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I've ordered twice now and both transactions have been quite pleasant. Plants arrived in excellent shape on the dates expected. Customer service was conscientious and diligent. I will order again with no reservations.
I just received an oak leaf hydrangea from Forest Farm and I was very pleased with it. The people at Forest Farm have always worked with me when something went wrong and I really appreciate it. Their packaging has to be the best there is even though their shipping costs are pricey. The oak leaf hydrangea was very healthy looking and I hope it does well. I have ordered from them for years and have always been pleased.
Forestfarm Nursery is stupendous, with an amazing selection of rare plants! I have ordered many plants from them. The tube sized plants sometimes are small (not always) but this is reflected in the price. Also, the tubes seem to give the plants a deeper root system, so they can grow well in the landscape compared to other plants of the same size. I love Forestfarm!
I have dealt with Forestfarm for years and have been perfectly satisfied with every order I've gotten, both when I lived in MS, and now here in GA. Their shipping is impeccable and their customer service is outstanding. They call if they have questions and keep you appraised on a shipment status by email. They sell plants for the both the NW and plants for everywhere else too, and as long as you know what your planting, and understand your climate and ecological requirements, your plants will thrive. But, if you try to grow plants intended for Oregon's mild summers and you have hot summers, you're going to be in trouble though. Know your plants before you order! Some of the trees I've ordered from Forestfarm are well over 15-20 feet high after only 3 years and we had a serious drought for 2 years in that period. Research what you order before you buy. These folks have some really hard-to-find stock, and you won't be disappointed.
For the most part, I was really satisfied with the plants I received (a fairly large order for me with six Goumi Berry plants, 2 Running Serviceberry, and 1 Dutchman's Pipe). The Dutchman's Pipe, however, looked weak and damaged on arrival. I planted it anyway, and it promptly seemed to die. I got busy, went on vacation, and forgot for a while all about it. So, several weeks later, when I saw an old email from Forestfarm in one of my email folders, I thought that I ought to write them about the Dutchman's Pipe, which, after all, cost me $19. But because of my delay (and the fact that I was a little fuzzy on the details of when the plants arrived and all), I wasn't very optimistic about getting a refund for it. I emailed Forestfarm with what details I could remember about when the plants arrived, when the Dutchman's Pipe died, etc. I got an email back almost right away that apologized for the poor quality of the plant and promised a refund. No arguments. No excuses. No smarmy rationalizations. I was very pleased. And it turns out that the Dutchman's Pipe isn't completely dead and may even come back. It has put up a couple new leaves and seems to be making an attempt to survive.
On October 8th, 2009, gsteinbe added the following:
UPDATE IN OCTOBER 2009: I, like krowten, received what I think were autumn olives instead of goumis. When I posted my original positive rating of Forestfarm, krowten contacted me by d-mail to tell me that I should check my goumis from Forestfarm to make sure that they weren't autumn olives. So, I emailed Forestfarm and began doing a little checking on my own. My plants have leaves with wavy edges, and they fruit in fall -- both signs that they were probably autumn olives. I sent Forestfarm an email and got a prompt response. I was asked to take photos of the plants' leaves and email the photos to verify that they looked like autumn olives. I sent the photos by email, and Forestfarm ended up sending me replacement plants (the next spring). So, unlike krowten, I can't really complain about how I was treated (although, of course, the initial mistake caused undue inconvenience and delay in my getting real goumis, and at this point, I still haven't gotten any goumi fruits yet).
On Aug 6, 2009, sfeldman2005 Santa Cruz, CA wrote:
I just came back in from the garden, where the Seckel pear I ordered last spring is developing beautiful small fruit. I'll be ordering from ForestFarm again for sure.
I have ordered at least 50, if not more, trees from this company and I have nothing but great things to say. The customer service is exceptional, the plants themselves are the best quality I have received from any company, and the packing is excellent and I have never had to call about damaged plants. I really love this company and have no regrets whatsoever in doing business with them. I would much rather pay more in shipping (the plants come from Oregan to Oklahoma) than shop anywhere else, even my local garden center. They have the best selection of any mail order company, and none of my trees I have received have died. They are all doing very well. I wish every company did business Forest Farm's way!
I am living in the USA right now and very much missing England and it's native plants. Some very common British plants are nearly impossible to find in the USA. I spotted something similar to (but not exactly) what I was looking for on the planting list at show garden in the Philadelphia area, listing Forest Farm as the source. I contacted them, told them what I had seen, etc and asked whether it was possible to get the plant I was seeking. Ray responded by email and told me they don't normally sell it but that they use it as root stock for other varieties. He checked and found that they had two plants on which the "fancier" grafted variety had died back and offered me the two rootstock plants- not normally for sale- at a very good price. I really appreciated him going out of his way to find what I wanted and emailing me several times to make special arrangements. The woman with whom I spoke on the phone (Sorry I forget her name! Linda maybe?) was extremely pleasant and professional -- and now I have two May Blossom (Hawthorns) just like back home in England.
The only negative- which is no fault of Forest Farm - is the cost of shipping (esp by air) to the East Coast. If shipping were to cost less I wouldn't hesitate to buy much more.
On Jun 15, 2009, CountryRefuge Grinnell, IA wrote:
I cannot say enough good about this company, based upon my experience! I ordered 1 Heptacodium miconioides, the Chinese Seven-Son-Flower plant from them after reading LarryR's article. The tube size was all they had available; I specified that I wanted it sent after Memorial Day. I received an email notifying me the plant was being shipped on May 28th with a tracking number. I also received a postcard from them reminding me to be watching for the delivery. I received the plant on June 1st. The plant was very well packed and so much larger than I expected! Thanks, Forestfarm, I will be back!
On Jun 12, 2009, brickyard23 North Wilkesboro, NC wrote:
I have ordered from Forest Farm for the past few years now. The plants that I recently received were extremely healthy and packed perfectly. I have ordered from other online nurseries and Forest Farm is at the top of the list. I highly recommend them to all future purchasers without reservation. Thanks for all of the wonderful plants over the years!
very nice mail-order company i had no problems with them. i was kept inform on my order as far shipping. the packaging was good. the plants were the best i have ever received through mail- order. the planting and care information for the plants was also very helpful. best of all i was not insulted or called any names.
By far, THE best online source for plants I have ever used, and I've used many over the years. Forest Farm's selection is amazing, the quality is the highest, and their customer service is excellent. Packing is superior and all plants arrive in terrific condition. This nursery is my go-to source for just about anything I'm interested in ordering. I highly recommend this business and their products.
On Jun 5, 2009, PadreWayne Mount Pleasant, MI (Zone 4b) wrote:
I'm in the middle of Michigan and it's been hard to find Lenten Roses locally (even though they grow quite well in our 4+ Zone). Two Helleborus Ivory Prince were ordered and arrived two days earlier than they'd predicted. The packaging was amazing (and enormous box with the box containing the plant material fastened to one end, each plant taped within, lots of shredded paper -- very impressive!) -- and both plants appear very healthy with good leaves and a strong root system. Of course it is too late for them to bloom (and they're too young!) but I anticipate healthy and strong blooms and plants next spring.
On Jun 3, 2009, StellysPapa Dothan, AL (Zone 8a) wrote:
I thought this was an alright nursery. I had bought from them before and was pleased. But then I ordered again, and got my shippment just a few minutes ago. Their packing methods could stand a great more experience. I had two ferns and 2 evergreen shrubs. The evergreens appear to be OK although they are a bit on the raggy side. One of the ferns, a Red Painted fern, looks as though it has never seen water and the soil is hard as rock, the fern itself is dried up and shriveled. The other one is OK. But what really irritated me was, there was tape on the fern leaves making it very difficult to remove without ripping off the leaves.
Don't think I will buy any more, from them.
On June 4th, 2009, StellysPapa added the following:
I came very close to changing my rating to Neutral right after posting. But then I get a personal e-mail from Ray at Forest Farm, criticizing me for giving the negative rating, and saying I hurt them. Well, sometimes getting hurt is the best way to improve yourself.
I am keeping my negative rating for the time being.On June 4th, 2009, StellysPapa changed the rating from negative to positive and added the following:
I've now changed to a positive......no, I'm not wishy-washy. Ray had sent me another e-mail, saying that he had sent me an extra fern.....sort of like a bonus plant. But, when I checked the packing slip, according to my records, the two ferns I got, are the two ferns I ordered, no extras......However, there was an extra false cypress......I had only ordered one and got two, so, for the sake of all concerned, I have changed my rating to a positive.
On May 27, 2009, MntMs Auberry, CA (Zone 7b) wrote:
I recieved plants in the best condition I have ever seen through mail order. The wild indigo was in full bloom, the passion flower was beautiful. They were packaged very nicely. Their customer sevice was very helpful. I am very impressed with them.
I ordered a few blueberry plants. They arrived healthy, and are flourishing. Ray and Peg were very communicative when emailed regarding the order, and I knew they were concerned about the plants as well as about me, the customer, and the order.
On May 21, 2009, madamdeathstare Owens Cross Roads, AL wrote:
I am so glad I ordered from Forestfarm. I was worried as the plants would be over a week in boxes during shipping, but decided to take the risk as they were the only place that supplied the plants I wanted.
The plants, shrubs and the tree were extremely well packed in plastic pots, or strong plastic overwrap with plastic bags over them, so that the roots did not dry out. The hawthorne tree had had the thin leader gently bent over, not chopped off as many places do, so it is much taller than expected.
Unsurprisingly after 8 or 9 days in a box some leaves were yellow, but all the plants are recovering nicely. Forestfarm shipped to meet my planting deadline and sent a postcard letting me know the plants were on their way so I could prepare the plant sites for them.
One of the plants I ordered was not in stock, but Diane from Forestfarm contacted me to let me know, so that I could take up the empty space in the shipping box with another plant. She was very helpful and pleasant to deal with.
I liked the way the website was arranged as I could look up items by their latin names which I much prefer for accuracy.
On May 15, 2009, oldebuffalo Great Falls, MT wrote:
Plants arrived in great shape and on-time for Spring planting. The Pagoda Dogwood is fantastic! Too bad we didn't have a chance to stop by and say hello! Keep up the good work.
I places a large order with them -- both in number of plants and price. The shocker for me was that 1/3 of the final cost was shipping! Once the plants arrived, though, I was not as miffed since they were expertly packaged, easy to get at (unpack), and were in PERFECT condition despite a cross-country trip that probably took a little more than a week.
Plants arrived very quickly and were lush and healthy. Forestfarm staff were polite and courteous when I contacted them, and they responded in a timely manner. It bothers mentioning that their prices are reasonable. They have my highest recommendation and I will be buying more from them very soon.
I finally had the opportunity to purchase several plants from ForestFarm this year. While some of the larger plants can be a bit expensive to have shipped all the way from Oregon to Connecticut, buying several plants in the smaller tube sizes worked out just fine. Also, if not ordering during the hot summer months, ground shipping worked out fine and none of the plants seemed the least bit stressed. Plus, ForestFarm's selection is so vast and they have many items that no one else seems to have, so it was worth it for some of the larger plants too.
Everything arrived precisely when I requested them to be delivered and all the plants appear to be healthy. A very good source!
This company is awesome! Yes, the shipping is a bit pricey but they did call me asking if I wanted to purchase another plant to fill the box without any extra shipping. To me, that was wonderful. I was going to purchase another plant anyway but hesitated due to more shipping. So...for a company to comfirm your order over the phone AND ask if you'd like another plant minus the shipping does not seem to be "trying to get you to buy more plants". To me that is great customer service! Thanks again and I am eagerly awaiting my forsythia and hydrangea.
For some reason businesses just don't offer good customer service anymore. I can't find it anywhere so again, this was wonderful.
On Apr 29, 2009, kentstar Ravenna, OH (Zone 5b) wrote:
I thought I would try this company because of all the positive comments it has received. I purchased a Brunnera Macrophylla Jack Frost and a Sparkling Burgundy Heuchera. They came today. The heuchera looks fine, but the Jack Frost looks yellowed, leggy, and just totally overgrown. The soil was moist, but the quality of the plant could be better, especially with the prices on this particular one!
I will plant them both and reserve any more judgements for now. I'll see how it goes.
I don't really like either how there is no way to track your order. However, as long as they come in fine shape and relatively when expected I don't have a problem. But, we'll see...
On May 31st, 2009, kentstar changed the rating from neutral to positive and added the following:
The sparkling burgundy heuchera and jack frost Brunnera are doing great! They are so healthy! Thankyou! I will be back!
On Apr 25, 2009, ge1836 Pittsford, NY (Zone 6a) wrote:
My second year in this house and second year ordering from Forestfarm.
Everything in my order this year arrived ancored down to the box. No spillage and box was sturdy,
No leakage no breakage.
Plants have only been in 2 days but no wiltage either.
Last year I ordered Buddliah It was large and got larger, has put down a good root system.
I will plan future orders, definatly
I received my Sambucus, autumn fern, double queen hellebore, and Skimmia this past week all were healthy, packaged well and arrived in the time frame on their post card which was sent well in advance of the shipment. Some of these negatives on this site for this company are ridiculous. As mentioned in other reviews, you people should just go to a nursery in your area and purchase what they have instead of ordering online-relying on photos and maybe hire someone to remove the tape since it appears that you don't have the patience yourself. Get real. I myself am thrilled with my plants and shrubs, all were moist and well packaged. the Tape came off with some patience and small scissors. I will be ordering from them in the future.
On Apr 8, 2009, montsho Elk Grove, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:
OK. I got a call today from ForestFarms in regard to my order that I placed regarding the shipping. I wanted my plant quickly so I didnt really mind paying for the air shipping. They called me and told me the plant would arrive at the same time if they shipped ground and it would save me about $9. I know thats not really a big deal but I was impressed with the fact that they called to give me an option and save some money. I will update when I receive my plant.
On April 24th, 2009, montsho added the following:
I actually got 2 small plants instead of 1. They are both doing fine and have survived our early heatwave (95 degrees plus)
Have placed several orders with Forestfarm, and each time have been impressed with the size and vigor of the plants and the care in packaging! I have ordered various plants/shrubs/trees, including several types of skimmia (that I adore), parthenocissus, hellebores, and a Japanese maple. Many were plants that I couldn't find anywhere else! Their selection is amazing, and even if their older website format was a bit difficult to navigate I always ended up with more than I was looking for. Customer service is also excellent - no problems with order adjustments like some companies I've dealt with, and their care instructions are usually great.
I ordered in March 2009 and plants arrived pronto. I order from several nurseries on line and although I don't always voice my displeasure, if I order once and am disatisfied, I simply do not order from them again and try elsewhere. However, with NatureHills I was amazed at the packaging. They were packaged so securely, I had to use tools to get them released from the carton. Additionally, the plants were very healthy and I'm glad that I could order in the gallon size. I was looking for a specific few plants I could not find elsewhere and was extra pleased that I could purchase the the one I was looking for in a gallon size container. Due to the shipping constraints/price break, I did revise my order and ended up ordering more than I originally tended - but I always do that. Granted the shipping is a little higher than other nurseries you can order from, but considering the size of the containers and the packaing of the plants, I was pleased overall and will no doubt order from them again. THUMBS UP FROM ME.
On March 24th, 2009, cbremer added the following:
oops referred to Forestfarm as NatureHills in my comment...the problem with doing two things at once...
this is about Forestfarm.
On Dec 3, 2008, immigrant_punk Pittsburgh, PA wrote:
I bought several plants last year - we decided to buy many small plants rather than a few large ones as we didn't know what would grow in this area and thought we'd limit our potential losses. Also, we already have several large plants so don't need an instant garden. One arrived sickly and eventually died, despite TLC at this end and clear instructions from Forestfarm.
This year we bought some more - as before, they were interesting plants (not available anywhere round here), well packed and arrived promptly. They had offered me a replacement plant for the one which died; unfortunately they were out of stock this time, so they just credited me back.
However, I'm pleased with the ones I've got and last year's little flock are all doing well. Overall, I'm really happy with this company - and the catalogue is an excellent read in the bath!
On Nov 1, 2008, arizonadirt Mesa, AZ (Zone 9b) wrote:
I just received my order from Forestfarms and I have to say I am astounded at the magnificent job these people do. Questions about your order? No problem. Special requests? Yup. Shipping and packaging? The best. The order actually arrived a day before the card they send out to tell you to watch for your order!! In my own job, I feel I give the best I can be to my employer, my crew, and the customers. I tend to recognize that in the places I do business and reward them with my hard earned money and repeat visits. This was my second order and I will be back! These people know their stuff.
On Oct 18, 2008, BlissfulGarden Baton Rouge, LA (Zone 8b) wrote:
I have ordered from this company several times... most recently for quite a few Louisiana iris cultivars that I could not find locally. Of course, that's really pretty funny that I'm in Louisiana and have to search for my LOUISIANA iris from Forestfarm! =P The ordering process is consistently quick and easy, and all of my transactions with them have gone stress-free. The plants are well packed and quite healthy when they arrive at my doorstep. All of them have thrived in my garden. Overall, my shopping experiences with Forestfarm have been quite pleasant, which is why I will continue to return to them for future orders. A+++ =)
On Sep 19, 2008, DeeCee_4 Chicago Park, CA (Zone 8b) wrote:
I just received my order today from Forestfarm and am so happy! I'd only had experience with one other mail-order company and it was rather dismal. Not so with Forestfarm!
My trees arrived healthy and obviously very well taken care of. They are in much better shape than many I've gotten from my local nursery and their size is true to what is stated. I now understand the pricey shipping fees---well worth it for such healthy, robust trees.
If I ever want a tree again "now!" that I can't get immediately locally, Forestfarm is where I'll go. Did I mention a very speedy delivery?
