Q Talk

[txskies]

Love to work in my flower garden, and normally buy plants from my local nursery. I would like to know if anyone has ordered plants from Cottage Farms on QVC, and if it is worth the effort? It seems to me that plants could suffer during shipping - has anyone purchased these plants, and had success? What is so different about them that my local nursery would not have them?

[bells4me]

I have learned from years past to only buy local. We have wonderful nurseries that sell what grows here and will survive the snow & cold temperatures.

[Rochester Shopper]

I only will buy Cottage Farm and Roberta's plants that are unique and that my local nurseries don't carry. I have had good luck receiving healthy plants. I did get a few that I didn't realize my local nursery carried, and the ones at my nursery were much bigger for less money, considering the shipping charges.

[wagirl]

I tried a few CF plants and they all died either in transit or after a few weeks in the ground. A waste of time and effort but I did get my money back. I stick with my local nursery. They offer the same guarantees and I'm supporting my local businesses.

[Kachina624]

I'll say one thing, the plants CF ships are the smallest they can possibly be and still be called "plants". They're too tiny and helpless to be put directly in the ground. I've had to raise them in a pot until they're large enough to transplant. I've vowed not to buy more. I have gotten nice plants by mail order from other sources.

[blackhole99]

I never had any luck with the plants from QVC and I am an avid gardner, maybe if you live in the warmer states you would have more success.

[Nadjalu]

I bought items from both cottage farms and Roberta's last year. Was my first time. I had more success with the cottage farm plants. Flutter by bushes and tree. Also daylillies. My Roberta lemon tree is still doing well but my calla liliesand ground cover ddidn't do so well. This year I plan to order from cottage farms again. They are replacing my day Lilly that didn't make it and one of my butterfly bushes.

[Kachina624]

I've purchased my daylilies from eBay sellers, many of whom are hobbyists who thin out their plants. You don't have to participate in auctions. These plants are awesome, easily twice the size of CF plants plus the variety is endless. You can choose your colors, for instance I have a garden that is all pinks and all from eBay sellers.

[stevieb]

Other than perhaps varieties not easily available, I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't buy plants locally.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

They CF flowers always look so pretty, but remember they are showing very mature plants. What you receive are quite puny. I've learned my lesson to shop locally, too, after purchasing some CF plants from QVC. The majority of them arrived either already dead or on the brink. The couple that I was able to plant didn't take.