You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
On Apr 13, 2008, bridgetohealth Wellborn, FL wrote:
I still have an old catalog. I tried to order more Diatomaceous Earth. Always had good results from Mellingers.
Sorry to hear they went out of business
On May 21, 2007, endf1 Egg Harbor Township, NJ wrote:
I have used Mellinger's for many years now. I bought large pots ( I give a lot of plants away and could always get quanity at a very good price), self watering pots, jiffy 9's, organic fertilizers (ie. kelp powder), and some seeds (mostly corn, bean and pea) at very good prices. I bought very little plant material from them becuase I am too busy to nurse small plants for a year, but what I did buy mostly did well. I looked for their site this year to buy more pots and found they are out of business. I really miss them already beacuse I can't find quanity self watering pot anywhere else so far.
On Apr 2, 2006, Campfiredan Alachua, FL (Zone 8b) wrote:
I used to deal with Mellinger's years ago (in the 90's). Had great buys on nursery equipment and pots. This past fall I looked them up and I believe they had a going out of business notice on their website. Now the website seems to be gone so I guess they are as well. Unless someone knows of another website for them other than http://www.mellingers.com (?).
In spite of the negative comments about this company I just had a VERY nice experience with them today. On 18 Feb. I ordered two fancy willow trees for a low wet spot I have near my driveway plus a scarlet flowering quince plant. The order was shipped 21 Feb. by PRIORITY mail, and I got it today. All the plants were quite healthy, starting to leaf out, and had good root systems.On top of that they were ALL much bigger than I was expecting, based on comments about other mail order nurseries. Now I just hope my Burgess and Michigan Bulb orders are 1/2 as nice!!
I have placed several orders over the years. I have found their prices and selection to be good. I did have a problem with a bare root order that did not survive. (spring ) They reshipped and the same results. They reshipped for a fall planting. I feel they went out of their way to please me. I am disappointed to hear they will not be in the M O business.
I began buying from Mellinger's about 14 years ago, and I am devoted to them. I was heartbroken to learn that they are closing down their mail order business. I remember distinctly my first purchase with them. I wanted privacy in the back yard, and I bought dozens of small shrubs very inexpensively. What a delight to see them thrive all along the fence line. I have continued to order from Mellinger's through the years, and the one time a plant was crushed in shipping, they replaced it immediately.
On Jul 12, 2004, KillerChihuahua Merritt Island, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:
The plants I ordered were small, which is what I expected from the catalog description and the price, but were healthy and are doing well. Overall a positive experience.
On May 21, 2004, Missyinbama Louisville, KY (Zone 6b) wrote:
I ordered some bareroot native shade trees last fall. I planted right away as instructed and they all leafed out wonderfully, even without sweating them as was recommended. Maybe they didn't have to be sweated in the the deep south, zone 8b. The trees are growing wonderfully. I am very satisfied, and would order from them again.
On May 11, 2004, sylvi74 East Bethel, MN (Zone 4a) wrote:
I just received my order form Mellingers, and I am very pleased. The plants are quite small but they were very cheap and they look healthy. Everything was rolled up in newspaper in the box and didn't seem to have shifted at all in shipping. I will probably order again next year, although the catalog is a little difficult to decipher.
On July 21st, 2004, sylvi74 added the following:
All plants are doing well except for the one that died in the 10 inches of rain we had. That is NOT their fault, and I am very pleased with the plants I got from them.
On Apr 16, 2004, belle_michele Shakopee, MN wrote:
VERY HAPPY with RECENT order!
While I've been buying plant 'care' items (fertilizers, etc.) through Mellingers for the past couple of years, it had been at least five years since I purchased any live plants from them. I ALWAYS had very good experiences/luck with plant purchases in the past (I have several large, very nice trees in my yard due to Mellingers), I was concerned when I read some of the feedback on this website.
I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm GLAD I did!
Earlier this week, I received three EXCEPTIONALLY NICE sassafrass bare-root trees...they are in great shape with very nice roots.
I placed two orders with Mellingers last year, the first in the spring for roses/perennials, shrubs, etc. A few things were backordered but this is common in my experience. Everything thrived. I placed another order in late October for some native trees (persimmon, paw paw and elderberry). Parts of the trees were damaged but the shipping company was responsible since everything was packed appropriately. I'll need to see how the trees survive the winter before I know for sure but the trees looked fine when I planted them. This company seems fine to me.
After reading some of the negative comments here, I felt compelled to write about this company.
I have shopped both mailorder and at their local garden center over the years. I have had nothing but good experiences with friendly sales staff, customer service and replacements of plants. Also, I find their variety of plants great. If you're looking for the unusual, you will find it there. I will definitely continue buying from them.
Sincerely,
Loveflowers
I ordered 2 dwarf fruit plants, and a jasmine plant last week. I was worried about the cold weather damaging the plants in transit. They e-mailed me back promptly that they would get to my location just fine. I received them today...I can't tell you how impressed I am by them. Healthier and bigger than I expected at a small price. Would HIGHLY recommend Mellinger's. Will place another order very soon.
I bought several plants from them this spring, they sent they wrong pomegrante, but a quick email and another one was on the way. The current bush is taking over the area I planted it in. The blackberry bushes died, but that is because I started having trouble with my irrigation system at precisly the wrong time. Have several items bookmarked and ready to order next spring.
On August 10th, 2003, clarkj99 changed the rating from negative to positive and added the following:
I specifically registered at this wonderful watchdog website to tout mellinger's (and a couple of other companies that i ordered from this year). The plants were a little on the small side, but i expected that. Also, i received one plant (beautyberry) totally dead, and all i had to do was email them to let them know, and i got a prompt response saying "We are resending your beautyberry ASAP. Please let us know if there are any problems with it."
i received it the next week! Thank you Mellinger's! If my garden were bigger, you'd be getting rich off of me! (which is a good trick considering your low prices. :)
I received the first part of my order last week (some items are back-ordered and will be shipped at a later date). I am really impressed with the quality of the plants I received, all of them were really healthy and in great shape. Some of the plants were even taller than what I was expecting to receive. I will certainly order from Mellinger's again.
Well.....I have to say I am surprised by all these negatives however, all the little trees with the little prices that I have bought were for bonsai so they were perfect, also supplies I have bought were fine. I am only 100 miles from M"s and my stuff is usually here within 48hrs. I will think twice before I buy anything that goes in the ground. Perhaps I will first call and discuss the condition I expect my plants/trees to be in.
On May 15, 2003, dastowers Akron, OH (Zone 10b) wrote:
I live about 40 minutes from the Nursery so I did not have them ship to me- I pick up my plants. My last purchase was 2 weeks ago- I purchased 12 different fruit trees (24 total), 25 wall of green populars, 3 sassafras, 3 sycamore, 3 types of berry bushes and some maiden grass. Total of 55 trees and 24 bushes. that's alot. the fruit trees were bareroot and in the cooler when purchased. I was leary with bareroot but I have to tell you all except the sassafras have little leaves already and the sas. has buds now. i spent over $700.00 there and I am VERY happy. I called them several times asking about spacing for berrys and certain trees- wonderful staff. The greenhouses are huge. I wanted to buy a weeping alaskian cedar $190 it was 7 feet tall- great price- but it was sold when I got there.
shucks.. Would definitely buy from again.
I have ordered mostly native trees from them. They arrive bareroot but do well if you plant promptly, keep watering, and have faith. One Tulip Tree, now over 10 feet tall, did not leaf out until June the year I planted it. Also, some plants, including sassafras and hackberry, need "sweating" to get started the first year. If you don't do this, they may die. Plant size is good for the price and clearly stated in the catalog. Don't buy wildflowers from them. Their wildflowers are very small and not healthy.
Not ordered from them in many years. I did have a nice
experience with two rarer japanese maple trees, which I
later accidently killed. I now live in an apartment, so oh
well!
Their catalog contains items I have never really found
elsewhere.
Their supplies are excellent & usually has good info about
what the item is.
You will find (at least in past years) seeds of varities
such as trees and other ornimentals not usually found in
other catalogs.
Prices are most reasonable for most items. The catalog has
to be seen to be beleived, it's unique to say the least.
On a 1-10 scale I rate them a 9-, but a 10 for their nice,
unique, catalog.
I ordered from Mellinger's on Sunday, February 16, 2003. My order arrived on Thursday, February 20, 2003. My order consisted of seeds and a catalog, it came packed in a bubble envelope, and arrived in perfect condition. I had some questions about my order and when it would ship, so I emailed Mellinger's, and got a response within 24 hours. After my seeds arrived, I had some question about the dates on them, called, and was given excellent service by phone. I will order from Mellinger's again.
we ordered strawberry plants late in the season when another company failed to send they came promptly and were extremely nice plants, have grown well. Also order an apple tree, was nice size and seems to be doing very well. we are going to visit them in March, at their open house, will have another comment after this visit. overall very satisfactory service and stock
On April 8th, 2003, enilniah added the following:
we visited mellingers at their open house this spring and i was very impressed at the variety of seeds available as well as the size of the packets available. We have done business with this company the last 2 years and have not been disappointed yet. received our nectarine tree just yesterday and was pleased with size and quality. will continue to do business with this company
I placed a small order for plants and bulbs. I was disappointed that one item was out of stock; however, the remainder of my order arrived in good condition. The bulbs and plants were very healthy and are doing fine in my garden.
I am amazed that so many people have had a bad experience. I have bought from then since 1986, and had only one problem. I bought 500 Vinca, and only 20% survived. The promptly sent another 500 at no charge
I visited the retail store and nursery in late May 2002. The retail store and nursery were not bad. They had an excellent selection of garden supplies and nursery-sized plants. However, when I wandered into the "mail-order" greenhouses I was unpleasantly surprised at the sorry state and extremely small size the plants were (most offerings were only about an inch in height). I would recommend the place if you want gardening "hardware" or if you can visit for nursery-sized plants.
This company specializes in small specimens of trees and shrubs, with a varied assortment of perennials, houseplants, bulbs, 'novelties' and supplies. I have had excellent results with their trees and shrubs, which are so inexpensive that the curious gardener can afford to experiment. This year I ordered some annual ornamental grasses and a tropical 'cycad'; I received a mail acknowledgement. As expected, the plants were shipped promptly and though small, were perfectly healthy.
On Feb 6, 2002, carol Bayonne, NJ (Zone 6a) wrote:
I purchased a trial order and was pleased. They are 3 weeks old and doing just fine. Will be placing a larger order and a supply order.
Very pleasant staff as well.
Carol
Have ordered supplies, no plants. They do have about anything you would need in the line of supplies. Was happy with my orders and would buy from them again.
I have ordered supplies from them. Some things that are hard to find anyplace else. They have a wonderful customer service department that really took the time to help me out.
I have ordered tropicals from them and found the plants to be very small for the price.2 out of 3 died within two weeks.
On December 23rd, 2001, snowhermit changed the rating from negative to positive and added the following:
When the company became aware of the loss of the two plants they immediately sent a credit memo with an apology and will send two new plants in the spring.Even though I think their plants are small,a company that shows that they care about their customers and stand behind their product earns respect and I would buy from them again.
