Thanks all for sharing your experiences, good to hear that some of you have positive stories to share I will try J Parkers next year, but too late for me to change my orders for this year. I don't fancy my chances of trying to cancel and get a refund from Suttons or T&M!
I've ordered both plants and bulbs from J Parkers, both the wholesale and the retail side, plants including bare-root, small plugs and 3" plugs. I've had a few instances of wrong plants being sent but they've been replaced (when it was obvious straight away - they sent me lavenders instead of verbenas) or refunded (when it became evident later, eg wrong variety of geraniums). Everything has been healthy.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I have petchoa on order from a local nursery, due to be collected yesterday from them. About 10 days ago they emailed to say hold back for a week or two because of the poor growing conditions this season.
I ordered some plug plants from South eastern horticultural a couple of weeks ago. It's the first time I have used this company. The plants arrived yesterday, and I was very impressed, every one healthy, and very well packaged.
I don't buy plug plants but I do receive almost daily emails from Suttons offering just about everything from Dahlias to Geraniums to Fuchsias - usually stating either Clearance or Last Minute Offers. Not sure what's going on with Suttons - they used to be a reputable supplier years ago but I don't think I would consider them as such these days.
I get some annuals from my local Asda. They've just started to put them on dispaly, so I'll wait a couple of days, then pay 50p for half a dozen in a tray because they can't be bothered watering them and they're looking a bit limp - soak them at home for 12 hours - pot them on and they're good to go. Well, most are anyway.
Not sure if they do the plants you want but I have bought from Woolmans before and had no problems. I am re- stocking my Chrysanthemums from them this year, due later this Month.
I've not had a problem with J Parkers - bare root strawbs and bare root wallflowers - given a good soaking before potting on and all have done well.
The only time I have purchased plug plants was almost 20 years ago - think pelargoniums - and didn't have any complaints. They were from T and M but as many have already discovered, that company has deteriorated in both quality and service since then.
Okay, I am so done with ordering plants via mail, I give up! After delays with the delivery I just received my busy lizzie plug plants from T&M and they look like this. All dead with leaves missing, nothing but stumps!
Posts
I will try J Parkers next year, but too late for me to change my orders for this year. I don't fancy my chances of trying to cancel and get a refund from Suttons or T&M!
The only time I have purchased plug plants was almost 20 years ago - think pelargoniums - and didn't have any complaints. They were from T and M but as many have already discovered, that company has deteriorated in both quality and service since then.
After delays with the delivery I just received my busy lizzie plug plants from T&M and they look like this. All dead with leaves missing, nothing but stumps!