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On Apr 22, 2004, sylvi74 East Bethel, MN (Zone 4a) wrote:
I got together with four friends last year and we placed a huge order from VanDyck. The bulbs arrived at a good time for fall planting in Michigan. The muscari shot up right away(I don't know if this is normal or not) and I thought they would die over the winter but they are blooming like crazy right now! Everyone was very pleased with their plants and the only thing that failed to grow was one bag of bulbs which slipped under the couch and never got in the ground. There also was one bag of tulips missing at unpacking, but there were extra snowdrops and daffies in the box so I think maybe it was a substitute, which was fine. The hyacinth are huge and smell wonderful, and the mixed daffodils really were mixed not just all yellows. I will order again this fall.
This year I ordered the "Destined to See" and David Kirchhoff dayliles along with the echinops ritro veitch (globe thistle) I received one fan of the David Kirchhoff, and an empty bag (globe thistle) and no Destined to See, it is on back order. The customer service rep could not have been nicer, she sent me the replacement of the Globethisle, which I promptly place in water because it was bare root shipped and looked awful. I planted it this morning and have hopes that it will survive. Am still waiting on the Destined to See. I will update once the plants have had an opportuntiy to perform.
I have ordered twice from Van Dycks.I have been very pleased with the perennial plants I received. They have grown well for me, and I have ordered more plants for this year. Keep up the good work! A+
On Mar 11, 2004, JulieBW Geneseo, NY (Zone 5a) wrote:
I ordered from them in fall 2002, plants and bulbs. The bulbs were OK. They did not provide any labels with the plants, the kind I put next to the plant so I remember what I planted where. I emailed them, and it is not their practice to provide labels, it was not an oversight. In the spring I did not find the plants, I think most did not survive.
On Oct 27, 2003, nevadagdn Sparks, NV (Zone 7a) wrote:
My order was delivered in a reasonable time frame (two weeks from order to receipt), and the products are in good condition. I ordered three Oriental Poppies and some daffodils. The Oriental Poppies are the largest roots I've ever received by mail order, so I expect they will do well. The cost for my order (plants and shipping and handling) was reasonable.
On October 30th, 2003, nevadagdn added the following:
update: I planted the poppies yesterday, so I had the opportunity to inspect them (and the daffodils) more closely. The daffodil bulbs were a bit smaller than I expected, but perfectly healthy. The poppies were also a bit drier than I would have liked, but I won't know for certain whether they are healthy plants until next spring. I seem to have the best luck with the rattiest of plants, so these might just be spectacular come May.On March 22nd, 2004, nevadagdn added the following:
The only poppy that may have failed was one that is currently buried in daffodils from previous years. I'm not sure whether it's there--I can't see through all the foliage. The other two are doing well. The daffodils are doing well.On November 9th, 2004, nevadagdn changed the rating from positive to neutral and added the following:
I'm downgrading my rating to neutral based on better customer service from other companies. Van Dyck's could have retained the positive rating by providing me email notification when my bulbs shipped.
I assume the bulbs have shipped, because their policy states that credit cards are charged at the time of shipping, and my credit card was charged on 11/3. That means the bulbs should arrive some time today or tomorrow, if UPS, FedEx or the postal service was used, based on delivery times for merchandise for other companies.On November 11th, 2004, nevadagdn added the following:
I had HOPED to be able to upgrade my rating, because the parcel did arrive on 11/9. However, as I planted, I noticed that the quality of the product varied widely. Some of the bulbs and plants were fat and healthy. Some of the bulbs were shriveled and bruised, a couple of the plants were very small, and one had rotted away entirely.
Had all of the bulbs and plants been of average (Home Depot/Lowe's) quality, I would have upgraded my rating. The reason I'm not downgrading to "Negative" is because I got what I paid for, and I paid very, very little for what I got, and I bought at end-of-the-season sales. Had I paid full price for these items, I would have been incensed.On March 9th, 2005, nevadagdn changed the rating from neutral to negative and added the following:
I'm downgrading (again) because two out of three poppies and the one unrotted hellebore have all failed to emerge, even though planted in areas of the garden which happily support those varieties. I'm not going to bother to ask for replacement or refund. I'll just make a mental note to not succumb to the end-of-season sales in future.On March 10th, 2005, nevadagdn added the following:
To their credit, Van Dyck's did offer me replacement or credit upon reading my latest comment. I turned both offers down, because I just don't want to keep trying with subpar stock, even at incredibly low prices. I guess I'm getting old--I'd rather pay more for a plant I know will survive than pay less for one that's questionable.On October 20th, 2005, nevadagdn changed the rating from negative to neutral and added the following:
I know this is d----d by faint praise, but as I thought about my rating, I thought that since Van Dyck's did make an effort to make things right, negative was a little too harsh. That said, I've found myself sticking more and more with those companies where I've had a long history of good quality plants/bulbs/seeds received, and unfortunately, Van Dyck's is no longer one of them.
I've ordered from Van Dyck's two times- once last year and this year. I had a problem both years with the phlox and clematis' not ever growing. I called this year since one of the phlox roots disinigrated in my hands and while they were quick to send me a new one- not a single one of the 7 plants I ordered grew!! Very frustrating. One clematis each year didn't grow either. I'll try not to be swayed by the 50% sale next year.
On October 21st, 2003, lmwood added the following:
I was contacted by VanDyck's after posting and they replaced my juice and honey tulip bulbs. The packaging was completely different than last year so I may have gotten the wrong bulbs last year- we'll see if yellow and orange appear in the spring. They also promised to resend the phlox and clematis in the spring. If I receive them- I'll be extremely impressed. Customer service was quite kind and efficient. Hopefully evrything will grow and preform up to expectations this time.On May 6th, 2004, lmwood changed the rating from neutral to positive and added the following:
I received an e-mail stating that my phlox and ernest markham clematis had been shipped. Even if they fail to grow again, I'm impressed with the integrety of the company. As a PS to my tulips- they all haven't opened but some yellow ones have and hopefully the rest will be orange like in the picture.
Customer service leaves much to be desired. I made a large order from their 50% sale from the spring catalog. Four days later I e-mailed asking when the plants would ship. I received an e-mail a day later with a curt response: "We are out of stock and your order has been cancelled." One week after that I received a letter in the mail to the same effect. Number one, if you are sold out of an item get your web cronies to update your page immediately. Number two, have the courtesy to notify the customer within a couple days if you are out of stock of an item. Number three, show some courtesy...a simple "I'm sorry, but..." is the correct way to tell someone bad news. I wrote an e-mail to them with these very comments and, to their credit, I received two e-mail apologies two days later. Still, my money goes elsewhere next season.
On Jul 16, 2003, Terry Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) wrote:
I ordered the tiger lily collection, some Eremurus (foxtail lilies) and Cyclamen via their end-of-season sale. Some things were out of stock or backordered, but they've been very prompt in sending the items, sending the backorders, and crediting my account, as well as keeping me apprised via email and letters every step of the way.
The tiger lily bulbs were huge and extremely healthy (especially for the price), as were the Cyclamen tubers. Excellent service and high quality plants gets a thumbs up from me.
On Jul 3, 2003, NewEnglandGardener Auburn, ME wrote:
In fall 2002 I bought $60.00 worth of bulbs - Kathryn Hodgkin dwarf iris, "Eye of the Tiger" iris, a red & white tulip/crocus collection for naturalizing, and a yello daff/purple crocus collection for naturalizing. All did well.
Also got the "Grandma's Peony" collection, two plants. One did well. The other died back but is still there and I expect it to "catch" next spring. I am an inexperienced gardener in zone 4b/5a.
I ordered from them for the first time in the fall of 2002. Loved the catalogue! I used the website to order. Although I would recommend they hire someone to work on the navigation on their site (minor nit), ordering was seemless. I received an acknowledgement with a planned ship date and the bulbs and roots arrived right on time. The packing was adequate, although with the plastic bags I would recommend getting things into the ground asap. Two of the three sets of gladiolus bulbs I ordered were mismarked. As they were bulbs, I didn't find out until this week that instead of the pale pale pink gladious I received a batch of bright orange ones and instead of the soft apricot, I received garish orange and yellow ones. I had ordered quite a few of each. My bed looks like a hot dog stand - very disappointing. The asclepias tuberosa roots had no planting instructions...I took a zonal-chance with them, anyway, so it was questionable what they would do in my climate. The geraniums, on the other hand, are doing well. Overall, it was a neutral experience -- the disappointment with the bulbs is somewhat off-putting in terms of ordering from them again this fall, but the geranium choices sure were nice...
On Jun 17, 2003, jbush Bordentown, NJ (Zone 6a) wrote:
I first ordered in early spring, dodecatheon, bears breeches, and Louisiana Iris. I thought when the dodecatheon arrived that they were too immature.but I planted them anyway. Neither they nor the other 2 plants came up. I notified the company. Their reply was that they only had the bears breeches but they would send me a credit for the other two plants. The bears breeches arrived in woeful condition. No credit for the other two plants has arrived. I contacted the company almost a week ago but so farI have not received a reply.
On June 22nd, 2003, jbush added the following:
I received a credit for the out of stock items in the mail today, but I still am responsible for the shipping charges if I order new merchancise.
I ordered glads, calladiums, canna, and tigridia for the 2002 growing season. Nothing grew. Although replacements were promptly sent, these did not grow either.
On May 29th, 2003, LK changed the rating from negative to neutral and added the following:
Van Dyck's contacted me after reading my negative comment. They sent replacements for some of my failed order which I have planted. I cannot yet judge the viability of the plants, but their customer service seems geniunely interested in fulfilling their guarantee.
On Apr 1, 2003, harmony58 Rogers, AR (Zone 7a) wrote:
I have been pleased with my experience with Van Dyck's thus far. I placed an order for daffodils, muscari, naked ladies and tulips. I recieved the order promptly. Because I am disabled I have to plan around my lack of energy. Unfortunatley a great deal of time passed before I could plant. Thus, I planted in February in the South. I soaked all the bulbs in warm water with liquid fertilizer first. The majority sprouted. Planted all of them. I have blooms galore from the tulips. The only ones that I don't know about are the naked ladies because they won't bloom until August. But, the foliage is healthy.
On Feb 22, 2003, elfeik Near Kansas City, MO (Zone 6a) wrote:
If you need a replacement and they don't have it they won't send a different one or refund the money. Rather they send a credit voucher, forcing you to pay another shipping charge.
On Jan 20, 2003, groovin Windom, MN (Zone 4b) wrote:
Have ordered from Van Dyck's several seasons, and now throw out all other bulb catalogs. Have only had a few no-growers out of hundreds of bulbs. I've emailed planting questions and received prompt responses with good advice. Very pleased with this company!
I received my $100 order for mostly bulbs a few days ago. Two tulip bulbs were rotten with maggots, another bulb was very questionable (I doubt it will grow). Also two Firecracker Flower bulbs were spoiled (I suspect they may have been packed next to the bad tulip bulbs). I complained via email and a prompt reply indicated that replacements are coming right away. I'm looking forward to them.
I can't find fault for a little missed spoilage here or there in an order this size--could have likely happened with any company. So far I have been pleased with their web site and responsiveness via email. I will definitely order again.
On October 29th, 2002, garyklee added the following:
I did receive replacement bulbs and they are very healthy. I am pleased with my experience with Van Dyck's and will place additional orders (as I just have--having ordered some hellebores).
I ordered 4 tree peonies and a Japanese anemone in the spring. One of the tree peonies was obviously dead on arrival. I requested a replacement and received it. As of August, none of the plants made it. I requested a replacement for all four of the tree peonies via e-mail. I have been promised replacements this fall. I will update.
On Jan 9, 2002, notmartha Bay City, MI (Zone 6a) wrote:
This is the company I won the contest from! Very nice lady! I also placed a order/everything was fine! I still have a credit there. I think this is a great site also!
I have ordered repeatedly from Van Dyck's Flower Farms - they send huge healthy bulbs. They tell you when to expect them and they send high quality stuff! These places are so honest and they deliver on their promises. Michigan and New Holland have paid the price for their shady dealings - hopefully laid to rest for good.
I too had to wait an incredibly long time for my bulbs. I ordered in mid-September and did not get them until the first part of November. I emailed them twice during this time before I finally got an answer. I really thought six weeks was a long time to just ship miniature daffodils and anemone! In fact the only reason I ordered them thru the mail was because I waited to long to get the mini daffodils locally.
I ordered from Van Dyck's 2 or 3 times a few years ago and was thrilled---told all my gardening friends how great the prices and bulbquality were. I didn't order for a couple of years because of a move to a new town and building a new house, but I placed an order with them this year (along with orders to 4 other companies). I noticed that the catalog format and pricing structure were different (and not as good, in my opinion) but I had such good experiences with them in the past that I ordered anyway. Mistake! The order arrived a full 6 weeks after every other order--almost too late to plant--and the quality was VERY mixed. Some bulbs were as good as expected, some were very small for the type and some were even mushy.Also, although the order was much later than expected it was incomplete, with 3 items on backorder. 2 of the 3 FINALLY arrived the first week of December--they are still waiting for a break in the weather to get in the ground. The other item is on backorder until Fall '98. Who needs it?? There are plenty of companies who still give good bulbs at a fair price. I'll order from them next year.
Five-stars! Excellent quality, service, selection and the prices can't be beat. Bulbs are huge, germination and flowering rates very high. We're very satisfied!
Excellent! I have bought several hundred bulbs from them. All were premium sized, bloomed the first year, and yielded gorgeous flowers. They have a sliding price scale, so if you order enough or order with friends, you can easily get the lowest price. I already have started planning another huge order for this year.
