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I just got back from Mellinger's. Yep, they're closed alright.
I took my wife and mom out there to browse around. About an hour drive from Pittsburgh. Kind of a bummer. It's locked down tight as a drum and it's dead as a doornail. It looked kind of pathetic being all closed up and weeds growing all over the place.
We have had positive experiences with them in the past.
On Mar 9, 2005, nevadagdn Sparks, NV (Zone 7a) wrote:
I haven't ordered from Mellinger's since 1995, but I was distinctly underwhelmed at the time. Small plants, low-ish prices, but not low enough to justify the size of the plants.
On Mar 9, 2005, hardyinokc Oklahoma City, OK wrote:
Spring 2003, I ordered a ginger lily. Upon arrival, it appeared to have rot. Went ahead and planted it, but it did not survive. I called customer service and was informed that they were sold out of those for the year. Was told I would receive a replacement the next spring; and ,SURPRISE!, I DID actually receive a replacement the next spring. By then, I had forgotten about it. Recieving the replacement was a nice surprise one afternoon when I got home from work and there was a box on my front porch. THANX.
On Oct 3, 2004, inge_formenti Louisville, KY wrote:
According to the website, this company is going out of business as of Fall of 2004. I will miss them. Their plant packing wasn't great, but they had many organic soil amendments and planting accessories ahead of their time.
On Sep 3, 2004, lego_brickster Lawrenceville, PA (Zone 5b) wrote:
My feelings are neutral about Mellingers. They have a huge variety of both common and rare plants and trees, however their quality control and customer service leave a little to be desired.
I prefer on-line ordering. However I found that the price listed in their print catalog did not match on several items found on-line. I was forced to call in my order to get the correct price. The customer representative did not seem to comprehend why I was calling when I was able to order online.
The order arrived as expected, and as advertised - everything was tiny.
Some items did not survive, not too surprising for the size of the plants. I dreaded calling them again after my first experience. The representative was again rather belligerent, although they did finally issue a check or replace the lost plants (based on availability).
My second attempt at ordering was very much like the first, though this time I managed to conclude business via email. In each communication, I had to initiate the contact, and there was never a followup. I tried to pin them down to a shipment date for replacement plants, and got responses like 'soon' and 'In two weeks'. I got my replacements FIVE MONTHS after having originally requested them.
I'm not sure how I feel about ordering from them again. I probably will if I can't get what I need from anywhere else, but not otherwise.
On Feb 2, 2003, asturnut Maurice River Township, NJ (Zone 7a) wrote:
(Overall, I really wanted to give a negative rating to this company, but since their gardening supplies were okay I wanted to be fair...)
For gardening supplies, you can't beat Mellingers. Their prices and selection are about as good as it gets. But their plants are another story. The unsual items in the catalog look to good to be true, and they are. Many of the prices are extremely low, but you really get what you pay for. I ordered a bunch of stuff from them and it was all miniscule, some of it died right way. The stuff that didn't die right way is so small that 2 years later it's still just establishing. The roots on the plants were minimal. They did do a fine job of packaging the plants however.
I also had a big problem with a plant I ordered in February for my mom for Mother's Day. By SEPTEMBER it still hadn't arrived. They kept telling me it was "in the mail" I finally got tired of getting the run-around and told them to cancel it. Guess what, it finally arrived! Ha! It was so small and had no roots, it died immediatley. Some gift! It looked like they had just taken cutting and put rooting hormone on it recently (MONTHS after I had ordered it and been promised it was in the mail.) I called the company and told them it had finally arrived but I didn't want it. They were nice enough to say I could keep it. I guess they were tired of dealing with me...
I stress I would not, would NOT recommend this company for ordering plants. Supplies come quickly and are reasonably priced, but resist the temptation to buy their cheap plants because you DO get what you pay for.
Worst, most confusing catalog I have ever seen. But, the trees I ordered from them are OK with the exception of a tiny lemon tree or rather a barely rooted cutting.
The 5 years old Quince produces nicely. My only complaint that Mellinger's website do not (or did not) provide cultural info, so I could not find out what kind of fungicide I should use to prevent the fruit disease prevalent in this climate. I should add, I could not find this info at other websites offering Quince either..(Fortunately my Coop Ext. Service could help in this matter)
I ordered two chestnut trees from them 2 years ago. One died in a month but replacement was sent in two weeks.
Both the Quince and the chestnut trees were priced very favorably.
And,it is true that they have an extensive selection of planting supply, fertilizers, insecticides and almost everything one can think of
On May 14, 2002, jcsgreenthumb Pisgah Forest, NC (Zone 6b) wrote:
I have ordered from them a number of times in the past few years. The supplies I ordered were sent promptly and I was pleased with their quality. They have great prices on gardening supplies.
This year I ordered seeds for the first time. I had to call a number of times to check the status of my order. One time I called and they assured me the order was being shipped that day. I called a week later to find that my order hadn't been shipped yet. Also, they listed seeds on their site that weren't going to be available this season due to crop failure. Even after I got my order (minus the seeds) the seeds were still listed on their site.
I haven't ordered any plants due to the fact that they often don't list latin names.
I have had excellent service from this company for garden supplies. And the prices were very good. However, as I recall the few plants I have ordered from them were poor.
Used their catalog but ordered online. The order was lost. After I purchased the plants locally, they found and sent the order. Everything arrived paper-packed and in fairly good condition; everything survived. The rare exotics that I purchased were neither charged nor backordered; they just eliminated what they didn't have available from the order. So, as of May 1999, I'd have to say I agree with everyone else and probably would not order from them again.
