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I've seen some erratic plant quality with GGP -- I'd say I'm pleased 50% of the time. Some plants in my two shipments (like the Leptinella and Carex Evergold) arrived in good size and in great health. Others (such as the 3 Goatsbeard) were surprisingly small for being $11.35 each -- they were probably about 2 inches high (these are 5-foot plants at maturity), and though two of them were well-rooted in the 1 quart pots as promised, one wasn't. It had clearly been fairly recently repotted into the quart pot from a tiny round nursery container with little root development outside of the original nursery rootball.
That said, the company was very prompt in responding over email. They weren't able to replace my goatsbeard this year (out of inventory), but offered an alternative replacement which won't ship till two months from now. Not good if you're time-conscious about getting your garden going.
Also, I've found I get much better bang for my buck at some of my local garden centers for some plants. I've seen Endless Summer hydrangeas being sold locally (I live in WI) for $14 (granted they were on sale and this was before tax) -- gallon pots in great shape for sustained blooming this year. The ones I received from GGP at $16.95 were less than one foot high and in 1 quart pots instead of the promised 2 quarts. Admittedly, pot size isn't everything, but I'm left wondering if the plants will even be ready to bloom next year.
Until I get a much better hit rate than 50-50, I think I'd rather use my own judgment in picking plants. For now, the convenience of online ordering doesn't make up for the other disadvantages I've seen.
Very nice people, very good prices, but I have to say the plants were not so great. I ordered 10 plants. Out of those ten, one is on backorder, 2 were DOA (Hydrangea Little Lamb and Clematis - both looked like they were probably in bad shape when first shipped. They gave me credit for both of them), 2 are close to death (Tokajer and Salvia Caradonna-both very small and weak looking but might survive with some nurturing) and the other 5 are fine. The Lavender Hidcote was small but healthy, beautiful and smelled delightful. Sedum Maestro and Sedum Autumn Joy were also healthy and of decent size. The Dryopteris Brilliance was also beautiful and healthy and the Thuja Green Giant was excellent. So I guess it's a 50% success rate. The customer service is very good and very responsive. The packaging and shipping was good. I don't know if I would order from them again. It depends on the outcome of the plants I got and the one on backorder that is yet to come.
On September 2nd, 2009, msminni added the following:
The lavender plant died. I notified Great Gardens and they just shipped a replacement. I really do appreciate that.
Although I wasn't thrilled with the plants I first got from them, I must say that their customer service is excellent.
I wish their plants were as good as their service. Having said that, I probably would order from them again based on how responsive their customer service is.
On Jun 28, 2009, walla2butterfly Walla Walla, OR wrote:
I ordered a couple of times last year and once this year from this company. I am mixed about them. Sometimes there is a plant that I am just amazed at it, then other times disappointed. I had one plant that did great last year and one that didnt. I ordered some hydrangea from them, and they arrived yesterday. Two of the plants were the same type, one looked great, and the other was horrible. It looked like it should have been in the clearance bin at kmart or something. The serve has always been great, no problems contacting them ( except the time zone thing). Just never sure what I am going to get
I ordered 24 lavender 1 quart size. This is the first time I have used this site - i sometimes mail order but usually buy locally. Most of what I could find here was quite small and i have had better success with larger plants. I assumed that 1 quart plants would - well - deserve a 1 quart container and got these tiny plants - which I could easily have got locally from good garden centers for half the price. It is not just the price - I really don't want to plant lavender this small in June - it is planted in a very sunny sandy area where it is hard to keep at the moisture level small plants will need. it is really irritating. I have emailed the company (I tried phoning but there was something odd with the phone number), so will tell you if the triple guarantee is worth anything. fyi they arrived on time and well packed.
On July 6th, 2009, empre10 changed the rating from negative to neutral and added the following:
All the plants died...when i unpacked them i saw that they were not only small but very whithered. When I did email (no response) but later phoned and they were very nice and refunded my money. so great points for being good to deal with when there was a problem but it is back to my regular nursery for me.
On May 5, 2009, StellysPapa Dothan, AL (Zone 8a) wrote:
At this time, I'll rate them as neutral. I did place an order with them in February 09. I have gotten some of my order, all in good condition. The bulk of my order has not yet come, but, I have gotten several e-mails from them explaining the reason for the delay. Since they have been conciderate enough towards me to explain the delay, I will not say anything negative about them, yet.
One thing I have learned, not only with this nursery but others as well, we need to take into consideration that, although we may purchase items from a particular nursery, they get their plants from a grower, and therefore, can't fill an order, till they have the plants from their grower. Some nurseries grow their own, but a lot don't.
On May 14th, 2009, StellysPapa added the following:
Still keeping the neutral rating, however, I did finally get another shippment today, May 14th of the original order placed in February, still don't have the complete order yet. They do need to develope a better packing method. For the two shippments I have received, the plants were ok, but were tossed around and out of their containers/and soil, because there is no packing material within the box to prevent their tossing about.
On Apr 24, 2009, montsho Elk Grove, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:
I ordered 2 plants from this company and was disappointed when the plants arrived. The plants were barely more than seedlings. Whoever packed them must have dug up the plant then put some dry potting soil on top of the roots. Most of the soil was no longer in the pots. I ordered the same plant from Willow Creek and got a more mature and much higher quality plant and packing job. The only reason this post is neutral and not negative is because the plants are now thriving and look like they will make it.
Appears to be a very disreputable company. Placed order March 9th, 2008. Confirmation scheduled ship date as 4/21-4/28.
Charge to be placed when order is shipped. Order still not shipped 5/8 and charge has been posted to my account.
They do not respond to emails.
I wrote to cancel order and owner called Saturday 5/3. She offered me 20% discount to accept order and said it would be shipped right away. I agreed.
Order has still not been shipped. 5/8.
Once again no response to email.
I WOULD STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY.
On May 8th, 2008, stormcloud changed the rating from negative to positive and added the following:
Plants arrived today. Cyber crossing as I never got e mail confirming shipping. I have totally never seen such gorgeous big, healthy looking plants come from a mail/internet order company. Mary called to be certain they had arirved and I am totally impressed with these awsome plants !
I will be buying here again. :-)On October 30th, 2008, stormcloud changed the rating from positive to neutral and added the following:
Ordered more plants for fall planting. Usual issue....plants arrived and they were big and beautiful.
Then noticed one was missing. Wrote company and was told it would be shipped soon. Never had they mentioned any back order or delay. Finally 2 weeks later plant unexpectedly arrived. I cannot help but wonder if I had not contacted them if they ever would have sent the missing plant.
I will not be ordering from this company again. If you do not mind all this delivery confusion and lack of notification then their plants are large and hearty. I mind so that is it for me !
On Apr 16, 2008, de_transplant Newark, DE (Zone 7a) wrote:
Placed online order 3/8/08, and printed it out, which clearly stated shipping would occur 4/7/08. No confirmation by e-mail received. Called two times 4/14, 4/15, when order had not arrived. First time, Chris's voice mail promised to call back later in the day-no return call. Second time, a lady promised to check on order and call back later, claimed computer problems-no return call. Then Mary called at 7 PM, claiming computer problems, heavy snowfalls and cloudy days for delays, necessitating postponing shipments for 2-3 weeks. I cancelled entire order which Mary agreed to confirm. Since this company has only been in business since the "summer of 2006", it seems its ability to fulfill orders despite "unexpected" weather problems is in doubt. Could it be that everyone in this company was put to work shoveling snow for two weeks? Presently, I can do better with many other reputable suppliers who have less in the way of web design and more in consistency. May consider them again in the future, if they can better manage their priorities, i.e., "customers come first".
