The scoop on 'Meadowbrook Nursery We-Du Natives (formerly We-Du Nurseries)'

I ordered 5 Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Henry Eilers" for fall planting recently. The plants were of respectable size, healthy and were very well packed. What impressed me most was the size of the root balls. They were of gallon size (depotted and root balls wrapped in plastic bags), well established and since I ordered the plants late in the year (for fall planting), a good root system matters most. I will definately order from them again.

I'm fortunate to live close enough to visit Meadowbrook in person, so can't comment on their packing or shipping. Have done business with them three times so far, and will certainly continue to visit them. The selection of native plants is excellent; they also have some beautiful imports, including a growing collection of dwarf conifers; and no invasives - really appreciate that! The plants are large, well-rooted, and always in excellent health; you plant them and watch them take off. This nursery is a real find, and I'd happily recommend them to anyone.

Feb 2006 - I called to ask when the nursery would open for Spring. They told me that they would open soon, but since they were on-site working, for me to come on in for a visit. What a delight! Ron and Jamie spent HOURS touring me over the facility. The plants were of fantastic quality. I bought 4 trees, and definitely plan a return visit when the perennials are ready for sale. They offer choice, rare items for excellent prices.

i received a large order today of native plants. i didn't know what to expect since this was my first order with them. when i opened the boxes everything was well packaged and the plants were WAY larger than expected. actually, had i known how large they were, i certainly would have had them shipped sooner than later. the buckeye....it was almost 4 feet high!

there was one broken plant and i called them immediately and was told a replacement would be coming asap. i found the communication with the company excellent. one thing i would suggest: if you're like me and place many orders and expect the same small plants that usually get sent, i'd like to warn everyone that is not the case with meadowbrook nursery! be prepared because when they say 2 gallon plants THEY MEAN IT!

i would not hesitate to order again from them.

Meadowbrook is a great Nursery. The Polk County NC Master Gardeners make a field trip each year with our Extension Agent to see the great job that they do propagating native plants -- no digging from the wild. Jamie Oxley has been working hard to properly identify many of the plants that were there when he bought the nursery. A lot of the original We-Du plants have labels that simply read "From JCR." JCR is JC Raulstron. The JC Raulstron Arboretum is operated by NC State University in Raleigh, NC. While I have never purchased a plant by mail, I feel comfortable that mail customers will get the same great service as we who are fortunate enough to visit the nursery.

We recently visited MeadowBrook and were extremely pleased with both the selection and the very fair prices on the plants. The nursery specializes in plants native to the area, but there are also special ferns, hostas, etc. We were most impressed with the high quality and excellent variety of native and other specialty trees. We came away with several (now, where, oh where, will we plant them?). The only "complaint" we had was that the LOVELY lady there to answer questions and show us around the nursery seemed unsure at times as to plant identity, and many of the selections were not tagged. Then again, this is primarily a mail order nursery, so we pretty much shrugged it off. We highly recommend this nursery for buys.

The Company Comment is a little misleading. It makes it sound like the current owners bought it from Dick and Rene. The current owners bought the nursery in 2002. The people that originally bought it from Dick and Rene are no longer associated with this nursery in any way, shape, or form. I had fantastic experiences with the previous owners, and know for a fact that any plant shipped was grown at the nursery, not collected in the wild. I have not had any experience with the nursery since the change in ownership in 2002, so have no opinion, positive or negative.

An excellent nursery. I've ordered from We-Du several times and have always been delighted with the quality of the plants, promptness of shipping, and helpfulness of service. Plants come well-packed, de-potted, and wrapped in plastic bags. A great source of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers (and other plants too).

The plants I ordered were healthy, larger than expected, and very well packed.

Superb!! I received my plants within a WEEK of ordering (I called my order in). I expected good quality plants, but was exceedingly pleased to find they were GREAT quality! Super healthy, tons of beautiful roots, and large sized (one I was expecting about 18" and it is double that at least!!). Their prices are only slightly higher than average, but their stock is extensive and have many rare and unusual varieties! They are definitely a must for anyone looking for quality!

Absolutely first-rate service and quality of plants! Since I live nearby, I can pick up my plants ("will call"). However, I am confident that their packaging and shipping procedures are as excellent as is everything else about the nursery. Wonderful large, healthy plants -- excellent value! I look elsewhere for native plants only if they don't have what I'm seeking (which is seldom).

Vic and I went to visit them about 2 months ago. They specialize in native plants, and have a large garden site with many greenhouses. Very knowledgeable. As it was Fall, much work was needed in the garden (small staff, mostly the owners when we were there) but they seem very dedicated. Vic bought something, but what I wanted was not available. I will buy some more natives for my woodland/shade garden from them in the spring.

I received my order from We-Du nursery on March 6, 2001 and I am very pleased. The plants were a good size with lots of roots and in very good condition. The packaging was very good.

This is a great nursery! The plants are a good size, arrive packaged well and a great selection! Best of all, the phones are answered by pleasant helpful people! This is my favorite nursery (next to Heronswood.)

I order something most years from We-Du. The only problem I have had is one plant was sent infected with rust (apparently a rust species not hardy up north, as it died over the winter). Also, buyers should be aware that they do collect from the wild. Otherwise, I have had fast, friendly service, a wide selection of plants, low prices, and decent packaging.

I ordered from them for first time this year - excellent! The packaging was exceptional and all the plants are doing well. They had broke dormancy but had not even wilted when I received them. I will be ordering again.

This is a great nursery. They offer a wide range of southeastern natives and their Asian counterparts. You will find some delectabletreasures listed in their catalog. The Fall 1997 list now includes zones, so this is a bonus for those of us in other parts of the country. Their prices are very reasonable and the plants they send are large and well grown. One plant this year never broke dormancy for me. After I sent them a card, I got an apologetic phone call from them, followed up by a credit for next spring. [update 2000] I would like to quote the catalog from 1999 re the issue of collecting in the wild. This is a very reputable company and I believe they would not fudge on this. Here is what they say:"WE-DU specializes in nursery-propagated natives" I realize that many places make a bit more definitive statement (e.g. "and do not collect in the wild"). I just wanted to try to set the record straight. If others have evidence that We-Du is collecting in the wild, please submit that evidence.