topic Re: This is Why I Order Plants From in Garden

This is Why I Order Plants From

Icegoddess — Sat, 23 May 2020 00:42:39 GMT

Bluestone Perennials. My plants just arrived. Even though they were backed up like everybody else and my order was not expected until at least another week, I got a notice 2 days ago that it had shipped. This is what it looked like when I opened the box.

Of course they are a bit dry, so I watered and put them outside in a large saucer with a little water in the bottom. I have gotten plants from them in a bit worse shape, but still had good results in my garden.

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

rms1954 — Sat, 23 May 2020 01:41:21 GMT

They look 100% better than what I received .... DOA. What a huge disappointment. First I was told they were on back order, then they could not fill the order. Now I received six dead plants. My husband said to plant them anyway but I feel I wasted my time. He says "they'll come back." Oh, OK.

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

Icegoddess — Sat, 23 May 2020 02:03:07 GMT

@rms1954 these were not from any of the shopping channel vendors. I haven't had any luck with them in years. I did get some healthy replacement plants from Robertas a year later, but they were NOTHING like I ordered, not even meant for the same conditions, and looked exactly like some weeds that grow in my yard.

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

rms1954 — Sat, 23 May 2020 02:13:44 GMT

I will check their onlite site. Thanks.

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

50Mickey — Sat, 23 May 2020 02:38:56 GMT

What are these plants?

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

JustJazzmom — Sat, 23 May 2020 04:35:24 GMT

I've used Bluestone Perennials for years and swear by them. They even ship in September when many mailorder nurseries are starting to close down for the season. Their plants are smaller but healthy, and they stand by their plants. They ship in a natural coir pot, which I remove. Bluestone says you can plant directly into the ground & the coir disintegrates over time. I did that 1 year & lost the plant. When I have gotten plants from them, I cut away the coir & plant directly. Their online catalog is extensive.

Is that epimedium? @Icegoddess

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

Icegoddess — Sat, 23 May 2020 04:55:19 GMT

@50Mickey @JustJazzmom, no epimedium although I do have some in my garden that struggles because the dirt where it is planted is really bad.

Agastache Kudos Ambrsia which has orange/rose flowers. Hummingbirds like agastache.

Chrysogonum Pierre which is a ground cover with yellow flowers. I have a spot in front of a tree lilac that needs something, but it has to be very low growing because there's a sprinkler head in tha corner.

Salvia Pretty in Pink - a perennial salvia

Clematis Samaritan Jo- a type that doesn't need to be pruned and doesn't need full sun.

Adenophora Amethyst aka Ladybells which gets kinda tall 30-36" and has spikes of bell-shaped flowers.

I was going to get a Buddleia Prince Charming which is a dwarf Buddleia with dark pink flowers, but they were sold out. Seems they are sold out everywhere. I even almost succumed to the Leaf & Petal ones until I read the reviews about how poor a condition they arrived in.

I'll probably cut away the coir too. The agastache I bought last year and planted with the coir didn't come back. But, that also could be due to the extensive rains we had all winter.

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

qvcfreak — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:36:18 GMT

My friends who don't garden have given me dead plants their bosses have given them for Admin Day. I bring them home and with a little love, they are back and beautiful.

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

mousiegirl — Sun, 24 May 2020 00:07:51 GMT

@Icegoddess wrote:
Bluestone Perennials. My plants just arrived. Even though they were backed up like everybody else and my order was not expected until at least another week, I got a notice 2 days ago that it had shipped. This is what it looked like when I opened the box.

Of course they are a bit dry, so I watered and put them outside in a large saucer with a little water in the bottom. I have gotten plants from them in a bit worse shape, but still had good results in my garden.

@Icegoddess I have bought tons of plants from Bluestone, but I admit that they are much smaller than plants I get from Digging Dog and Annie's Annuals, also sells perennials. Your plants look fine and once they are planted or put into pots, will get going in growth.

Bluestone does have good customer service, will replace any plants that died within a resonable amount of time.

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

Icegoddess — Sun, 24 May 2020 00:25:43 GMT

@mousiegirl I wasn't complaining about the condition of the plants I received. If you compare it to anything I have received from Robertas or Cottage Farms recently these are beautiful. I expect them to be dry and need watering after the transit. They're a bit pricey, but good plants.

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

mousiegirl — Sun, 24 May 2020 00:38:09 GMT

@Icegoddess wrote:
@mousiegirl I wasn't complaining about the condition of the plants I received. If you compare it to anything I have received from Robertas or Cottage Farms recently these are beautiful. I expect them to be dry and need watering after the transit. They're a bit pricey, but good plants.

@Icegoddess I didn't think you were complaining.

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

Grade1Teach — Sun, 24 May 2020 09:30:36 GMT

I ordered from Bluestone Perennials last year and was very impressed with their shipping.

Although I knew the plants would be small upon arrival, I have to admit that I was disappointed in how tiny they were when I actually received them. I felt the plants should have been bigger for the price I paid (with shipping!).

I spent almost $300 on that order last year and I was disappointed in the growth of the plants over the summer. I planted some of the items in those pots they came in and they died. Bluestone did replace them though. I removed the pots before planting the second time around and most survived.

I kind of wrote them off for this year because I felt they didn't grow as expected and the prices were just too high for the quality. However, to my surprise, the plants from last year really took off this year! The hydrangreas have practically quadrupled in size, my daylilies look like I have had them for years, and my geraniums are small, but thriving. The only major disappointment I had from them was the campanula. I had ordered 3 sets (got those replaced last year) and only one has survived. It's supposed to be blooming already and it's not, so I'm assuming it's a loss at this point.

I would consider buying from them again next year now that I know what to expect. The size they ship their plants in (and the high price) is still a consideration, but if they thrive, it's worth it in the end.

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

JustJazzmom — Mon, 25 May 2020 00:48:44 GMT

@Grade1Teach Just remember that perennials take time to reach their expected height & width. Here's a cute saying:

1st year sleep

2nd year creep

3rd year leap

I have a few Hakone grass & Tricyrtis from them & this is year 2 in the ground. They are still on the smallish side but when compared to more established ones I have, I would say they are medium-ish?

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

luvmyteddy4 — Tue, 26 May 2020 14:13:30 GMT

I received my 2 perennial hibiscus plants from Barbara King about a month ago and I thought why ship them so early. I planted them anyway and put straw around the pots. They are now turning green and spouting so I think they might work! I hope they do!

Re: This is Why I Order Plants From

tototwo — Fri, 29 May 2020 12:35:22 GMT

I ordered from Bluestone 3 years in a row and got beautiful plants that grew like crazy. Then, one year every plant I received from them arrived dead and I had difficulty getting replacements. The replacements arrived dead also and customer service wouldn't replace a second time. I haven't ordered from Bluestone since then.