What I found strange is that the RHS did not recognise Miscanthus ‘Indian Summer’. The only people who I saw listing it for sale were newspaper mail order offers, mass market suppliers like Thomson & Morgan, and Groupon. No specialist grass suppliers that I looked at listed it which suggests to me that some mass production cloning facility is churning these plants out and offering them only to selected suppliers buying vast quantities. This does not render it unsuitable but, as I say, does make it odd.
@Doghouse Riley you said your experience of these offers was “back in the day”. The inference is that was years ago and the passage time has tarnished the value of your comment. Back in the day I had loon pants, orange casseroles and an Austin A40. None stood the test of time.
I think one of the problems is referring to "back in the day". We were probably more assured of getting a good deal years ago than we are now. There is far more scope for rubbish deals these days. Bit like the bought compost issue which many are finding a problem - particularly over the last 3 or 4 years. It's what is happening now that is relevant to the OP's ( and others ) query which is the issue and responding posts are taking that into account. Or at least, that is how I'm reading this thread.
What I found strange is that the RHS did not recognise Miscanthus ‘Indian Summer’. The only people who I saw listing it for sale were newspaper mail order offers, mass market suppliers like Thomson & Morgan, and Groupon. No specialist grass suppliers that I looked at listed it which suggests to me that some mass production cloning facility is churning these plants out and offering them only to selected suppliers buying vast quantities. This does not render it unsuitable but, as I say, does make it odd.
@Doghouse Riley you said your experience of these offers was “back in the day”. The inference is that was years ago and the passage time has tarnished the value of your comment. Back in the day I had loon pants, orange casseroles and an Austin A40. None stood the test of time.
I'm sure you looked great in those, get those clothes out again and call yourself a "Mid Century Moderneer," it's the latest trend, I'm told.
No tarnish, my "back in the day" was about ten years ago.
As I said before, I don't think you'll get "a duff deal" sponsored by them from a national newspaper (not just an advertiiser, which would be different).
Maybe someone will come on and actually mention a specific deal that they took up from a newspaper which turned out badly, but don't hold your breath.
I've had good deals from eBay on all sorts as well as gardening stuff for about twenty years. I'll only deal with vendors with a lot of sales and 100% feedback.
These suppliers will "bend over backwards" to protect their reputation, so will be willing to sort out any problems you have.
Just on plants, I bought one last year and I was disappointed as it wasn't as nice as the illustration. The supplier was a recognised nursery. I politely told them in an email and they gave me a full refund and I kept the plant.
I think a lot of the Mirror offers are actually Thompson and Morgan. Sometimes they are Hayloft. It usually says in the smallprint somewhere who is the ultimate supplier.
I think a lot of the Mirror offers are actually Thompson and Morgan. Sometimes they are Hayloft. It usually says in the smallprint somewhere who is the ultimate supplier.
Perhaps the OP could confirm.
I did say in the third post on this long thread, which I thought might be helpful.
"The tabloids often have a tie in for these with one of the major
on-line and catalogue suppliers, like Thompson & Morgan, but not
always the same one. So they should be reliable.
I don't buy newspapers any more so I don't see them."
But obviously not, given a lot of the speculation and unhelpful comments that followed.
This offer from the Mirror is being fulfilled by J. Parker’s who were ranked 18/32 in a recent Which? survey of mail order plant suppliers
I quite like Parkers, they've a garden centre near me. Therefore I've not bought anything on line from them.
I think anything you buy where the items can be slightly different as can be plants and have to "picked," as does any home delivery for groceries and particularly vegetables, you're relying on the "picker," more than the company.
Posts
You really have a problem don't you? I'm recognising it, so I'll leave it there.
@Doghouse Riley you said your experience of these offers was “back in the day”. The inference is that was years ago and the passage time has tarnished the value of your comment. Back in the day I had loon pants, orange casseroles and an Austin A40. None stood the test of time.
Bit like the bought compost issue which many are finding a problem - particularly over the last 3 or 4 years.
It's what is happening now that is relevant to the OP's ( and others ) query which is the issue and responding posts are taking that into account. Or at least, that is how I'm reading this thread.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.