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Ordered a variety of seeds & was very excited to see their selection. Unfortunatley, after a month did not receive them, although my credit card had been billed on the day of my order. I sent numerous emails which were all ignored until I threatened to go to my bank, then they sent me an email back apologizing and saying my order had been sent out. Over a month later, still no seeds, and no responses to the numerous emails I've sent.
Do not order from these people. They will cheat you.
On Apr 20, 2007, karenhane Manchester, CT (Zone 5a) wrote:
very positive! i ordered seeds on 3/31. a couple weeks later i got an email stating the company was very sorry for the delay in sending the seeds. they also stated they would send extra seeds and additional seeds along with my order. everything was packaged nice and tidy with planting instructions on each little package. i cannot vouch for the germination as i have yet to plant them, but the service is great and this company has seeds i have not seen else where.
On Mar 21, 2007, Erynne Ontario Canada (Zone 5a) wrote:
I have placed 2 orders with this company in the past year and have had no problems with their seeds with regards to germination. The shipping took 2-3 weeks each time but I expected this as I am in Canada. I love the selection of seeds that they carry and the prices are very reasonable. They included bonus packs with each of my orders which I thought was very nice. I will definitely place more orders with them in the future.
On Mar 15, 2007, podster Deep East Texas, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:
Order placed 2/28 and rec'd 3/15... I was a little impatient to receive as our growing season begins earlier but realized this company was under blizzard conditions during a portion of this time.
I was well pleased to find my order as shipped, nicely packed and info included. They have an easy to navigate website and a varied selection of plants. I would shop again... pod
On Jan 10, 2007, JodyC Palmyra, IL (Zone 5b) wrote:
I sent out for 3 packs of seed about 10 days ago...I received today..I also received a bonus and growing instructions..I'm Very satisfied with the order...I will be back...:-)
On Jul 4, 2006, tiffanya Sumner, WA (Zone 8a) wrote:
Order arrived within 3 weeks of order placement. Three violas were not in stock, but a cash refund was included with the remainder of the seeds (value $7.65 / refund $8.00). The seeds are well-packaged and came with detailed planting/germination instructions. Easy online shopping experience.
On Feb 17, 2006, tabasco Cincinnati (Anderson Twp), OH (Zone 6a) wrote:
Six days ago I placed an $40 order for a variety of seeds which were difficult to locate on other websites. The next day I realized I had mis-ordered 3 selections and sent an e-mail to correct my error. Today all the seed packets arrived just as I had hoped, along with three gift packets of seeds and a planting instruction sheet for my hard to germinate seeds.
Although the seed amounts per packet do not appear to be over abundant, there are more than enough for my needs and the prices were easy on the pocketbook.
I wanted to try 'Specialty Perennials' despite their less than stellar GW rating, because of their wide range of offerings, fair prices, and easy to navigate website. Providing I have respectable germination from these seeds, I will definitely order again.
On March 10th, 2008, tabasco added the following:
Well, I ordered from Specialty Perennials again 2/14/08, nine packets of campanulas and digitalis to wintersow. After two emails and one phone call (to Harvey) I received a response (from son Paul) and my envelope of $22 worth of seeds and four complimentary packets today.
I like Specialty Perennials because it is a small operation that strives to offer seeds that the big boys don't want to carry, but it is so frustrating to have such slow service from Harvey and Paul. I wish they would hire an organized helper to get the seeds packaged and in the mail in a timely fashion. I know more gardeners would order from them if they could complete the orders in a reasonable time frame.
So, my saga is not complete, yet. Being ever optimistic, I placed an order February 26 for $40. worth of seeds and they have yet to arrive, despite my email pleas for them, too.
I am holding at a 'positive' rating for sentimental reasons, but I could easily be swayed in the wrong direction with a bad experience with this last order! Let's see what happens.
On Dec 12, 2005, jday4444 Southwest, WI (Zone 4b) wrote:
I ordered last year and had great germination. They have an excellent selection of perennial seed. I ordered and had the seeds within a couple of weeks. Good, quick service. I'll order again.
negative
I ordered seeds in the beginning of october. They send me a mail the seeds was send the 29. october. They never arrived. I sent a reminder 11. november and again the 16. Nothing happens. I have dropped them. Vibeke
Denmark
I ordered online and received an email about my order very fast. I received my order in less than two weeks. The seeds are packaged nicely, look fine, and instructions are very good. I've just planted my first seedlings so I can't say how well they germinate at this time. They have a great selection of seeds and the only company I could find that had most of what I was looking for. Also, an easy site to navigate.
Nice range of seeds, good germination, decent quantities and good prices but terrible customer service and response to e-mails and faxes.
Placed an order with them July 2004 which never arrived, and in the end I cancelled, but only after several e-mails and faxes. Credit card refunded eventually.
Poor level of communication inexcusable for a web merchant.
On Dec 29, 2004, Janna Mahwah, NJ (Zone 6a) wrote:
I placed the order online and seeds arrived in less than a week. Great prices, generous amounts of seeds in the envelopes, and precise germination info on each individual species, unlike some other very general ones I've seen - "in spring put seeds in the soil and water well". I am very pleased with my seed order and can't wait to start sowing! Definitely will order next year.
Early -mid April 2004- I called and placed a credit card phone order for seeds with Henry Henjum.
Seeds never arrived.
May 27-I called back and RE-placed the credit card order, again with Henry Henjum. I addded some plants.
I brought up the previous unfilled order and tried to make sure I would receive this one.
June 2I- I called back and left a message asking about the status of my order.
June 22-They left a message stating they were still here and running a bit late. There was no mention of when my order might be filled.
June 29- I left a message about concerns for my order and its status. I asked them to please call me back if they wished to keep me as a customer.
I never received a call back.
I never received seeds or plants from this company, despite ordering twice from Henry Henjum.
This experience was far and away the poorest of the many garden companies I've tried.
On Feb 29, 2004, Laura_Ben McLean, VA (Zone 7a) wrote:
We ordered some seeds from Specialty Perennials. Unlike the other place we looked at, we were able to get all the species we were looking for in their website. It took about five days to process our order. Each seed packet came with a label with concise information on germination. They also included some general information on separate sheets of paper on seed germination. More information about the plant and seed is available on their website.
Because one of the species we ordered was temporarily out of stock, they gave us three gift packets for the wait. We liked their service too. We communicated through email, and they responded promptly.
We will definitely order from them again in the future.
I heard good things about Specialty Perennials, and decided to have a look at the website. The selection of seeds is enough to keep me happy for a very long time. There are many uncommon species and varieties, all in one place.
After receiving a bonus packet with my order of five packets of seeds, I went back to the website for more information about this unexpected variety. There were already new items in the online catalog. Enough to make me want to come back and browse.
The prices are reasonable, and you always know how many seeds you will receive. I love the flat rate for shipping & handling on seed orders.
Seeds are listed by botanical name, which I prefer. Most items have a description, some even have a photo. A few only have the species name (and variety, if applicable). As hardiness range and growing information is easily available from a search engine, this is only a small inconvenience.
I wonder why the company bothers with two names (Specialty Perennials and Hardy Plants) when both are available from the same website. I'm definitely going to order from them again.
I recently ordered seeds from this company for the first time. They arrived in a timely manner with good labeling and appropriate information on the packages. Also, I was sent a free packet of a perennial that I'm glad to have. I will order from this company again. I also find their website most entertaining and informative.
On Nov 11, 2003, zone3_newbie North Tonawanda, NY (Zone 3a) wrote:
I have ordered seeds from them twice and was happy with the prices, selection and service. Yes, it can take awhile for the seeds to arrive. If you are in a hurry, this may not be the best option for you. I think this is a small operation and one can only do so much in a day. They have a great selection at great prices and for me, it's well worth any wait.
I had a question about availability of alcea ficifolia, and Mr. Paul Henstrum answered in detail and very quickly, too. It made me feel that if I did have a problem, they would work with me to solve it.
The seed was very clean and well-packed, and a logical substitution was made for a variety they were out of. I like dealing with this company and will come back again and again.
Very quick service. I placed an order online on Wednesday night, and received the seeds Saturday morning. They offer small quantities of seeds for reasonable prices, making it easier to try some unusual seeds. I'll know in a few months how well they germinate. So far I like this company.
I placed an order with the company and received confirmation via e-mail that it would take one week to process and mail out the order. So after two weeks I send e-mail requesting a status report, but it was returned because their mailbox was full. Since they also operate Hardyplants.com I sent e-mail there too. No response. Followed up with a fax (which would not go through) and finally a letter telling them I was interested in doing business with any longer. Lucky they didn't charge my credit card.
Try someone else I wouldn't do business with a merchant like them.
On February 22nd, 2003, zebra205 changed the rating from neutral to negative and added the following:
