I don't know about all the people who offer these guarantees but a lot of the companies pay virtually nothing for their plants, so it isn't much of a risk to them.
On the flip side I've had problems with online retailers where the plant was dead on arrival that argued every point and made it near impossible to get a refund. They no longer get my business.
I've had 2 magnolia butterfly arrive in abd order - one from packaging failures and the replacement from a failure by the receiving agent to document its place on their shelves so it was "lost" for a week. I took photos both time and had first the replacement then a refund.
@GardenerSuze - that white form of asphodel is a ntive wildflower here and grows prolifically in road side ditches. It's gorgeous and has a soft apricot blush at the base of each wee flower in the spike. The Vendée gardening club to which I belong is called L'Asphodèle.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
We spoke to our local garden centre about a "self fertile" kiwi that we had bought from them MORE than 5 years ago. Never flowered and so no fruit. We still had their label. Without hesitation they gave us a male and female kiwi with no cost to us and last year we had our first ever kiwis! However another nursery refused to look at the plant we returned to them after 4 months (dead as a dodo). They said that they only guarantee plants for 7 DAYS!
One nursery here will give 10 years guarantee if they come to plant it themselves. At a cost of course. So for an expensive Amelanchier I thought it would be a good idea, I choose it there, then they delivered and planted adding their own compost for the purpose. All well so far.
I would never take back a failed plant, I just wouldn't know if it was me or them.
@Obelixx Yes if it comes to mind a photo would be lovely to see. @Silversurfer Just been looking at your link. Both white and yellow forms need good drainage. I think my friend did well to keep it so long, as cold together with wet winters won't suit them.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I've taken advantage of the 1-year guarantee a few times at my local big-box store. Only ever for woody plants, though, nothing herbaceous. How are you even supposed to return something that died when there's nothing left of the plant!
@GardenerSuze the ditches here are usually dry by April or May when these plants start flowering and I have no idea how deep the rhizomes are or how they'll be affected by this very wet winter. Our plant fair is the third Saturday in April and normally I cut some from the banks I pass on the way La Roche to man the cake stand but last year they weren't quite ready.
I'm planning to collect seed this year to see if they'll grow in my garden as they're great for pollinators. Never seen them on sale, except the yellow form which I don't like.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Posts
On the flip side I've had problems with online retailers where the plant was dead on arrival that argued every point and made it near impossible to get a refund. They no longer get my business.
@GardenerSuze - that white form of asphodel is a ntive wildflower here and grows prolifically in road side ditches. It's gorgeous and has a soft apricot blush at the base of each wee flower in the spike. The Vendée gardening club to which I belong is called L'Asphodèle.
https://www.google.com/search?q="asphodelus+albus"&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjk6fS-zumDAxWPsScCHVN6BAcQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq="asphodelus+albus"&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQDDIECAAQHjIECAAQHjIECAAQHjIECAAQHjIHCAAQgAQQGDIHCAAQgAQQGDIHCAAQgAQQGDoECCMQJ1CcCVjuIGDGM2gAcAB4AIABkQGIAeoCkgEDMS4ymAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=ioCqZeT8DY_jnsEP0_SROA&bih=559&biw=1283&rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB785GB785&hl=en-GB
However another nursery refused to look at the plant we returned to them after 4 months (dead as a dodo). They said that they only guarantee plants for 7 DAYS!
I would never take back a failed plant, I just wouldn't know if it was me or them.
Luxembourg
@Silversurfer Just been looking at your link.
Both white and yellow forms need good drainage. I think my friend did well to keep it so long, as cold together with wet winters won't suit them.
I'm planning to collect seed this year to see if they'll grow in my garden as they're great for pollinators. Never seen them on sale, except the yellow form which I don't like.