SR is expensive but I do order from them if they're doing a discount or free postage. They sometimes have something you can't get elsewhere. I think the complaints about deliveries are probably down to the fact that deliveries can take months to arrive if you order something that's not quite ready at the nursery. I don't particularly mind this though.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
I've ordered lots of stuff from SR over the years and, on the whole, I've been pleased with what I've received. I have had the odd wrongly labelled dahlia tuber or tulip but I've had that from elsewhere too. Occasionally seedlings turn up a bit the worse for wear but if I ever feel the need to complain they are always replaced or refunded with no quibble. A major plus point for me though is that she dispatches using Royal Mail which means I pay the same postage as everyone else despite living in the so-called 'Highlands and Islands' which usually incurs a hefty surcharge from the carriers used by several other suppliers. That often means that she works out cheaper for me in the long run!
It’s the gorgeous photography that sells Sarah Raven, Jonathan Buckley. He collaborated with Christopher Lloyd too on books such as ‘Colour for Adventurous Gardeners’.
I often browse her site for ideas, then try and source elsewhere if I can (because I love her colour palette). I have ordered some seeds from SR though and am still waiting for them. Kind of wanting to get them sowed!
Yes, the photography is beautiful and she has a great eye for colour and plant combinations. I also browse her website for ideas, also her information on sowing and growing seeds is very good.
Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.
I’ve only ordered a couple of things from SR and was very happy with the results. One was a Salvia Amistad, which arrived promptly, was packaged well and bloomed like mad last year. The other was the ‘Carien collection’ of crocus corms last autumn, all of which are coming up beautifully. By comparison, the crocus corms I bought from the local garden centre which I planted in another part of the garden have come up looking a bit straggly and washed out, and nothing like the photo on the packet.
Very disappointed. I order two packets of sweet pea seeds that I had used before. These arrived this morning - February 24 with a use by date of December 2024. I have never received seeds - from a reputable and not cheap firm - with less than 2 years let alone only 10 months to use. I contacted Customer Services and the response from Aimee was 'Hello, sorry to hear you are disappointed with your order, your feedback will be passed onto our nursery team.' - not acceptable and shows no concern re valid customer feedback. Poor service and feedback seems to be a recurring theme with Sarah Raven site and products - I will be very cautious before using again.
Me too, Jane. My SR sweet pea seeds arrived two days ago also date stamped December 2024 but as sweet pea seeds remain viable for about 4 years I’m not troubled. Store them in a cool, dark, dry place.
In the same order I bought a root trainer but it came without the advertised base tray. I wasn’t exactly bothered but I phoned them to tell them and was immediately offered an £8 refund. I’m pleased with that.
I don't understand why people use her company...very few exclusive items and most can be had from better retailers for less. Everyone falling for the posh façade of Mrs R?
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In the same order I bought a root trainer but it came without the advertised base tray. I wasn’t exactly bothered but I phoned them to tell them and was immediately offered an £8 refund. I’m pleased with that.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border