golden currant subspecies that is native to temperate CA climates. They arrived in a small box, with bags tied around the root balls. I thought that this packaging was a little questionable (especially after I paid $33 for shipping and handling), but I can't argue with the results. Both shrubs were in good condition.
I also appreciate their planting instructions, though I think that they paint with too broad a brush at times (yes, you have to amend your natural soil in some cases). I had a question about their suggested watering technique and they responded to me in less than 10 minutes. Their web site is also very informative (and humorous at times).
Overall, I was pleased with Las Pilitas and would gladly do business with them again.
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| Positive | wagneramy
Santa Cruz, CA (Zone 9a)
(9 reviews)
February 9, 2011 | I ordered from Las Pilitas on Sat and my plants arrived in great condition on Tues. The nursery was in contact with me giving me advice on how and where to plant some of the more difficult plants. They were all natives so required different treatment than garden plants. I was very pleased with this nursery and will order from them in the future. They were very helpful. |
| Positive | mrs_colla
Marin, CA (Zone 9b)
(29 reviews)
August 16, 2007 | I haven't ordered plants from them (yet), but I called them up with a cross pollination question. The lady was very helpful and informed me very well, and I haven't even bought from them!
That, to me, is a sign of a good nursery where people care about plants and not just money!
Christie |
| Positive | floria
Athens, GA (Zone 8a)
(17 reviews)
May 3, 2007 | I ordered several plants this spring. The people there (Penny in particular) were extremely helpful. The plants were sent and arrived very fast and in excellent shape. How well the plants will fare - that is my own problem - after all, I am trying ]to grow California native plants in Pennsylvania! |
| Positive | cammywc
San Diego, CA (Zone 10a)
(1 review)
March 8, 2007 | I live in san Diego and go to the Escondido nursery a lot. They are always extremely helpful and knowledgeable. If I follow their directions, my plants are happy and thrive. If I don't, the plants are toast! I've learned by experience to do as they tell me! |
| Positive | mbgardens
San Jose, CA
(1 review)
March 2, 2006 | At first I was afraid to order for fear the plants would be crushed during delivery. But they have a clever way of packing the bagged rootballs like sardines in a box such that when I opened the 5 boxes after watching the UPS guy drop them upside down on the ground, all plants survived. I will be ordering again! |
| Positive | absinthium
Spring Valley, CA
(4 reviews)
February 18, 2006 | I go to the Escondido nursery at least once a year. The folks there are always very helpful. The plants are all mostly 1 gallon and being natives are small above the soil line. The roots, though, are usually perfect, filling the soil but not root bound. The display garden is developing nicely and is full a great ideas on how to use natives aesthetically. This year I bought several salvias, artemesias, penstemons and a buckwheat that may or may not like my particular climate. Very happy to have them in the county. |
| Negative | mary0114
Lodi, CA (Zone 9a)
(8 reviews)
February 17, 2006 | I received several plants from this company, most of which looked like they were on their last legs. The plants arrived sloppily packaged. Only a few survived. Would not order from them again. |
| Positive | Toyon
Oceanside, CA
(1 review)
April 23, 2005 | The Las Pilitas staff helped me with a school garden that is the envy of the campus! Their plants grow well in my yard too. The website is the best you can find, it is hard to get good info on natives so they provide a very valuable service! |
| Positive | KaperC
No. San Diego Co., CA (Zone 10b)
(11 reviews)
February 25, 2005 | We have purchased well over 100 plants from the Escondido site and can't recommend them too highly. The staff is very knowledgeable and willing to help. Do visit if you are in the San Diego area -- especially when the salvias are blooming, as the scents are amazing!
On May 8th, 2005, kaperc added the following:
Visited Las Pilitas Escondido today wearing my DG shirt. Morgan and Val were very pleased with the comments and said thank you to everyone -- it meant a lot to them to hear their work is valued. As always, they were incredibly helpful and I came home with some good choices. |
| Positive | crystalspin
Santa Ana, CA (Zone 9b)
(1 review)
March 21, 2004 | Visited the company's Escondito site last spring (2003) after compiling a shopping list on the VERY complete and helpful website. Purchased some California native plants for my mostly xeric postage-stamp landscape. The proprietor was VERY helpful as well, with accurate advice even when advice was NOT to buy!!! Plants (even the ones that seemed small and 'doubtful') all did well in their first year. |
| Positive | pale_saint
York, SC
(9 reviews)
January 2, 2004 | we have ordered 3 times from this company and can't be more pleased. they have very good xeriscape plants and california natives. we have lived in california and successfully grown penstemons and salvias from them in the central valley. we now live in south carolina and the salvias (pozo blue) and penstemon (margarita BOP),that we ordered in spring 2003, have grown wonderfully here, too. can't recommend them more. |
| Positive | mikejan
Staten Island, NY
(24 reviews)
April 1, 2002 | Though I have not yet received the plants I ordered I feel they deserve a +++ becuase of the information about soil and mychorrhizae on the website. Must reading for every gardener. E-mail gets answered.
On April 28th, 2002, mikejan added the following:
Plants have been received and are in the ground. Ships via 3-day UPS so your plants arrive from the left coast in good shape. Ships gallon-sized plants which means good roots. There are pluses: California strawberry was actually 2 plants with many runners ready to spread. There was also a shrub seedling in the strawberries (which Bert told me about). The California rose also had a runner so it was like getting a 2-fer. Well worth the hefty shipping cost (you are warned in advance).
On July 4th, 2002, mikejan added the following:
After 2 nasty heat spells the plants are doing well. They are growing new roots and this is good as they must be shocked in the change in climate and soil. If you want California natives in your garden and are willing to pay the premium this is the place. |
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