The scoop on 'Busse Gardens'

Background: After my recent order with Busse Gardens, I discovered (for the first time) that UPS cannot leave packages at my home address without a signature. After waiting 1 week for the package and finally having to go to the UPS center, two of the four plant I had ordered died. At this point, I had no complaints with Busse. My negative rating derives from the rudeness of the staff person with whom I spoke regarding this problem. Here is what happened:

Conversation #1: Staff person blamed me for the plants' dying and for the delivery problems. He interrupted me twice and after asking me to "explain myself" said "No, I don't particulary want to hear it..." Resolution: Busse agreed to look into problem and replace the plants.

Outcome: Both replacements were canceled because one of two replacement plants were not in stock.

Conversation #2: When I called to ask why I could not get the replacements, the staff person explained it was not worth it to the company (i.e. the shipping cost exceeded the cost of the plant) to replace the one plant. He advised me to order back in the spring, to which I replied, "Well, I don't think I will be ordering from Busse again." He then retorted, "Well, you give us an address that UPS doesn't even ship to. We'd be happy to not ship to your address!"

Whatever happened to common courtesy?! I had no problems with Busse's plants or shipment. However, I would recommend not speaking with Gary.

I have purchased from Busse 3 times. I have had inconsistent results the past two years with the plants I received from them. I have had a fair number of plants not survive to the second season. I ordered from them again this spring in hopes that these plants will do better. I have hundreds of perennials in my yard so I don't think it is my lack of experience that has attributed to these specific plants failure. I think that the plants they send are rather small and packaged only adequately. Since I live only a short distance from the nursery, it wasn't because of long transit time that they did poorly.

Busse Gardens was recommended to be by a masterful garden friend. I've ordered several times from them and am very pleased with their plant selection and quality. When I recently had a probem with an order, they corrected the problem immediately and in a friendly way. I recommend doing busiiness with Busse Gardens.

My neighbor told me about this company and lent me a catalog so I could place an order. It came today. I was very happy with the packing, size of the plants and the root system. I will order again.

My neighbor and I absolutely love Busse Gardens and look forward to their open houses every year. The owners are friendly and helpful and we always come away with something new or different. I highly recommend them.

Our favorite! (And we mail-ordered a lot of plants from a lot of places last fall and this spring.) Big, healthy plants; good prices; fast, reasonable shipping; nice customer service. We're kind of obsessed with the hens and chicks mix!

I love Busse Gardens. I've pared down the number of companies that I order from in the last two years because my hobby can sometimes get out of hand ($). However, I continue to place Busse Gardens at the top of my list. They always seem to have the hard to find cultivars I have seen in books like 'Perennial All Stars' (published by the editors of Organic Garedning magazine).
They ship healthy, wonderful plants and I look forward to visiting their nursery during one of their open houses this year.
Highly recommended.

I've ordered from Busse Gardens for two seasons. Nice healthy plants, well-packed. Good selection, good customer service.

I recommend this company. I am happy with the size and quality of the plants I ordered from them this year. Everything was packed well and looked good when I unpacked them. I will definately be ordering from them next year.

Today, I received my shipment from Busse. I ordered four plants which arrived in perfect condition. Prior to shipping, the called me on the phone when there was a slight bump in the road but they definitely took care of me and the bump. The plants arrived when Busse indicated they would and they look wonderful. I look forward to seeing these plants thrive & would have no hesitation ordering from them again.

just received my order for 15 plants and i'm tickled pink.
all plants look terrific. quite a feat considering they made the long trek from minnesota to massachusetts. one was actually blooming! gave them a good long drink and i'm letting them hang out in the shade. can't wait to get them planted and growing. very good experience with this company. fast service and good stock. will definitely keep them on my favorites list.

I received 8 perennial potted plants from Busse Gardens this past week. They arrived at the right time and were all in excellant condition as they were well packed and promptly received. Busse is in Minnesota and I am in Massachusetts so it was a long trek. The plants were large, well rooted, green and healthy. Busse has a great selection of perennial plants including hard to find ones. Their prices are good for good sized plants especially compared to nearby, Conn. based White Flower Farm. A number of days after being planted they are all looking good. Check out their great catalog and give them a try!

I had my husband pick up a certain grass when he was near Busse about 3-4 years ago. They were not very helpful to me over the phone, or with him when he was there. Later that summer we discovered it was not the right grass (as labeled), in fact appeared to be a common marsh sort. Then it did not survive the Winter. This is my only experience with them, but obviously I was not impressed.

I am a Master Gardener growing many types of perennials in my various gardens. I have ordered from at least 20 sources and made purchases at virtually all my area nurseries. Although I live near Busse Gardens, I did not "find" them until last year (2002). I then returned to each of their open houses for the public. Not only do they have a wonderful selection of plants at great prices, the plants are well-grown and the staff are both knowledgeable and helpful. Busse is a truly fantastic place that has earned my business as well as that of all my fellow gardeners, whom I continue to direct to them!

i ordered a busse garden catalog first not realizing that they also have 6-weekend openhouses in the spring. Having gotten burned ordering plants in the past i made a road trip up to their nursery. All i can say is--- WOW!!! My sister and grabbed our nursery wagons and filled them up twice over. At check out time - we were given a nice suprise of small but worth it discounts for spending so much...and i also got a twofer deal on an iris - i bought one- there was a last one of that variety left if i would please take it. They also gave helpful tips and took time to answer questions or look for certain items. VERY forthright and knowledgable. If they didn't have it in stock they were quick to point out that i could always send them a wish list via Email. Which i did and my items were shipped out in an expedient manner. My shipment was no less than what i would have picked out myself-- these people are very proud of the perennials they sell you can tell-- healthy huge plants carefully packed not a one stressed out. My number one choice for plant orders!!!

I went to their yearly sale at their nursery. What nice large plants for only $6. I am looking forward to going again! They were really helpful and had the best prices for the large quality plants.

Have ordered from them twice now as well as visited the nursery. The plants I ordered all arrived in good condition. Friendly, helpful people on the phone and in the nursery. ( Yes if you call you will get to talk to real people, or they WILL call you back.Nice selection of plants.

I'm visiting my son who lives in Big Lake, MN (home of Busse's), and have seen the plants he bought there. They're growing beautifully! He tells me his experience has been exceptional with Busse, and so I'm ordering plants today and expect the same good service and excellent quality plants.

Yesterday, I received 4 plants from Busse Gardens. They were the nicest plants I have received from a mailorder nursery! They were large, healthy, plants($6.00). One of the plants was about 20-24 inches tall. My husband could not believe they had shipped it, with no damage!
This definitely will be "my nursery... of choice"

I ordered from Busse a few years ago. They are very friendly and helpful. The plants were nice sized and packaged well. Very nice variety. Prices are very reasonable. I would order from them again.

Nice catalog - no color - daylilies are divided into $5.00 and premium selections. My plants all did very well. Also many, many other perennials - fine hosta offerings.