topic Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience? in Garden

Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

Kayla76 — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 15:19:02 GMT

I really need your help. I am finally getting my yard landscaped! I'm unable to travel so I buy most things locally or online. I have been watching the garden shows and have fallen in love with many of the plants that are otherwise unavailable to me.

It makes me nervous to purchase so many plants for the first time from someone I've never done business with like this, but it's not like I can order one thing at a time to check out their quality. It seems most of the reviews on the different plants are from unhappy customers. I'm hoping the happy ones are too busy enjoying theirs to respond!

I'm wanting to buy quite a few things, but am on the fence. Can anyone give me any positive reviews on these companies? I've "googled" most of the plants and for the majority, elsewhere they cost more, are only available as seeds or are sold out -with no prices or reviews).

Most of the plants seem to be a good deal for what you get - if they are honest in their sales pitches. I'm a reasonably good gardener with a mostly green thumb. I just don't want to be taken in by a good sales pitch! Help!

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

OkeyDokey — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 15:52:21 GMT

If I were going to purchase a lot of plants, I would purchase the bulk of them through a local nursery with a good reputation. Most of them offer some sort of warranty on their products. Many times, they can order specialty plants for you. That being said, I have never had an experience with QVC's plant vendors.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

Perkup — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 16:11:00 GMT

I agree that you would get excellent plants if you buy from a local nursery, or from a store that offers locally grown plants, since they are already acclimated to your area. I've done both - bought locally and from QVC. I have to say that the plants I get locally seem to be sturdier and quicker to flower, but QVC's vendors do offer plants that you can't find locally in most areas. Some of the things I've bought from the Q have done well, while others seem to have suffered from the transit to my home. I suspect that plants ordered after the heat sets in here would have a very bad effect.

If you're looking for "usual" plants, I would buy locally. If you want specialty things that aren't offered locally, then I think either Roberta's or Cottage Farms would serve you well. Both offer guarantees, and from my experience, they stand behind what they sell.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

kitty60 — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 17:00:12 GMT

I agree, I would purchase locally. I have purchased some from both Roberta's and Cottage Farm. Some did not grow and some did not come back. Forget the warranty!

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

mousiegirl — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 18:52:45 GMT

I buy everywhere I got on line and researched companies selling what I was interested in, mostly plants that were not available at garden centers, and all much less expensive than garden centers. I buy large shrubs and trees locally.

Some very good garden companies which deliver excellent plants and stand by them, are Wayside, White Flower Farm, Digging Dog, just to name a few. There are companies specializing in Hydrangeas from which I bought a ton, but also buy them from the companies I mentioned. I bought a set of three from cottage Farms this year, but havn't received them yet.

I just received the sedum from Cottage Farms, and it looks great after being en route for a week. Everything I ordered from this company last year, is thriving. I ordered a set of three butterfly plants from Roberta's last year, and one arrived half dead and soon died, the other two are okay, but the plants were very small, not as was presented, so didn't order any Roberta's this year.

Last year, I bought tons of Daylilies from different companies on line, and they are wonderful, strong plants, and most orders came with one to three bonus plants. I just potted them in one gallon black cans or larger, just love this process, as I wasn't able to plant them right away, and I have bought all of my old fashioned roses such as Austin, on line, on their own roots so they are much stronger than grafted.

A lot of my plants also come from divisions of plants that I bought years ago, helps to fill in spaces at no cost, and affords drifts of plants for a wonderful effect.

I recently ordered many Hostas on line from Gilbert Wild which also sells Daylilies which I bought last year, and other plants, and I will be receiving a bonus plant, not to mention that the prices of the plants are less than elsewhere.

My advice would be to get on line, look for what you want, and look for the best price and the company's guarantee, etc., a lot of fun shopping, and more fun to receive and enjoy.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

Jackielee — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 18:56:18 GMT

I would definately buy locally! They know what is best for your garden. I haven't had much luck with my plant purchases from QVC. Like someone else said, some didn't grow at all or I would get tiny growth then it would die.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

Kachina624 — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 21:27:27 GMT

Everything I've ordered from Roberta's has died. I've had better luck with CF but their plants are very tiny. I would also recommend buying locally...you'll get better quality plants acclimated to your area. I've bought wonderful daylilies from eBay and Smokey's daylily Farm.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

redngold — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 21:47:19 GMT

I'm done buying anything from Cottage Farms and Roberta's. Everything I've gotten has either never bloomed, died right off the bat or bloomed very little then looked dead. I've tried many different things, the patio tree, the butterfly bush and others. I'll stick to buying from my local nursery.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

momshan — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 21:50:54 GMT

I, too, have bought from Roberta's and they have all died. I will only buy local now.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

paShar — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 21:51:18 GMT

On 3/10/2015 Jackielee said:
I would definately buy locally! They know what is best for your garden. I haven't had much luck with my plant purchases from QVC. Like someone else said, some didn't grow at all or I would get tiny growth then it would die.

I agree. A local grower will know what grows best in your area. You might also ask if they would be willing to come to your home and see the area you want to plant and give you suggestions for things that will grow well in that spot. They may charge you to do that but, in the long run, it's worth it.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

Kayla76 — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 23:01:25 GMT

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I will, of course, buy everything that I can from the one local nursery (within a 1 - 1/2 hr drive - except for a poor excuse for a Lowes.) Did I mention that I live in a very rural area?! She has been in business for over 50 years and has been my go to for plants. I've discussed the plants that I'm considering and she has suggested many of them even though she doesn't carry them. She doesn't try to sell everything out there, but she knows about plants and is extremely helpful.

Mousiegirl - thank you for your suggestions about other companies. I will look into them. I've already checked out any companies that I've heard about like Park Seed, Burpee's, Gurney's, Springhill, Henry Fields and some more I can't remember right now.

The QVC plants that I'm considering are all a better deal as to size of plant, price, availability, etc. Many of QVC's are supposedly perennial while others are just annuals. A few I haven't even found elsewhere, just seeds.

Like I said, I just wondered about these two companies' true reputations. The hosts on QVC get so excited selling that they can be more of a nuisance. And the rep's have a lot of knowledge, but . . . . they are trying to convince you to give them your money right?!

Thanks again. I believe I will cut my list back, but still try a few. I'll post later to let you know my actual experience.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

MaggieToo — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 23:09:22 GMT

I have two types of Roberta's indoor plants that are doing very well. I didn't have much luck with Cottage Farms plants.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

DoneTryin — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 23:23:14 GMT

Buy locally. I've tried several Roberta's products with disappointing results, & I followed their instructions to the letter. I didn't even bother trying to contact them about replacements or refunds. But, then, I didn't spend a lot either. It sounds like you'll be making a substantial investment in plants.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

marsha95 — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 00:28:11 GMT

I have bought from both Cottage Farms and Roberta's. I have never received a plant from either one of them that looked like it does on TV. I have only had 1-2 plants that have actually grown. The bad thing is that every year, for the last 3-4 years, I have ordered more plants. Need my head examined. Buy locally.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

chlema — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 00:40:14 GMT

My sedum came yesterday from Cottage Farms. Was a bit apprehensive on opening the box but very happy to see they were all alive and well. Everything I have ordered from them have thrived. The sun patients last year were a huge success, huge and beautiful. The few things I have ordered from Roberta's in the past have not succeeded. I do buy locally also.

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

fthunt — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 00:41:06 GMT

I totally agree with previous postings - buy a couple from either CF or R... but don't spend the bank roll on either.

Last year - and I have already ordered for this Spring delivery from PROVEN WINNERS - what beautiful petunias - big colorful no deadheading - OMG. My local landscape biz, which is first class, carries Proven Winners but not a big selection. 2013 I purchased Supertuina Visa Bubblegum (sounds good enough to eat) a lovely pink for hanging pots mixed with other PW filler plants (deep maroon/white) I was so impressed with the quality & they lasted until frost. I did use a fish/seaweed based liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks (Neptune) but they were absolutely beautiful and you'll receive big healthy plants.

Now not all plants are available online - left hand side of screen will show a price/size IF it's available for mail order.

Enjoy your garden!

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

fthunt — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 00:44:57 GMT

Just read a couple of other comments - From CF I've received tiny dried out sticks instead of full green plants. Average 1 out of 3 plants have lived...............for awhile ( month perhaps).

To be honest: buyer beware!

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

LooPY — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 02:25:18 GMT

I began ordering from Cottage Farms years ago and later Roberta's, because our local nurseries don't offer any guarantee whatsoever. If you buy it and the plant dies, you're sorry and out of luck! I have three very full and lush gardens on our property, and the majority of the flowering trees, flowering bushes, and an array of flowers are from Cottage Farms and many from Roberta's. People stop in front of my house to admire that garden all the time.

One tip I would give is to be patient. Contrary to what the companies would have you believe, the plants will not look like the pictures or on TV, the first season. It will take two or three years, but the payoff is that once established, they are there for the duration. Not every plant has been a winner, but you have the assurance of knowing that during that first year either company will replace any dead or deficient plants. One caveat--sometimes the replacement may not be the same color as the original, so if you're fussy about color schemes like I am, be sure and specify your wishes to CS.

I buy from these two companies because they offer items I don't find anywhere else, and I'm willing to take a chance, not a risk because of the guarantee. And where else could I ever find perennial snapdragons, my latest passion?!

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

HangingTen — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 03:05:37 GMT

I purchased CF for several years but had no luck whatsoever. Last year I tried Roberta's and I was much happier. The plants received were ready to grow. Still not 100% satisfied but not everything I get from QVC is like it appears on air!

Re: Cottage Farm & Roberta experience?

Cookie06 — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 03:54:10 GMT

Just read the reviews, after doing so, I decided that I would buy locally. Be sure and ask your local retailer if they can order certain plants for you. I have found that they have been more than happy to do so. Of course that was a local nursery/hardware store and they try and please their customers. I know, I know, didn't know such a place exists anymore!!!

Love my locally owned hardware/nursery.

I just went back and took a look at the reviews for several of Roberta's plants. I can't believe anyone buys and of their items with the horrible 1 and 2 star reviews. It is too bad and I wish their plants were better, but how can they make any money if they honor their guarantees?????