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A year ago, I ordered 20 hybrid willows from H of W. They arrived in great condition - moist with little buds all over them. I was very impressed and I placed three more orders for an additional 180 trees. All 180 were dry with no buds. I followed the instructions - soak, plant, fertilize, water, water, water.... During the subsequent ten months, none of those 180 ever produced a single bud. I live in FL where we do not have problems growing plants; we have problems trying to keep the jungle from encroaching on us, but even in FL, dead trees will not grow. I followed the instructions EXACTLY for requesting replacements and received all healthy little trees that are thriving. I believe that while H of W could improve their packaging, they aren't a crooked organization as some people believe. They are dealing with plants and a rational person would understand that plants are fragile. I intend to buy an additional 800 trees from them, albeit only a few at a time.
On Apr 18, 2008, momn8r Edgar Springs, MO (Zone 5b) wrote:
I was very satisfied with this company and the plants when received. If I were giving stars, they would get 4 out of 5 from me. I did receive one broken tree but only the very tops, and the sedum is not quite the size I expected(but then sedum only takes a tiny bit to take over a flower bed anyway). If a person were to actually read all the information, they would see what I saw, and that is that NOTHING gets shipped before April first, and then in the warmer places first. I was very satisfied to see my order delivered promptly on 14 April, 2008. I did place my order in January, but knew I did not want anything delievered that early in the year. The prices were excellent, quality of goods was average, and overall, I will definitely order from them again. We ordered a hardwood maple from this company (or one of it's affiliates) 25 years ago, and when it arrived, my father looked at the pitiful 6 inch tree (counting the roots) and called the company. They sent an immediate replacement. In the end, the pitiful 6 inch tree is now a fabulous specimen, and the nice large replacement (over 2 feet tall) did not survive. That means, you take your chances with anything you do, especially with living things. I am happy to take that risk again and again with this company.
On May 21, 2007, teskopal Bethlehem, PA (Zone 6a) wrote:
I'm 38 now and recently ordered from this company more out of nostalgia than anything-- I had ordered a Manchurian apricot and 10 strawberry plants for something like
$4.50 and $2.95 respectively back when I was 8 or 9 years old. I remember how well the plants did, particularly the apricot (It was a 2-foot stick when it arrived, but got about 20 feet tall over they years, and was always the first thing to bloom in spring with beautiful pink flowers).
At any rate, I ordered again recently. I went into the transaction expecting small plants, and that's what I received. Of the 12 daylilies I ordered, 2 needed replacement when they arrived, and the replacement was prompt. The other plants (vinca and a 5-in-1 pear tree) have done well. What the pear actually produces remains to be seen, but the tree is certainly growing enthusiastically in this, its second Spring.
For these prices, I think of this as more or less a game-- it's fun to wait for the order to arrive, and I know that probably everything will not be perfect. But they do seem to honor the guarantee if you follow their instructions, and overall (again, for the price paid) I'm happy.
My experience with the House of Wesley couldn't be more positive. I ordered 2 silver lace vines, 3 wisteria vines and 12 red sedum. It took several weeks for my order to arrive, but I was expecting that and when it did arrive the wisteria were just sticks, the silver lace vines had many green leaves and the red sedum where a group of sticks. I read all of the negative comments on this site the day after my order arrived and I have to say I was worried. I planted all of the plants in large starter pots and to my surprise, they livened right up. In 2 days I could tell they were going to make it. Now about 2 weeks later (May 8, 2007) they are growing and I planted them in the areas that I originally had in mind. In my opinion, it is key to order the plants about 2 months before you are ready to plant. This will give you plenty of time to receive your order, inspect it and make any returns/replacements necessary. I would never order anything during the winter and expect it to arrive alive. I will order from the House of Wesley again. In looking at the Garden Watchdog website at all the negativity, I sure hope they are working to resolve the issues with customers who are not happy with their product. I'm just very happy that I did not have any problems.
On Jun 13, 2006, brucedog West Palm Beach, FL wrote:
I ordered plants from a mailing I recived and have have had a very good experiance. All plants were packaged very well and arrived in perfect conditions. I read the negative comments on this sight, after I placed my order, but I must say they come from new guys in the gardning community. If you don't understand don't complaine.
WHAT A WONDERFUL ONLINE EXPERIENCE.WE ORDERED 10 HYBRID WILLOWS,AND 1 BURNING BUSH ON 4-19-06....THE COST WAS ONLY $21.20.WE RECEIVED THE TREES,AND BUSH ON 5-24-06.ALL IN GREAT CONDITION .PACKED LIKE TREES SHOULD BE,AND MOIST.THE BUSH WAS WRAPPED SEPERATELY...IN FINE CONDITION.I HAD EMAILED THE COMPANY TWICE ABOUT MY ORDER,AND RECEIVED A RESPONSE ,THE NEXT DAY......THIS COMPANY REMINDS YOU SEVERAL TIMES TO KEEP THE ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL,AND IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG FOR UP TO A YEAR.THEY WILL REPLACE IT FOR FREE.HOW GREAT IS THAT????..BOTTOM LINE IS WE RECEIVED GREAT PRODUCT.IN A TIMELY MANNER,IN PERFECT CONDITION....FOR A TERRIFIC PRICE...WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR????? WE WILL PURCHASE FROM HOUSE OF WESLEY AGAIN.....THANK YOU....................................................
Butte, Mt Placed order on April 14, 2006 and received order on May 16, 2006. All items were there and everything was in good shape. Nothing rotted in fact the rose bushes had brand new growth. I did call them after the 3 wks just to find out when to expect delivery as we have a very short growing season here. I got right through and was told I could expect shipment to arrive the following week. Shipment arrived as stated. I feel for those who have had problems with this company and I must say I was worried. But as for me I was very pleased.
after I purchased I found this sight & read it with great fear, I called house of wesley to ask about return policies and such. the lady on the phone was kind. They cashed my check april 14th, today may 11 I recieved every item I ordered, 20 spruce and 8 vines. They were all damp and had roots. along with the order I recieved a step by step booklet on how to make the plants thrive. I can not wait to order more, for these prices you can not expect oprah's personal gardener (you get what you pay for)
i odered asiatic lillies, bi color butterfly bushes climbing blaze roses they look great large healthy plants for very little money I don't know how they do it but the plants look great and my yard will be the envy of the block.
I ordered 24 three-foot-tall Siberian Elm trees. In about four weeks, I received 24 three-foot-tall Siberian Elm trees.
Yes, they were dormant root stock and yes, I put them directly into a bucket of water in a shady spot on my deck. In about a week, all of the seedlings had sprouted leaves.
I just planted them this week, and they are happily thriving. This is better luck than I have had with National Arbor Day Foundation stock (although NABF is very responsive about replacing dead stuff immediately.)
I agree with a couple of the comments here that remind customers not to expect plants and shrubs that look just like the catalogue pictures. The company states clearly in its literature that it delivers dormant root stock, and that is exactly what they send.
I have had great success with ordering trees and shrubs mail order (as my neighbors will attest). You just have to be patient, plant when the ground is warm enough, and over-water.
No complaints on House of Wesley from
Dave in Maryland
I placed an $80 order with House of Wesley on April 1, 2004, then I discovered this site and was very concerned. Although I don't doubt the negative reviews, in all fairness my experience has been good. I ordered via internet and checked my order status on April 6th, I recieved a prompt reply and then recieved my order on April 13th.
Every item I recieved was exactly what I ordered and expected. This is a "bargain" priced company, and the items are in fact "bare root" dormant, which is what I expected. My mother has ordered from them in the past with good results. If you are expecting to see plants which look like the ones at the garden center, then I would suggest you not order from House of Wesley or any of its other names/versions. Because the plants are dormant, small, and bare root, and they may be mishandled in shipping (a distinct possibility) it is easy to understand some of the horror stories on this site.
As an experienced gardener I was excited and pleased when I recieved my plants yesterday. They are what I expected, and I will take care with handling and planting. They all look viable to me, and at a fair bargain.
My recommendation is to examine your expectations and if you want garden center, more mature plants, then only order from the more "high end" mail order companys. Be honest do you really expect to get what is in the brochure picture delivered throught the mail, come on! Maybe Santa can deliver it down the chimney.
I have to say, I was worried because I found this site after I had ordered. I ordered 40 Rose of Sharon to form 2 hedges down the sides of my backyard. They arrived quite quickly, within 2 weeks or so, wrapped in bunches of 5, each in a small bag with moisture, and all of them in a huge green bag. OUr mailman left them on our porch. I soaked them in water overnight, planted them (they were very dirty, but not moldy, and were very dormant). Within 1 week, we had buds on about 1/2 of them. Within 2 weeks, we had buds on all of them (even the one we broke while planting), and now, 6 weeks later, they are filling out, and have grown about 6 inches. I don't know if I will order from them again based on everyone's reviews, but on this one order, I did have a great experience. Maybe because I am in Illinois, like they are...I don't know. And they are very cheap. 40-2 foot bushes were $35...you can't beat that.
We ordered 25 strawberry plants from House of Wesley this spring. Plants arrived in good condition and at a good time for planting. All have lived and are doing well as of July.
My order came in and all my trees came in healthy and very good shape.I have planted all the trees and all are doing very well.
I bought 3 Blue Spruces,3Red maple,and many others {$40.00 worth}.
I would buy from this company again.
And the customer service people are very nice to talk to.
I received the House of Wesley catalog in a package ordered from another mail-order house. I leafed through it and saw several items of interest.
I live in Northern Arizona where the weather can be quite eratic, and successful gardening can be hit or miss. The catalog was quite specific about sending plants at proper planting time, and type of plants to be sent. The prices are fantastic, at the cost of maturity.
My plants have arrived as promised, at correct planting time and in the condition described in the catalog. I feel that I got what I paid for. These plants are one-third the size I can buy at the local nursery, but at about one-twentieth the cost.
My father always told me that if a deal seemed "too good to be true, it probably is." I may have proved him wrong.
Doug Lynch
Flagstaff,AZ
On June 14th, 2003, jprscrprs added the following:
It has been six weeks since I planted. The Rose of Sharon is definately going crazy! The Honeysuckle hedge does not seem to like our soil but is responding to fertilizer. All trees are budding nicely, and all but a few of the groundcovers made it.
I have placed a follow-up order to complete my landscaping. I am VERY satisfied with the service I have received.
I ordered 160 Shrubs and Trees from them in March. They arrived in April, We weren't ready for them yet, so I put them in a kiddie pool with shallow water. Planted them all the following weekend, most of them had started to bud already. All are doing wonderful, In fact I have one weeping willow that has grown two feet already. We are very pleased with this company.
I had placed my order with House of Wesley about a week, before one of my friends told me about this site. I was wonderfully delighted when I received my order 3 weeks after I placed my order (which is what they tell you to expect). All of my hedge and trees (160 plants all together) looked wonderful, we followed the planting directions and had them in the ground as soon as possible. Two weeks later, I am already having to trim the hedges back. All of them have great leaves and growing fast.
I purchased some lavender, sedum, maple trees, and privet hedges from them. Their shipping rate is fantastic, as are their prices, so I wasn't expecting much. When I opened the bag, the items were exactly as described, but nothing more. The hedges were twigs that were one to two feet tall, but there was green on almost every one. I think that if I give them enough time, they will do very well. One of the maple trees had no roots, but I got five trees instead of the three I ordered. The lavender looks bad, but they may make it. I don't have any experience with sedum, so I don't know if they are good or not. They also sent free plants, of which, the butterfly bush most likely will not make it, but the bulbs probably will do well. I'm certain I will order again from them.
