The scoop on 'Digging Dog Nursery'

Company Profile   Digging Dog Nursery Mailing Address: P.O. Box 471 Albion, California 95410 (United States) Phone: (707) 937-1130 Fax: (707) 937-2480 » E-Mail them » Visit their website Recent reviews: Past month Past 6 Months Past 12 Months Positive 3 4 8 Neutral 0 0 0 Negative 0 2 2 This company offers a variety of plants. This company specializes in: Plants: Drought-tolerant Plants: Wildflowers/Natives

Feedback History and Summary   60 positives 2 neutrals 4 negatives

Comments:

Rating Author Content Positive haika (12 reviews) On June 29, 2009, haika Snohomish, WA wrote: I go back to this company again and again. In general, the plants are well sized and are securely packaged. My first orders were placed in 2007 and I've made several orders since then. I wait for the clearance/special sales and find them competitive with other mailorder nurseries. The shipping is typically competitive as well, but I only live a couple states away and am comparing them to other west coast mailorder sources. Right now I'm waiting for my 2009 Father's Day 15% off order (grin). The only negative I can state is that they offer some really nice plants that are not hardy in my area so I need to be very careful not to be seduced by their descriptions and buy another plant that needs to be lugged into the garage every time the temperature plummets (sigh). Positive suscwbuff (5 reviews) On June 18, 2009, suscwbuff Robesonia, PA wrote: Last year I placed an order and included in that order were 8 Mavis Simpson geraniums. Their website stated they were hardy to zone 5. I am zone 6 so I ordered them. None of the 8 grew this year. I've been reading about geraniums and I have found that Mavis Simpson is a tender perennial and a wonderful geranium specialty company has them listed as zone 7. I guess I know why mine didn't survive. I emailed the company to let them know the information for this plant is incorrect and had it been correct I never would have spent over 50 dollars for 8 geraniums that aren't hardy to my area. I feel the least this company could have done was respond to my email. Since I have heard nothing I decided to include a review on this site. On June 26th, 2009, suscwbuff changed the rating from negative to positive and added the following: I did receive a check in the mail today compensating me for the Mavis Simpsons and an apology. Positive diggindragon (1 review) On June 08, 2009, diggindragon Newark Valley, NY wrote: They shipped my plants from California to New York. 3 days in a UPS box, and they weren't even WILTED! Every specimen I've ever purchased from them has come back like gangbusters the following season. I've even found plants I've never heard of before - making my upstate NY garden very unique. My neighbors are green with envy. This is simply the BEST mail order nursery I've ever dealt with. Positive coinaltar (1 review) On May 22, 2009, coinaltar Fort Bragg, CA wrote: Absolutely Fantastic!! The Plants, The People, The Service!! Everything Is Great!! Negative dthomas979 (4 reviews) On April 06, 2009, dthomas979 Saint Charles, MO wrote: Wow are the people here crazy or what, they get taken on shipping and rate this company as positive, I saw all the positive ratings and thought I would give them a try, my 32 dollar order had a 29.90 shipping charge with handling to Mo. That is a complete ripoff, it's insulting. There are many good companys that aren't on the top 30 that don't rip you off on shipping. Stay way unless you like the people your ordering from laughing all the way to the bank. Company representative comment on June 26, 2009: On Jun 26, 2009 10:01 AM, Digging Dog Nursery responded with: We are sorry that the person from Saint Charles, MO expressed concern about our shipping costs. We wholeheartedly assure this person and all who are reading this rebuttal that we are not 'laughing all the way to the bank'. Since we are a small family run business, we are not eligible for the substantial discounts that larger mail-order businesses receive from UPS. As we are all aware, fuel costs have both fluctuated and risen dramatically over the past few years. These events and recent trends have led freight carriers to impose increasing fuel related surcharges on their customers. Digging Dog Nursery has been absorbing these incremental costs for some time now. In fact, Digging Dog Nursery has barely raised their shipping costs since 2003. After careful research, we found that a $50.00 order sent UPS AIR does average around $25.00. To offset, the UPS air charges for small orders, we are now offering PRIORITY AIRMAIL VIA THE POST OFFICE. Attentive personal service, eco-friendly nursery practices and choice hard-to-find plants that are not only well grown, but grown with a lot of love is what kept loyal customers ordering for nearly twenty years. Negative Vicky_D (2 reviews) On April 06, 2009, Vicky_D Pompano Beach, FL (Zone 10a) wrote: I read some positive reviews about Digging Dog so I wanted to give them a try. When I was ready to order, I saw a notice that read "At present, we are unable to ship to Florida, Hawaii or anywhere outside USA." It should read "unwilling". I emailed the company to ask when they will be ABLE to ship to FL and the reply I received was "Sorry, the state's agricultural regulations are so strict, it simply is not worth it." I for one would not feel comfortable purchasing from a company unwilling to meet the strict agricultural regulations of any state. What does this imply about their quality standards? High Country Gardens is willing to meet Florida's strict standards ( I've made over $500 worth of purchases from them so far) so my confidence and customer loyalty stays with them! On a side note: some of the zone information included with each plant is incorrect. Lavenders are hardy to zone 10/11. Positive JamesCO (13 reviews) On November 22, 2008, JamesCO Grand Junction, CO (Zone 7a) wrote: Brilliant. Perhaps the finest plants I have seen, betraying what must be well-adjusted specific and individual care. They are lush and noticably thick-stemmed. The company was very accomodating as far as shipping plants in early winter. Under all of this, they offered not one, but five specific and hard-to-find plants I was seeking, at a price that makes me wonder how they survive. Positive sandnsea2 (18 reviews) On October 06, 2008, sandnsea2 Winston Salem, NC (Zone 7a) wrote: What beautiful, healthy and mature plants I received! Could not be happier with this source! Highest accolade! Positive Gardening_Jim (8 reviews) On September 03, 2008, Gardening_Jim Vancouver, WA wrote: I ordered a number of plants from them and they all arrived in great shape with nice tags. They are all up and running and look great. Positive Susi_So_Callif (2 reviews) On August 22, 2008, Susi_So_Callif Vista, CA (Zone 10a) wrote: I ordered 17 plants and got a virtually immediate response when it turned out that a couple were out of stock. I chose substitutes and they sent a shipping date with their confirmation. The plants arrived right on time and in excellent condition, beautifully packed and labeled. Best of all, they're having a sale for people affected by the drought and I saved 15% on my order. I'd definitely order again. Positive ElizabethAnneM (7 reviews) On June 20, 2008, ElizabethAnneM Birmingham, AL wrote: My first order with this company came right on time. The plants are nice. The packaging was great. Despite the heat, the plants were happy and moist. Customer Service took the time to call me with a question. Good experience. Just wish they had photos online. Would order again. Positive clareb (5 reviews) On June 14, 2008, clareb Vernal, UT (Zone 5a) wrote: Excellent customer service and great plants. You can't go wrong with Digging Dog. Positive dannygates58 (13 reviews) On May 11, 2008, dannygates58 Jefferson, NH wrote: Every year I order from Digging Dog and every year I recieve beautiful plants. This year was no exception. In fact I made some last minute additions and and all was shipped at once exactly on time. Packed well and amazingly healthy well rooted big plants. I could not be more pleased. Excellent company Positive amoraflores (7 reviews) On April 28, 2008, amoraflores Malvern, PA wrote: This is the second time I have ordered from Digging Dog and I am very pleased with their plants. They have a great selection and their plants have always arrived healthy. The plants I purchased and planted in the fall have come up nicely. I will continue to order from them. Positive Shellsfarm (4 reviews) On April 17, 2008, Shellsfarm Grass Valley, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: I had ordered 2 cistus plants and when they arrived their main stems were broken in half. My feeling was that the packaging was pressed down in a way that may have resulted in the damage. I was very disappointed since the plants were so healthy and even had buds on them. When I called the company, they offered to replace the plants, even though we both knew the broken plants would grow just fine. I felt that their offer was generous and very fair. The replacement plants arrived today and they are just as beautiful as the first and in one piece. Positive Em_CA (1 review) On March 13, 2008, Em_CA Fairfax, CA wrote: Great prices, beautiful plants... I just received my order from Digging Dog, placed way before the season. They don't have online order tracking like some of the bigger websites, but the plants I received were good-sized and healthy. For the prices, I was gratified at how well-established the plants were. Positive ncpepper (21 reviews) On January 03, 2008, ncpepper Pilot Mountain, NC (Zone 7a) wrote: Huge huge roots! Ordered some penstemons from DD and they arrived well-packed with the best root system I have ever seen. Will definitely order from this company again. Positive riolindarena (1 review) On September 27, 2007, riolindarena Rio Linda, CA wrote: I ordered four Brunnera (Jack Frost). I have been waiting for my area Sacramento, California to get them in for a few years with no luck. I decided to order from Digging Dog and wanted my plants ASAP. They emailed me quickly to let me know me know their concerns about the heat effecting the plants. I told them to send them anyway. The plants arrived early and packaged wonderfully. The plants had the perfect amount of roots, healthy, with great foliage. A+++ to this company. Positive Gerris2 (11 reviews) On June 23, 2007, Gerris2 Wilmington, DE (Zone 7a) wrote: I bought several Salvia species from Digging Dog Nursery. The plants arrived at the time I asked them to arrive. When I repotted each plant, each one had the most massive root system I had ever seen on a mail order plant (they were not rootbound). The plants were full of life, and I am enjoying the flowers very much. I highly recommend this nursery for Salvia purchases. Positive alaska1 (5 reviews) On June 21, 2007, alaska1 Anchorage, AK wrote: My first experience ordering with this company. Punctual shipping and good packaging. The plants were large. A great value. They have many unusual offerings for those looking for something a little different or hard to find. I will order again. Positive plantynut (4 reviews) On June 17, 2007, plantynut Merrick, NY wrote: I ordered 5 Helianthemums which are hard to find locally or through my usual mail order sources. Very healthy plants arrived a day ahead of the promised delivery date. There was an unexpected bonus in the root ball of one of the plants: a real live wriggling worm! That has to be a first. In addition, for the price I paid the plants were huge. I took a chance and figured they would be quite small. I was pleasantly surprised. This was my first order with this company and I look forward to more in the future. Positive drdon (5 reviews) On June 01, 2007, drdon Temecula, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: Timely shipping, good quality plants and interesting selections. These guys are great! Positive jennyblue2 (2 reviews) On April 14, 2007, jennyblue2 Earling, IA (Zone 4b) wrote: I was looking for some hard to find plants and had heard good things about Digging Dog here. I was very pleased with my order. Received promptly, well-packed and in excellent condition. I've never seen such huge root systems on a mail order plant! I do not doubt that these plants will take off and thrive in my garden! I will definitely order from them again. Positive Missyinbama (30 reviews) On September 21, 2006, Missyinbama Louisville, KY (Zone 6b) wrote: Just got my order today- nice, healthy well packaged plants. Shipping is ok, considering they made it across the country with no problem, and price is on average with other mail order nurseries. Although I may have ordered some plants that would do better on the west coast, (lavender) than in the heat and humidity of the southeast, sometimes I like a challenge. Negative paulusc (1 review) On August 14, 2006, paulusc Severn, MD wrote: On June 24, 2006, I sent an email to the company (business@diggingdog.com) inquiring about a hard to find shrub that I was very interested in ordering. The website showed it as being "Sold Out" and I asked when it may be in stock again and the price. Since I never received a response from Digging Dog Nursery, I found the shrub on another website and was able to order it there with no problems. Positive AHurst (1 review) On August 13, 2006, AHurst Menlo Park, CA wrote: I just visited Digging Dog Nursery over the weekend, and was very impressed, both by their plants and their beautifully landscaped surroundings. They have a wide range of plants (many which you don't see elsewhere) and everything was healthy, vigorous and picture perfect. The word which comes to mind is "cherished." I bought a few of these beauties and they are blooming already! Thanks Cat and Barbara for your help. Positive fruitlands (2 reviews) On August 04, 2006, fruitlands Jefferson, NH (Zone 3b) wrote: I found Digging Dog in a gardening magizine and am so thrilled I did. I went to their website after reading about them and was so impressed I immediatly placed an order ( after checking with Garden Watchdog of course !) My plants were delayed 3 weeks due to the hot weather. Each Monday someone from Digging Dog called, explained the sitution and explained the delay. What service!! My plants arrived today happy healthy and good size. I could not be happier and will shop Digging Dog much in the future Positive cupre (4 reviews) On August 03, 2006, cupre Albuquerque, NM wrote: Ordered a bunch of Cistus. They came very well rooted and looking healthy. One even had flowers on it. They were well packaged. Shipping was rather expensive, but about the same as other companies. I'd order from them again. Positive juniper_kmd (1 review) On June 23, 2006, juniper_kmd Pasadena, CA wrote: My plants arrived from Digging Dog yesterday: healthy, large, beautifully packed, and on time. From the website to the customer service to the arrival of these lovely grasses, this has been a very satisfying experience. Although website ordering is easy, I encourage you to call your order in to benefit from the friendly and knowledgable staff. Positive fwolfe (3 reviews) On May 05, 2006, fwolfe Wichita, KS wrote: Great catalog. Great plants that were well-packed and shipped on time. Overall, a perfect experience. Positive ahelms (42 reviews) On April 15, 2006, ahelms Kannapolis, NC (Zone 7b) wrote: I just received my order of five Phygelius plants. They look great. I'll definately be a repeat customer. Positive kimberf (11 reviews) On November 06, 2005, kimberf Palo Alto, CA wrote: Ordered a selection of plants from Digging Dog earlier this year: campanula, ajuga, columbine, etc. All looked great, with healthy root systems. They've all settled in well and are thriving. I will order from them again. As one other person commented, it would be nice to have pictures on the website, but I just keep google open in another browser window and search for pictures as I browse. Positive hopseapoo (3 reviews) On July 28, 2005, hopseapoo Ben Lomond, United States wrote: My order was packed very carefully, every plant was watered well before shipment and in great shape on arrival. Thanks Digging Dog Neutral wagneramy (6 reviews) On July 15, 2005, wagneramy Santa Cruz, CA (Zone 9a) wrote: My plants arrived in good condition. Some of the plants were a little smaller than expected, especially the dierama. Positive paste592 (2 reviews) On July 07, 2005, paste592 Westminster, MD (Zone 6b) wrote: In early April 2004, I ordered 4 hakonechloa from this company. That particular grass is hard to find, but not impossible -- I also ordered 4 others elsewhere that same week. A week later they told me it was sold out, and offered a substitute, which of course I declined. They then promised shipment in early June. On July 7 I received an email thanking me for my recent order (?) and telling me that they were shipping on July 19th, and informing me that since it was hot, shipment would be at my own risk!! (This is $50 worth of plants!) So I cancelled -- it looks like the other four I bought from a more conscientious seller will be ready to divide by then, anyway! All this trouble could have been avoided by simply posting "sold out" on the listing, -- I'd have bought the others from the other source. I note from other comments here that this is their common practice. On July 28th, 2005, paste592 changed the rating from negative to positive and added the following: Changing this rating certainly makes me feel better: The company more than \"made it right\" by sending a nice gift certificate. As a web seller myself, I know what kind of attention to detail it takes to keep good customers, and I appreciate Digging Dog taking this extra step. Positive unityNH (5 reviews) On June 03, 2005, unityNH Claremont, NH wrote: Lovely, healthy plants and excellent service. Positive jessmerritt (35 reviews) On May 28, 2005, jessmerritt Roswell, NM (Zone 7b) wrote: I ordered a few things and had a pleasant experience. Email communication was prompt. The plants themselves arrived swiftly, were very well packed and were very large and had impressively healthy root systems. I would definitely order from them again. Positive ianandsara (12 reviews) On May 17, 2005, ianandsara La Grange, IL wrote: We ordered a half-dozen bergenia Bressingham White last fall. Not only did they arrive in tip-top shape, but they also are thriving this spring. Positive SoCal (3 reviews) On May 15, 2005, SoCal Huntington Beach, CA (Zone 10a) wrote: I place an order for 3 Salivia's and 2 Astrantia's last month. After receiving my order, they informed me that one of the Astrantia's would not be up and ready for shipping for another 2 weeks. They asked me if I wanted them to ship the partial shipment or wait for the whole shipment. I told them to wait until the Astrantia was ready and ship them all at the same time. When they gave me the date of shipment, I was not going to be here to accept the box, and asked them to ship the following week. They were very helpful and waited for another week. The plants arrived in wonderful condition and I was amazed at the root system of all the plants. I was very happy with my order and the communication that we had. I will order from them again. Donna Negative mathewpok (5 reviews) On May 04, 2005, mathewpok wrote: I ordered two clematis and three acer griseum from digging dog online. The clematis came well packed and heathly, however the acer griseum were sold out. I was not notified of this until I received an invoice with the shipped clematis, about six weeks after my order. As these tree's are only carried by a small handful of nurseries, by the time I knew about this I was not able to order them from another source. While I received an e-mail confirmation of my order, again they did not indicate that the acer griseum were unavailable. Company representative comment on May 20, 2006: On May 12, 2005 4:45 PM, Digging Dog Nursery added: Due to a cool spring, our new crop of Acer griseum has taken longer to root out than usual. Sometimes root development is beyond our control and we refuse to send plants that are not well-established. Please note that in our comments to mathewpok we wrote "We are sorry but the Acer griseum won't be ready to ship until the end of May. Please re-order at that time. We will waive some of the shipping and handling charges if you re-order. Deborah at Digging Dog

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