3 White Swan Echinacea for ONLY $35.85. That comes to $11.95 for each of a common seed variety of Echinacea. I have seen these for 3-5 dollars each around here. I surely wouldn't consider $11.95 a sale price!

3 Coreopsis 'Zagreb' for $31.05

And the list of absurdities goes on and on. I just can't believe this email.

I have never bought from them, I understand their ratings are poor, but I don't understand this desire on the part of some gardeners to do gardening businesses harm.

Everyone knows that WFF always has higher prices. WFF even knows it. If they feel they are providing something different that they believe is worth the higher price, that is their right. If there are people who see something good about WFF that makes them want to pay more money, that is fine too. But some people don't see any reason to pay more money for something that is commonly available at much lower prices. Simple.

i have no clue why one would pay for a Mercedes ...

but all the power to them ....

but i wont mock them if that is their prerogative ...

i think that is ninas point ..

but on the other hand.. i dont think that was OP's point either ... his point was they are common stock ...

the rule always remains.. caveat emptor ...

ken

Karen

WFF has gotten a reputation not only for sticker shock but for undersized and ailing plants, which is not a good combination.

For years I've enjoyed getting their catalog to see what new introductions I might want to get elsewhere (and to marvel at what they charge for dirt-common ornamentals). Sadly, as the last purchase I made from them was over a decade ago (some amaryllis bulbs as an Xmas present for my father), they seem to have wised up and stopped sending me catalogs. :(

I also used to love getting their catalog. It was such a great read with stories from the farm told by "Amos", and all that snob appeal with $100 yellow clivias and lady slippers!

For example, I know I pay more for my groceries at the locally-owned store which is across the street as opposed to the large chain store a few miles down the road, but I gladly shop there for a few reasons: (a) time is a very valuable commodity for me, and running to the grocer less than a mile away and getting in and out of a small store is worth it; (b) IMO their meat and produce is top-notch, nicer than the chain store; (c) service is outstanding; (d) is locally owned and I feel good about supporting a local small business owner. See - I *know* I pay more, and I still willingly shop there every week - it's not about the money.

Same thing goes for plant material or whatever the heck else one is buying, so don't knock them solely on the basis of being pricey. Obviously it must not bother some folks, they perhaps place value on something other than price, which is the point I'm trying to make. :o)

People's observations are spot on: most of the catalogue items sold
through WFF are definitely overpriced. . .but, as others have pointed
out, they have been in business a long time, and have clearly found
their upscale market, for whom the price is simply irrelevant . That
said, I would humbly suggest that isn't the complete picture of WFF. . .
if you live within a reasonable distance, I whole-heartedly recommend
that you make a day-trip to this remarkable nursery. You may NOT
end up buying anything -although I'd be willing to bet you will! - but
that's not the reason to go. . .they have some of the most magnificent
perennial gardens around, (including a white "moon" garden); massive
hosta plantings that are decades old; and, if you go during a few specific weeks during the summer, the greenhouse full of their legendary (and wildly
expensive!) Blackmore & Langdon begonias will take your breathe away.
When was the last time you visited a nursery where most of the perennials
were laid out in alphabetical, (and botanical) order? Every few years, a
group of us pack a big picnic lunch and head up there for the day - yes,
there's acres of lawn for picnics and ample restroom facilities, with lovely
restaurants and coffee shops in downtown Litchfield nearby , if you prefer that route. Besides, just spending a day ANYWHERE in northwestern
Connecticut is a pleasure!

Finally, if you'd really like to learn the history of WFF - and, yes, some of it
is manufactured - try to get your local library to locate you a copy of
"The White-Flower-Farm Garden Book" (pub. 1966). which is exceedingly
rare. . .the first half is all history - they were pioneers in more ways than
one - and the encyclopedic second half is a template for the lush catalogs
that eventually evolved. I was lucky enough to discover this book in a
friend's collection in the early 1970's, and by the latter part of that
decade, I had made my first pilgrimage to CT. . .and 35 years later, while
no longer one of their customers (the competitive nursery industry has
exploded since those early days), I still look forward to those trips north.
It's a fascinating journey, on so many different levels. . .

Carl

Karen

===>> yeah.. but if someone wants THAT bentley ... all the power to them.. if they will pay the focus owner.. for the bentley name plate .. lol

and i hope they get in contact with me.. because i have some good swamp land to sell them ... its got a bridge too ...

who was it.. Barnum .. or bailey.. some clown ...there is a sucker born every minute. ...

caveat emptor ...

ken

Karen