This was one of my favorite places to order specific varieties that I couldn't find locally. I called them and asked what caused the increase per plant, but it was lunchtime and said they want to talk to me and would return my call. Does anyone know anything about this? Is this going on with all perennial catalog companies?

Bluestone was my mainstay over 10 years and I was always happy with their friendly staff, great packaging, healthy plants and super replacement policy. To my mind they're going to lose a lot of business increasing their prices when people are having a hard time in this economy . My 2012 order for 12 plants would cost me $33 more this year compared to last year's catalog. I'm not going to use them anymore!

Kevin

The last two years I started searching local nurseries even the big box stores Lowes, Home Depot and have found I can get a bigger plant, better quality, and at a much lower price than what I can order online. If you shop your local places some will even order a plant that you want with their regular orders if you tell them in the Fall. Just imagine getting a large plant locally for 9.00 but ordering the same plant and paying 15.00 plus shipping. It is crazy.

I realize some do not have transportation or live in very rural areas if you can only order online all you have to do is wait for the sales. All the online companies will offer sales. The point here is we can no longer pull out the catalogues in the winter and start shopping at a reasonable price.

You are going to have to be patient and become a informed shopper. Wait for the sales. Prepare your beds and make space for the late orders if you have to order late in the season. Get those bed in the best shape ever. Lots of compost rich fluffy soil. Make a marker where you want the plant and sit back and wait as soon as it hits your door step at the price you wanted to pay. All you will have to do it plop it in the ground where you already have the marker.

Good Luck and happy gardening at an affordable price. LOL

I was quoting the "three plant prices for" cost right out of the 2011catalog that I'm looking at. Yes the plants were small, but by the time August came the small plants they sent were large plants. I don't care about large plants if I have to pay 60% more for them, plus higher shipping because of their weight. I don't care to pay for their new biodegradable pots either. No I won't do any more business with Bluestone.

And Marquest, your thoughts are worthy of consideration. I've noticed very competitive prices last fall at some of my local businesses. Good idea about asking a business to order something special. Thanks for the input.

It was disappointing to see the people at Bluestone make such poor decisions. You'd think they would know the public wouldn't stand for a 60% price hike. We're already paying big time price increases in food and gasoline..

By the way, I noticed on Dave's Garden, the Watchdog section that Bluestone is getting more negative reviews about their price hike.

Karen

I know it hurts but things are what they are. I always try to put myself in the place of someone else. If it was my business and it was what put food on the table for my children I would have to raise the prices to cover the business. I could not take the food out of my children's mouth to keep prices low for people I do not know.

I do not see many online Mom and Pop online nurseries surviving this economy.

In addition, we've become so accustomed to finding better deals online than shopping locally. For example, the last 2 or 3 electronics purchases I've made have been online - better prices, no sales tax, free shipping.

With plant purchases, the opposite seems to happen. You can find better prices if you shop locally, but you have to be willing to spend your time running around to the various nurseries (assuming you have a bunch of 'em in your area) in hopes of finding what you want. I for one, am not willing to do that. I simply hate shopping. I despise it! Period!! (The only exception being grocery shopping. I know I'm odd, but for some reason I love doing that.)

I was very satisfied with my Bluestone order last spring and will be ordering from them again. I realize the plants won't be as large, but they'll grow up quickly and I'll have exactly the variety I want with no shopping around on my part. Like I said above, the ability to do it from my home is worth it to me.

Kevin

Every plant mentioned in the opening post is a common variety widely available at local nurseries in most places. Much better to seek out healthy plants at those outlets and avoid shipping costs and potential damage.

Given current economic conditions, I wonder if seed houses that sell perennial varieties are experiencing a boom in business.

I've been looking around for someplace that still has cheap perennials. Has anyone ordered from American Meadows? They have a range, some only 3 or 4 dollars right now and their ratings are good. They're in the Garden Watchdog top five. They have perennials on sale but I don't see when the sale ends.

There's a nursery in my area that holds a promotion every spring, in which it sells starter-size perennials, $1 for a three-pack. It's wildly popular and the place is jammed (they hire off-duty cops for traffic and parking control). I've wondered why more nurseries don't do this - maybe the profit margin and the extra customers they lure in aren't worthwhile enough.

They've decided to grow larger plants and put them in biodegradable pots which go right into the ground. Apparently they figured people wanted larger plants and didn't want to deal with plastic pots. I don't think they talked to their customers to see if this would fly or not. I think this isn't what the majority of gardeners want. I've never had any trouble getting perennials started from small plastic pots. I loved the low cost and small plants. Go figure why companies shoot themselves in the foot.

The old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" would have been a wiser thing for Bluestone. Small plants and plastic pots are a good thing.

(I'm still ticked about how Land's End quality went down the cr*pper after they got into bed with KMart/Sears. Idiots.)

I haven't looked at my catalog yet. I'm disappointed in the change - I liked the little 3-packs and the lower prices.

While I can understand why they made changes - costs, trying to stay viable in a business that counts on discretionary income, etc., I'm not sure this will work for them. I'll probably buy something from them (used to buy almost EVERYTHING from them!) just to try out the new system, but I'm reserving judgment till then, and certainly wish them luck. I wouldn't have a garden without Bluestone.

Not a single local nursery in my area has the great guarantee Bluestone has. One of the locals has a sign that reads "If you buy it and it dies... it's dead. No refunds or replacements". I prefer Bluestone's guarantee to that!

Dee

One thing I wonder about is if there has been a change in ownership. Sometimes drastic changes in policies occur when the person who started the business decides to sell and retire and an ambitious new owner sees dollar signs, not fully understanding much of the company's business came from good relationships and not "the highest price we can get."

Try Dee's link to the July/August thread about Bluestone's business change. Lots of upset gardeners posted there.

Wendey