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| Spring is almost here, and with that rose orders are arriving! I received three of my potted ownroot orders this week (and one bvareroot from Witherspoon). I thought it would be interesting to post what you get for your dollar at three different mail order nurseries :) Two of these I've purchased from before, and I was happy as always. The third, I was not impressed with at all, and will not be ordering from again. Here's a look at what I received. Please feel free to add to this post with your own order comments :)
~Tammy First is my order from Angel Gardens. Pam is so helpful and has never steered me wrong. Pretty sure I'll be a long term customer of hers! From left to right:
My Hartwood order from Connie: I was expecting smaller plants because its so early in the spring, but nope....they are just huge and beautiful! This was my second time ordering from Hartwood, and I'll definitely be back! Left to Right (all 1g for $15)
Third, and I don't know if its proper to name names on here so I won't, but this was my disappointing order. It was from a nursary I've seen reccomended on here more than once, so I was very surprised when I opened my boxes. I ordered 10 with high hopes, and of the 10, 5 in my opinion were too small and not rooted enough to ship. They are sold as gallons, but are much smaller even than any bands I've ever rec'd... Left to Right (all 1g $10)
Here's a couple of more pics of two of the five VERY small ones (guess I'll have to keep them in the greenhouse all season) SDLM Rouge
Bayse's Blueberry (yes, that little half dead twig in the middle)
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| Oh dear! I'd say that last one, in particular, should never have been shipped. Don't matter WHO the vendor was. I believe I would contact the vendor and request my $$ back, on that one. Jeri |
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| I agree with Jeri, contact the vendor. At least the SdlM looks alive but the Bayse does not look very good at all. Although I have to say I've gotten some pretty small bands that I never thought would make it and they ended up growing so fast I couldn't believe my eyes. I don't think there's anything that says you can't name names. We often post reviews for nurseries we've dealt with, good and bad. It's the only way to pass the word. And any nursery worth it's salt knows that. Let us know what happens. |
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| Sorry about your luck with that one vendor. You should go ahead and mention who they are. I see a Pug's tail in one of those pics. ;-) We've been a Pug family for almost a couple of decades, now. Great dogs and the best for kids! |
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| The last vendor is Rose Petals (I hate to mention names, but I guess I'm helping by doing so) eek! Lol...yes, that's a pug tail! I actually have 4 of them (plus a couple other dogs of my own and I foster as well) :) I have a 4 year old and 11 year old that I've had since they were puppies, then I have two special needs seniors that I'm fostering for the animal shelter I volunteer at (although, honestly they'll probably live out their days with me!) One is 100% deaf and only has vision in one eye, and the other is almost completely blind and partially deaf. Plus, my 11 year old is blind from cataracts...sometimes I feel like I'm running a pug retirement home :) But I love them dearly! |
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- Posted by socks12345 Zone 9 (My Page) on Fri, Mar 9, 12 at 8:41
| How funny to ID a dog by a random shot of its tail! But I guess it is a pretty distinctive tail! I would surely recognize a Westie tail! Tammy, in all fairness, you need to contact Rose Petals and let them know of your dis-satisfaction with your order. Then you can post back here to let us know how it goes. |
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- Posted by Strawberryhill 5a IL (My Page) on Fri, Mar 9, 12 at 9:29
| Tammy, thank you for posting those pictures. I also appreciate your pics. from Roses Unlimited and Chamblee's in last year's post. I'm glad that you specified Rose Petals, since BurlingtonRoses carry the same roses. Rose Petals should give you the tiny rootings for free - they are 1/4 of the band-size I got from High Country Roses in Colorado: over 1 foot tall, lush with leaves, and full of buds. |
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| I guess I'll shoot them an email this weekend, and see what they say... |
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- Posted by thonotorose FL 9 (My Page) on Fri, Mar 9, 12 at 20:37
| I recognized the method of labeling the pot that RP's uses, so in my case the secret was already out. Also, please do not write them off. They are new owners and probably going through a learning curve. You can be a part of their education. |
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| Thanks Thonorose, I sent them an email with these pictures attached a couple of hours ago, so I'll update on what they say. I wasn't nasty or anything in the email, I just let them know that I've dealt with many other vendors and was disappointed in the quality of their roses. I'll update on the out come :) I guess depending on the resolution, that will determine if I'll take the chance again. A couple of the roses I received were of nice size (like Maggie in the picture) it was about 50/50 for nice plants and puney unrooted cuttings....we'll see...keep you posted! Tammy |
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| ANYTHING we can do to save vendors is a good dead. We've lost too many, and can't afford to lose more. Jeri |
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| sheesh - i thought 'pugs tail' was some sort of weird americanism for summat horticultural....until i peered really closely. must sort out specs (eyes, teeth, hair - falling apart, oh nooooes). Can i move into your retirement home? |
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- Posted by mike_rivers z5 MI (My Page) on Sat, Mar 10, 12 at 10:30
| I second what Jeri said about rose vendors - and I thought every one on this posting was remarkably reasonable about the matter. |
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| I'm happy to report that I received an email first thing this morning appologizing, and that they are going to issue me a refund for three of the roses :) And yes, I agree that we are losing too many nurseries. I just hope that in their financial trouble, they also keep their quality up. I Rec'd my Vintage Gardens order last week, and we all know their financial situation, and their roses were as big, if not bigger than ever! Wonderful company! Tammy |
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| This is one of those comparisons which can really only be made with many varieties over a long period of time. So many variables come into play. There are such wide differences in climate, weather, growing conditions. Some varieties just won't make decent own root plants until they've been in the ground a while. Some varieties sell out quickly as do some sources. If you only root a hundred plants a year where another nursery pumps out a thousand, yours are likely to be smaller because they don't have enough time to develop before being sold. I agree it's disappointing to receive something that small for the price without being notified. Ideally, that's something the nursery would inform you of before shipping a ball of dirt in a can and allow you to make the decision. In these days of immediate digital images, other than time and energy, there are few reasons not to snap a photo and email it so there are no surprises or disappointments. In years past, that wasn't realistic, but today, when you can shoot the latest trick by the dog or kids and send them across the world within minutes, sending you a quick image of a potentially disappointing plant before incurring the costs of mailing it is the kindest thing to do, and, in my opinion, just good customer service. That kind of attention is sure to get more good press than it costs. The few sales it may postpone should surely be offset by the loyalty and new business it could generate. Kim |
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| I think I have gotten roses from most of the growers mentioned, but my favorite is still CHAMBLEE's... they carry a large selection, almost the same as ones mentioned, and are same, or cheaper price... and the rosess have always been large and excellent condition... in pots, not bare-root, and often in bloom.... another really good grower is K & M, they have mostly moderns, and sell only Fort. grafted, in pots...and of course are higher, but still the same price as a local nursery for grafted... the roses are usually in bloom, large and healthy and well packed... these are my two fav. nurseries.... sally |
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- Posted by floridarosez9 10 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 11, 12 at 15:38
| I've purchased from them many times previously, and I just received a gift certificate for them. My orders have always been wonderful. I will be upset if what I receive looks like that. |
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- Posted by sherryocala 9A Florida (My Page) on Sun, Mar 11, 12 at 16:24
| I'm glad Cyd at Rose Petals treated you fairly, Tammy. I wouldn't have expected otherwise. I hope your little ones pull through okay. I just planted a Maggie from RP yesterday (a little bigger than yours because I've had it a couple of weeks). Last summer I ordered 4 Austins in band pots from Heirloom Roses that were about the same size as those small ones. Graham Thomas has been in the ground for a couple of months and is still only 5" tall. The others range from a foot to maybe 15". As long as they live, I'm happy but it was disappointing to see them coming out of the box. Baby them good! I know Cyd is embarrassed by this post and will use it to improve her service to her rose-loving customers. I feel bad for both of you. Sherry |
Here is a link that might be useful: If only sweat were irrigation...
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| Cydney came by to visit this summer and I so enjoyed meeting her..she is a lovely lady. Her customer service is working fine and I am sure she will decide in the future not to send such a small plant. I bet she didn't want to disappoint and that was all she had. I have received bad plants even from my favorite nurseries. If those were the only plants I ever received from them I would have concluded that their plants were no good. I am not talking about size, but health..they looked diseased and in fact one died. Of course producing plants is not like having a factory..living things are not so easy to get consistent or uniform and some plants have a mind of their own. None of these favorite nurseries let me know in advance that the plants were iffy, and I think they should have. I like receiving the largest plants possible also, especially if they're in a big pot. But most small plants I have received thrive. |
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| Things can happen even at the best places. It's what they do about it when it happens that matters. I had a band rose from Nor'East that didn't make it and they promptly sent me a new one, no questions asked. I continued to order from them until they closed. I fought with Hortico for months on a bare root that never broke dormancy until I finally gave up and took the loss. I've never been back. If the nursery is good about replacing or refunding I have no problem and will order again. If they give me a terrible hassle I'm likely not to ever buy there again. It's not always about the product. That can vary for any number of reasons. But it is ALL about the service. |
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| Linda, yes, their customer service seems to be in good shape. I received an almost immediate response to my email. Their packing and shipping are also right on track. They were also able to combine my two seperate orders into one, which some of the larger vendors are not willing to do (or charge a fee). You're right Seil, I would much rather order a smaller rose from a customer service oriented nursary, that a place that doesn't care about their customers. Those places just aren't worth the hassel. I haven't written Rose Petals off like I initially said. Cydney's quick response probably saved a customer :) |
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- Posted by harborrose 8a-PNW (My Page) on Tue, Mar 13, 12 at 16:26
| Tammy, My Hortico order arrived today. I am very happy with the size, the packaging and the condition of the plants. I don't know, of course, for sure, whether what I ordered is what I got, but they are healthy and in good condition, anyway, whoever they are. Good luck with your order! |
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- Posted by kittymoonbeam (My Page) on Tue, Mar 13, 12 at 18:40
| I agree that the rose bands Vintage sent out were a nice size this year. I always seem to get smallish bands from Heirloom but have never lost one. I like the size of the plants from Northland Rosarium and the way they pack the plants securely. The only tiny band I got this year was from Rogue Valley but a few weeks later it is speeding right along with the rest of them. |
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| Harborrose, I'm glad to hear you received your Hortico order and were happy with it. I broke down this year and finally placed a small order with them for four roses I couldn't find elsewhere (Imperatrice Farah, Clarence House, Waltz Time, & Bill Reid). I'm hoping I have the same experience as you...mine are suppossed to ship 3/15 |
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- Posted by Strawberryhill 5a IL (My Page) on Wed, Mar 14, 12 at 9:54
| I agree with Seil that it's ABOUT SERVICE. Many years ago I placed a big order with Spring Hill Nursery but they won't let me add more to my order - how inflexible! I placed a small order with Old House Gardens in Ann Arbor, MI. I received a tiny peony rooting but a long hand-written letter of apology. I forgive this small nursery but I won't come back to Spring Hill Nursery for their giving the customer a hard time. If they are flexible with me, then I'll be flexible with them.
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- Posted by rainbowroses 7a (My Page) on Wed, Mar 14, 12 at 13:27
| ^I love old house gardens! I am looking outside my home office window and my tulips and daffodils from them are blooming beautifully. I recommend butter and eggs for any southerners! :) TNY78, I'm glad they made it up to you, and I agree, that you both handled it correctly. I think if a nursery warns you ahead of time that you will be getting small roses and it's agreed upon and the customer is aware of the fact, that's okay, but not to mislead. But, I run my own business too and if it can go wrong, it WILL go wrong, so the best we can do is come through for those customers the best we can. I wouldn't write it off either. If the problem was ignored and not fixed, then it's actually a problem. |
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| That's the key. Absolutely, what CAN go wrong, WILL. It's the same with every business. Many years ago, I worked for a SoCal retailer. I had customers who were teachers. They'd finally been able to afford their first home, about an hour's drive from the store. They were so excited to buy their first bare roots, but the yard wouldn't be ready for several weeks and everything was budgeted. I sold them a dozen roses, pots, soil, all they'd need and gave them instructions how to get it all started. Not long afterward, they called reporting things weren't going well. I asked every question I could think of to attempt to diagnose the problem over the phone. I finally asked about the soil they'd been given at the pick-up. One of our loaders put steer manure in their car, though potting soil was clearly written on the pick-up order. All dozen roses were planted in pure steer. Of course I replaced everything for them, without requiring anything be returned. I had paper documentation our employee had made the mistake. They weren't experienced enough, nor had they paid attention that the steer wasn't the right thing, but it was our responsibility to make sure what was loaded into their truck was what they paid for. I felt sorry I couldn't do more for them, but they were thrilled their new roses grew and flowered as beautifully as they had hoped, and the pile of steer came in handy for the new lawn. They remained regulars and I saw them frequently for their new garden needs. "Aftercare" and courtesy are what it's all about. Nearly every source offers virtually identical product (within limits), but it's what the PEOPLE do that makes all the difference. Kim |
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