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On Nov 24, 2009, arizonadirt Mesa, AZ (Zone 9b) wrote:
Ordered for the first time this fall from Almost Eden. I purchased eight plants on this first order to see how this mail order nursery would do. I can definitely add this company to my own personal top five! They hit all the right marks. Plants were very well packaged, and the plants themselves were excellent as to size and root development. Selection and price were also above average. A month in and they are all doing well. Would (and will) order from Almost Eden again.
On Nov 12, 2009, gardenercookie Crestview, FL wrote:
Ordered a red banana tree in a four inch pot. The plant was larger than I had expected it to be, which was quite pleasing. The communication was excellent as was the packaging. I will definitely order from them again; in fact I've already got my shopping list going.
I have NEVER been disappointed in my purchases from Almost Eden. Today's delivery was no exception. My plants arrived in perfect condition - healthy, gorgeous & ready to plant. As soon as I unpacked the box they looked as though I had just driven them home from a local nursery. You can count on a great selection of hard to find "must haves" from Almost Eden. Best of all their communication with you when needed is prompt! They are simply a top notch company!!
On Oct 25, 2009, Acacius48 Federal Heights, CO wrote:
I recently ordered from Almost Eden and received great healthy plants. The plants were packaged great. I emailed them with a question and they responded very quickly. I do appreciate the great communication that they have. I had a very great experience with them and will purchase from them again!
My order came promptly, was packed wonderfully and the plants were beautiful. I appreciated the way Almost Eden kept in touch. I felt that they really cared about the condition of my plants. I will recommend them to all my friends.
I was totally satisfied with my order and shipment from Almost Eden. I placed my order on a Thursday and received an immediate response. The next Monday, I received an email telling me when the order would ship so I could make arrangements to make sure the order didn't sit in the mail truck or outside too long in the heat. On Wednesday, the order came. I was impressed by how secure The plants were packed. They were well rooted and look very healthy. The whole process took less than a week. I'm looking forward to my next purchase with this grower.
I just started dealing with this company this spring, summer and fall, but can't be happier with what I've seen thus far. Plants are big and healthy and are impeccably packed for shipment. Shipment is fast. They deal with hard to find old-fashioned sub-tropicals, butterfly and hummingbird plants and even house plants. Sizes are great and plants really get growing when they're put in the right spaces. I have plans to order again the coming spring 2010 and anticipate excellent service then!
On Oct 9, 2009, hummer_girl Saint Louis, MO (Zone 6a) wrote:
I made my first purchase from Almost Eden in March 2008: Spicy Justicia (Justicia Spicigera) *budding/blooming on arrival*, Red Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma Capensis), Red Ruellia (Ruellia Elegans) *budding/blooming on arrival*, Indian Pinks (Spigelia Marilandica), Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica), Blue Butterfly Bush (Clerodendrum Ugandense). Plants were shipped within 2 weeks. All plants were very large specimens and very well packed. Absolutely no stress or damage during shipping. I was impressed, but because March, April and May were overcast, wet and chilly for the most part, all the plants spent time under grow lights inside, with little outside sun-worshipping time until the latter part of April when temps allowed them to stay outside around the clock with eastern sun exposure. There were a few iffy cool nights, but the plants did fine. Right before planting time, the Indian Pink was broken off at the base accidently by my husband. Because the plant had a healty root base, I mothered it along until new growth appeared. The plant now has buds ready to open. The Red Ruellia are potted on the east-facing front porch and are beautiful. I put the Red Cape Honeysuckle in the ground, with more shade than sun, and it isn't happy. I'm going to replant in a pot and put on the west-facing patio. The Spicy Justicia, blooming when it arrived, was trimmed back in late May to make it bushier, and I'm waiting for it to hopefully bloom again. The Baja Fairy Duster is a slow grower and I'm hoping it will flower before it has to go inside for the winter. Its location is more shade than sun, but through trial and error I discovered if the Fairy Duster has too much sun, the foliage closes up! The Blue Butterfly Bush hasn't bloomed yet, but I've had to prune it twice because it wants to outgrow its space. Next year I'll have to find another place with more room for expansion. Everything is tropical for my area but the Indian Pinks, something new I wanted to try, different plants that are hummer friendly and not found at local nurseries, so everything has to come in for the winter. So far I'm impressed with the quality and size of the plants I received from Almost Eden. I've already revisited their Hummer-Friendly Plants pages and started a list of other plants I want to try next year. Of all the mail-order online nursery/garden retailers I've bought from this year, (approximately 7) I have to say the largest plants came from Almost Eden, and all of the plants were healthy and solidly rooted.
On October 9th, 2009, hummer_girl added the following:
I love sales at nurseries, and Almost Eden always has plants I want for my hummers. I took advantage of their Fall Sale and ordered hummer plants for next year; of course, the plants will have to spend the winter inside under lights. I ordered Buddleja lindleyana (a perennial for my area, but I'm still keeping it inside because it is cold and wet here and I don't think the plant will have enough time to acclimate, if planted outside, before it really gets cold), Justicia spicigera, 2 Ruellia elegans, Russelia sarmentosa, and Almost Eden sent along a Skullcap as a surprise. So very nice! Of all the online nurseries I buy plants from there are only 2 who pack their plants best; Almost Eden is one. The plants arrived in perfect condition, some with buds, which have since opened. All of the plants have good, full, healthy roots, and the shipping is so fast, blink, and the mail person is ringing your doorbell. Thanks, John. You're the best!
Deciding whether or not to choose neutral or negative was difficult..I ordered 3 plants from Almost Eden..two came in good condition. The third was a camellia..A dead camellia. I wrote to the company, and was told they would ship a plant the following week. By the way, I purchased these plants in April 2005.
On June 6, I received another email (after sending two to Jeff) and he wrote back saying they'd send a replacement the following week..It's now August and I've yet to get anything, including a simple email..I would understand if it was a busy time of year, but it's not.
BTW, before I got the plants I ordered, I received two small hedges I never ordered.. I'm sure it was someone else's plants..poor souls..probably still waiting for them..Since these hedges weren't hardy to my zone, there was nothing I could do with them...I don't want hedges anyway. I'd think twice about ordering from this company..
On August 31st, 2006, Toni05 changed the rating from neutral to positive and added the following:
Received a beautiful Crown of Thorns today..it was sent promptly and packaged excellently. On May 16th, 2007, Toni05 added the following:
Plants arrived in excellent condition and well-packaged..I received 2 plants: dwarf variegated Gardenia, and variegated Angelwing Jasmine..both plants were larger than anticipated..
The Jasmine has numerous flowers, and neither stems/branches/flowers on either plant were broken.
I'm fussy when it comes to ordering/buying plants..and was also happy to find these plants pest/disease free..Toni On October 11th, 2007, Toni05 added the following:
Received 3 Crown of Thorns today..All are beautiful, foliage filled. One is flowering.
Plants arrived promptly, and well-packaged. Not one broken leaf or stem.
He's great with emails, too..I had a question, and he answered the same day. Toni On November 7th, 2007, Toni05 added the following:
Received 4 gorgeous plants today from Almost Eden Plants..
Gout Plant, 2 Orchid Crown of Thorns and Euphorbia millii (Peach/ COT"S)
Sizes are incredibly huge for prices. Heights of plants range from 13-17", from bottom of pot to highest tip of foliage.
Emails are answered promptly.
Because I was having computer problems, and had a few questions for John. I phoned him and we had a nice conversation. He's very pleasant, quite helpful and a knowledgeable person.
Plants were well-packaged.. Taped newspaper prevented soil from leaking. He then placed cardboard, covering entire plants and pots to stay in place.
I love Almost Eden,...To gardeners looking for rarer, insect-free, healthy plants at reasonable prices, give them a try..ToniOn April 9th, 2008, Toni05 added the following:
Received 4 good-sized plants from Almost Eden today. Allii Ficus, Banana Magnolia, Changshou Kumquat, and Variegated Gardenia. (The variegation on gardenia is spectacular)
Plants are potted in 4" plastic growing pots, and quite tall, considering price. Tallest is 18", smallest 12".
Plants are pest-free, after a thorough inspection.
Chris and Gretchen are quick responding to emails.
Plants are well-packaged, and shipping super fast. ToniOn May 22nd, 2008, Toni05 added the following:
Received 4 more plants from Almost Eden today. Variegated standard and dwarf Gardenias, Thai (almost white) Crown of Thorns and Ficus Allii.
Plants are large, in good health, and pest-free.
Almost Eden has great prices, especially considering the sizes and general health. It's obvious they care for their plants, and ship the best quality which is one reason I shop with them.
The owners are most helpful. Emails are answered promptly.
Plants are well packaged: each are packed in corrigated tubing, holding each plant in place.
Plants arrived quickly, considering this is their busy season. I love shopping at Almost Eden. Toni
On March 18th, 2009, Toni05 added the following:
I love Almost Eden. I ordered when temperature was cold, cold as in, 30's F.
Mr. McMillian notified me, concerned my plants would freeze while travelling between LA and IL. He even kept an eye on the Weather Channel, and shipped when he felt it was safe to do so.
During the wait, he kept in touch, reassuring, more than any other nursery owner would do, and believe me, I order from quite a few places.
I received nine plants, secured with tape, then wrapped within rolled cardboard.
He shipped plants Monday, they arrived today, Wed, two days later. If I didn't know better, I'd think he hand-delivered. lol
Plants are healthy and insect-free, packed with buds and/or flowers. They're much larger than most other nurseries send, especially considering prices.
Mr. McMillian has the patience of a saint. When I phone in an order, I can yak up a storm about plants. He's helped me choose, and honest when it came to size..If he felt a plant needed a little more time to grow before shipping, he brought it to my attention. I really appreciate his honesty.
Almost Eden offers numerous varieites too, another plus. I'm sold.
For those of you who are looking for an online nursery, give Almost Eden a shot. Toni
On October 7th, 2009, Toni05 added the following:
10-7-09....I ordered plants via the phone. John is a sweetheart and quite helpful.
Bonnie is also very a sweety and knowledgeable. She sure knows her plants..They both do.
My Oct '09, and probably last order of the year, 'though Almost Eden has some beauty's on sale, ' lol arrived this morning.
Order consisted of Hoya lacunosa, Breynia 'Snow Bush, Mt. Fuji Serissa variegata, Pindo Palm, Dwarf Natal Plum and Brown Turkey Fig..
Plants are good size, tall and/or compact, healthy, pest-free, and variegated plants are evenly and vividly colored.
Plants are shipped enclosed in a cardboard roll; roll holds two plants.
Each plant includes a label, and clear tape holds tag and a preventative so soil doesn't spill.
Shipment took 7 days, but the order was placed after 4pm Cental/Midwest time.
A printed informatioin sheet and LA Dept Certificate are included. The sheet provides name of plant, description, basic care, quantity, and price of each plant ordered.
I'd like to thank Bonnie and John for taking time to answer questions during our conversation..so Thank You.
To GardenWatchdog: I want to thank you for providing such a wonderful service. Not only is your site helpful to those of us who enjoy plant shopping, but is one way to find if a nursery is worthy of spending our hard-earned money..what to expect once we place an order..So Thank You, too.
There is one suggestion I'd like to make, which may or may not make a difference. :) or worth the effort altering your format.
Is there a way, 'when we leave multiple feedback for the same nursery,' instead of finding the latest on page 10, 20 or 30, the last would go back to page one???
Please don't think I'm telling you how to run your business, and I'm sorry for making a suggestion here, (I don't know if there's a way to contact GWD,) it's just a thought.
IMO, it'd be a great help, or otherwise, to a nursery..it shows 'That Positive Feedback' sincere, especially if a person shops at 'X' nursery repeatedly.. Thanks, Toni T.
I'm so totally impressed with this company!!! Originally I was looking for Indian Pinks and ordered them. Then I began to check out their other plants and I ordered several plants to landscape the back of my property. They saw that I had 2 orders and offered to refund the shipping of one or give me a plant of my choice. I chose the plant and told them it could be of their choice. Most companies would have just shipped the orders separately. The variety of available plants was when I first became impressed. The quality, condition and size of these plants are superb! The packing was unbelievable. They made sure none of the plants would be damaged during shipment. All plants were still moist or wet upon receipt. The delivery was very fast. Their plant prices and shipping rates are unbeatable. I definitely recommend you check them out. When you receive your order you'll see why I'm so impressed.
Having never bought from Almost Eden I only placed a small order, 2 hardy varieties and 1 tropical. The communication was excellent. I received a confirmation email immediately after placing the order and another the next day with the shipping info. The plants are great. They arrived within a week, were carefully packed and bigger then I expected. I will certainly buy from this company again.
My experience with Almost Eden was perfect!!
I have ordered from other mail order sources but I was very pleased with the ease of ordering, the simplicity of the ordering process and the final arrival of the carefully, very tenderly packaged plants that arrived in a superb condition, far better than had I toted them home from the corner nursery!!!
The plants were a fairly unique set of tropical beauties, each came in healthy and fresh, well watered and alive...
It is evident from the packaging of the plants that the owners are passionate about what they do and we wish them every success ahead....
I will most certainly be ordering from them very soon...
Good luck and happy plantings!!!!
On Aug 14, 2009, roseshop602 San Antonio, TX wrote:
My plants arrived in PERFECT CONDITION. They were carefully wrapped, perfectly packaged and sustained no stress! I am thrilled with my experience with Almost Eden and will continue to be loyal to a business that cares about its product and customers.
On Aug 7, 2009, judyrosebud Jacksonville, FL wrote:
My first order from Almost Eden - a nightblooming jasmine. It arrived in great condition and nice size for the price. I was very impressed with the customer service and will be buying more plants in the near future.
MAGNIFICENT!!!
I ordered Lady Margaret Passion Vines, Trumpets ,
Datura's & several varieties of cacti.. when the package arrived,
I was pleasantly surprised with the professional packaging!!
each plant (8) was carefully & individially wrapped and taped to it's own corregated tube insuring they would all arrive intact.
Well, That was just wonderful!! I was able to pot up each plant and they had absolutely NO STRESS!! They are happy and thriving as if purchased locally.
Thank you for a Job well Done! You are now my favorite! I will return! as for that Prior COMMENT~> Totally unnecessary and should be removed they just posted without properly giving you the opportunity to fix a COMMON ISSUE.. sometimes a phone call is the BEST MEDICINE Shame on them! they could have resolved some other way
I Hope their statements get buried in a pile of RICH Manure and the POSITIVENESS about your Company will Prevail !!
2 Thumbs Up!
My communications have been exceptional with Almost Eden. The plants that I ordered came packaged very well and in excellent condition. The service and plants were more than I had expected, so I'll be checking their website in the future for my plant needs.
I ordered an August Beauty Gardenia from Almost Eden last week. I quickly received an e-mail notifying me as to when they would ship it and providing me instructions for how to prepare for receiving my shipment. They shipped my plant as promised on Monday. I received it two days later. It was wrapped very well in a protective corrugated cardboard sleeve inside the box, and the bottom of the plant was wrapped in plastic. The soil was still relatively moist given the journey from Almost Eden to Delaware. The plant was in excellent shape. I would definitely order from Almost Eden again.
I ordered 4 vines. They were much bigger than I expected (great value!). I'm going to have to construct a trellis right away! The packaging was extraordinary. The plants arrived in good time and they look fantastic!
On Jun 25, 2009, scubadoo Mountain View, CA wrote:
I just received a few Giant Turk's Cap plants from EAP, and they came through the mail in perfect condition. When I was investigating this species, email transactions were quick and very helpful. I can't wait so see how they mature over the next couple of years.
Excellent service and an excellent specimen a ("blue ginger")
arrived today. I was surprised at how LARGE the plant that arrived was! I'd been wanting to try growing this here in coastal carolina for a few years; when I finally decided to order a plant, I found Almost Eden's shipping prices were the only ones less than the listed price of the plant- which was also pretty reasonable.
I plan on being a repeat customer.
On Jun 17, 2009, FLStu Spring Hill, FL (Zone 9a) wrote:
I have received two orders (my first two) from AE recently and was very impressed not only by the quality and size of the plants, but with the packiing as well. Most of the packing can be recycled as they ship the plants wrapped in corregated cardboard tubes. I was also impressed by the personal service given. I had wanted a plant temporarily out of stock, and they worked with me, sending two plants when they were established enough in their nursery. I fully recommend AE. Their plants are money well spent.
This was my FIRST experience in ordering plants online. I investigated all the companies listed on this site and decided to go with ALMOST EDEN.
My order came to over $100.00. I was VERY VERY pleased with my order. It arrived one day after it was shipped. All the plants (6) were wrapped carefully, in great shape and were still moist. I planted them immediately and they are all doing fabulously well. I definitely will order from this company and ONLY THIS COMPANY for all of my future gardening plant needs.
I placed an order on April 26 for a Calycanthus 'Venus' and a Tabernaemontana and received them promptly. The packaging was very excellent. They let you know when your order is received and when they ship it. Awesome customer service I would say.
My only gripe was issues with the growing medium and the roots of the Tabernaemontana. It was very root bound when I received it. Normally, I would have loosen up the roots and replace most of the old soil but I was not sure how this plant could react to disturbing its roots. So I just potted it into a plastic 1 gallon pot with potting soil as it was. I watered it everyday but I notice the leaves were drooping still. Then I noticed that the original soil around the roots (I think its oasis?) became hydrophobic after having had dried up while the new potting soil around it was moist. I resolved this by soaking the 1 gallon pot into a bucket of water and let the whole growing medium soak up water. As long as it doesn't dry up completely again, then one should have no more problems.
On May 30, 2009, carolatcj Carl Junction, MO wrote:
I was very pleased with the beautiful, healthy plants I received from Almost Eden. All the plants were large and well packed. They kept me informed about the status of my order, and let me know when it shipped. I highly recommend this company. They are a very professional nursery, and I will definitely use them again.
Almost Eden are wonderful. They communicate well and do a great job of packing and shipping the plant in a way that ensures their survival. The plants I bought from them were excellent specimens and good value for the money. I am 100% sure that I will be a repeat customer.
Paul M
On May 25, 2009, Almost Eden Plants responded with:
"On May 25, 2009 4:32 PM, Almost Eden Plants responded with:
We here at Almost Eden would be nothing without the great customers we have. Thanks to all of you, once again. John and the crew."
My first order from AE arrived today...healthy and happy! The trumpet vines were over 30 inches tall...I was quite surprised!! The Candy Lily plants were equally healthy and ready to be a part of a GA. flower garden. Packaging was perfect. John worked with us to make sure the order arrived ASAP before we went out of town. Wonderful, caring, and considerate company. Thank you agan. We will return!!
Ordered first time from AE a few weeks ago and received super speedy service and the plants where awesome and packaged wonderful! Large healthy and some ready to bloom and blooming! Loved the plants so much that I just received my 2nd order today, again awesome and beautiful/blooming plants! I will be a repeat buyer from this company, a big 2 green thumbs up! Highly recommended!
On Apr 30, 2009, gardenguyaz Chandler, AZ (Zone 9b) wrote:
Excellent company. One of my favorites. Shipments are quick! Plants are always extremely healthy and well cared for. The first place I look for any plant I want to purchase.
Excellent service and packaging - the best packaging I've seen! And they are the only purveyor of the plant that I wanted who actually had it in stock. I'll order from them again.
On Apr 29, 2009, nolabug New Orleans, LA (Zone 9b) wrote:
In years of internet plant ordering, this was my most satisfactory transaction. They were shipped in a timely fashion and arrived quickly. The plants were larger than I expected. They were very well packaged, with protective corrugated wrapping. They were extremely healthy and have grown like gangbusters in the six weeks since planted. All I can say is WOW.
Was most satisfied, Extremely fast service, had exactly what I was looking for, packaging was best ever, plants were in excellent shape when I received them. Can not say enough good things about ALMOST EDEN will recommend to anyone who will listen to me.
Thanks again
just received my second order from AE. the plants from the first order a year ago are thriving and i am totally impressed with this latest delivery. some still had blooms on them. their packing is probably the best of the best and it's also easy to get the plants out and unwrapped once you get the hang of the first one. they have unique and different species to choose from too. you won't be sorry-go for it!
On July 8th, 2009, trackinsand added the following:
3rd order safely out of the box and ready for the garden. i absolutely love this nursery and the people working there. had a nice telephone chat with them the other evening. they are real people with really great plants! hooray!
I was very pleased with Almost Eden. The four shrubs I ordered were very healthy with the foliage in perfect condition. They were well packed and arrived very quickly. I was impressed with their follow-up and concern that the shipping date was good for me (and our unpredicatable Chicago weather!). I look forward to doing business with them again. Thumbs way up!
