The scoop on 'Vanveen Bulbs International'

I order a few bulbs once a year from VanVeen, but this winter I placed a larger order.
Unfortunately I typed in my credit card number wrong, and Yolanda Wilson (owner) called me and corrected the mistake- then we chatted about bulbs for a half an hour!
She really impressed me with her knowledge and passion, what a nice lady.
I was so happy when I received my bulbs- they were huge, and Yolanda threw in a few extras- which gave me new plants to try.
I'll use her more often in the future- their prices are really good, almost cheap! And bulbs are really nice.
It's also nice to have the personal touch of a small business, you know you're more than just a number to them! Big businesses may be able to give you fancy websites and discounts, but a small business owner that actually grows the bulbs she sells is a treasure! A DG type of business.

As an Essex County (NJ) Master Gardener, and a passionate Naturalist...I rely on Dave's Garden website, and my peers who also use this site, for info, advice and purchasing. Yesterday, in desperate need of large quantity of Stargazer and Casablanca bulbs for a wedding in three weeks, I contacted Vanveen's based on the positive reviews here. I had already exausted all of my 'tried and true' resources with no luck.

Not only am I going to receive exactly what I need within the week...but the owner called me personally to expedite and assure! I have dealt with over 20 different mail-order plant/bulb sites in the past...for huge Spring/Fall Bulb school fundraisers, large commercial plantings, public gardens, etc. Vanveen's pricing, service and availability out-shine even the best that I have purchased from in the past.

Thank you to Dave's Garden, and most of all thank you to my fellow gardeners for taking the time to post your experiences. And thank you Yolanda Vanveen for reassuring the Gardening Community that there ARE wholesome, honest suppliers in an electronic market, when just about anyone can 'claim' to do the same! We've all had to 'kiss' quite a few 'frogs' before finding a 'Prince'...(or Princess in this case!)

-Deborah MacEvoy Jacobsen

First time to order from them was this spring. I had also ordered from a couple of "Top Thirty" suppliers. Though their selection is somewhat limited, their prices are far better than the other two companies. More importantly, the size and quality of the bulbs in the shipment I received were markedly better than from the other two venders. I have not used the names of the two because I feel that their quality is exceptional also and I don't feel that this should be a who's best forum. I will continue to order from the others in the future. For price and quality (bang for the buck with extra bang , as it were), I will certainly check the offerings at Vanveen's in the future. If they stock it, I'll probably go there first. I simply could not believe the size of the Amarcrinum they sent...twice as big as from the other company.

I ordered very late gladiolus and toad lilies. When my order arrived, they had sent about 3 times as many glads as I ordered, as well as several extra toad lilies. All the bulbs were very healthy and well-packed. None have had time to come up yet, so I can't speak for the color or anything, but I was very pleased that Van Veen sent so many extras. Will definitely order from them in the future.

Wonderful company. I ordered 10 ismene calathina, yellow peruvian daffodil's. Their offer was 5/$10, 12/$20 etc. Well I ordered 2 offerings of the 5/$10 which of course was $20 and didn't pay any attention to the 12/$20 (very silly on my part). When I received the bulbs I was short 4 bulbs and only received 6....I immediately e-mailed the problem and they promptly answered with an apology...and wondered why I hadn't ordered the 12 or $20 instead of the 10 for $20...which then made me realize my mistake...to make a long story short...they sent me 8 more bulbs for a total of 14...and a personal phone call from the person who filled my order apologizing for his mistake. The bulbs were huge and very healthy. They're blooming right now and gorgeous... Will put them on my list of future purchases!

Superb bulbs, and at the lowest prices I've run into yet: 12 red picotee lace begonias for $10, for example. This nursery definitely will be added to my permanent list of suppliers.

My experience with Vanveen Bulbs was absolutely delightful.
I spoke with them on the phone, and they were so nice and helpfull it was almost like talking to an old friend.
I needed 100 bulbs in a hurry as a last minute Christmas present and they had them sent out that same day (and I didn't talk to them until the afternoon). They even offered them to me at a better price than was listed, since I was buying 100. They offered to make me a deal on some additional bulbs, which I declined, but I did order a few bulbs for myself which they told me they would send to me at the proper planting time for spring. I just received those bulbs and will be planting them tomorrow. Vanveen is 1st rate in my book.