You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
On May 31, 2006, DonnaMack Grayslake, IL (Zone 5a) wrote:
I had a disappointing experience with this vendor. I placed an order for a Hydrangea Querquefolia Snowflake (a 3 year plant, at $42.50,not including shipping) on January 9, 2006, and received a confirming invoice, which noted that my plant was “in queue”. On February 25, I let them know that I would be out of town from April 14 to April 18, and received an e-mail thanking me for my schedule and stating that I would receive e-mail notification of shipping. I did this with several vendors, including Forest Farm and Bluestone. Forest Farm was particularly accommodating in shipping my order after my return. Bluestone’s normal shipping for my zone, 5a, was May, but I was pleased by the handling of the matter by customer service. On April 25 I received an e-mail from Kristin Van House at Hydrangea Plus stating that my Snowflake could not be sent until fall. Evidently my plant was given to someone else who placed the initial order after I did. I declined fall shipment. Fortunately I was able to immediately order an excellent 3-foot (advertised at 12 to 18 inches) Sykes Dwarf from Plant and Gnome, which cost a total of $18.00, including shipping. Otherwise, I would have had a large and obvious hole in my landscaping, and as the owner of several other oakleafs, I am aware that fall planting greatly increases the chance of winter death in zone 5a.
On May 23, 2004, ctgardener Sherman, CT (Zone 5b) wrote:
I purchased a Blaumeise specimen from Hydrangeas Plus last spring after a long telephone consultation. The plant arrived looking a bit droopy and had a very tiny root ball. The area it was planted in drains well and the planting instructions provided were meticulously followed. It was protected over the winter and I was truly looking forward to it's blossoming this year. The plant did not survive.
When contacted via email, they stated that I may not have protected the plant sufficiently and questioned the zone. This was particularly offensive since this was one of my initial concerns. Another hydrangea purchased locally and planted at the same time is thriving.
They offered to replace it at half price plus shipping, which is why this rating is neutral. I declined their offer not wanting to throw good money after bad.
I ordered hydrangeas for the first time this year via mail order. I received two plants from Hydrangeas Plus and was a little dissapointed, although if they have a variety I want will probably order from them again. The two plants I received (both paniculata) had very little dirt around the root balls and were very stressed when I received them. It took at least three months of repeated wilting before they finally settled in (other hydrangeas I ordered from other companies did not have this same problem). They appear to be doing ok now. I don't have to water as frequently as I did for the first few months so I am very hopeful they should make it through their first winter.
