There are two particular species that have particularly intrigued me, and one doesn't produce viable seed--and I haven't read any data on the seeding capacity of the other--but both are available only as mature plants. There are many vendors overseas and in the US that carry these plants, but to save the expense and occasional hassle of producing a phytosanitary document, it's preferable to purchase anything other than seeds on 'home ground', so to speak---SO, I'm pleased to share--with anyone interested---that I found TWO Canadian sources for, respectively: VIOLA ETAIN (sterile seed producing hybrid) and PARMA VIOLETS (multi-petaled and intensely fragrant), from Spring Garden Canada [http://www.springgardencanada.com/]; and Fraser's Thimble Farms [http://www.thimblefarms.com/2007cataloguefinalembeddedpdf.pdf]
(I apologize for not yet figuring out how to insert a hyperlink!)
FYI: to any Canadian Viola and Violet lover...
ADDENDUM to the previous post re Violas + Violets:
Apparently, Fraser's Thimble Farms is dropping the Parma Violets from their offerings since they (the violets) have reverted to the 'standard' violet configuration!
Darn!
spring garden has a pretty bad rating in Garden Watchdog.
I'm aware that 'Spring Garden' got a lousy rating, but I learned that after I'd placed my order. In their favour, however, is the fact that they're the only Canadian plant vendor---online or otherwise, that I'm aware of---that carry 'Viola Etain'; there are some pix of this plant on the DG site---if you're not familiar with the flower, you should check it out---it's particularly beautiful; I first saw the it on the Annie's Annuals website, and I was hooked--and determined to acquire some---but the fact that the things can't be reproduced by seed [they're sterile], leaves the single option of purchasing a mature plant--or knowing someone who has the plant [which I don't]---which amounts, in this case, to ordering fullgrown plants outside of one's domestic borders, which can be way-pricey [have you ever needed to purchase a phytosanitary document?]. There are several nurseries in the US [let alone overseas] that carry this plant, but crossing the border between the US and Canada with anything demonstrably 'alive'--i[ncluding one's self!]---can be an epic pain-in-the-'a--',especially after '9/11'! That's why I prefer seeds, which I've ordered from the UK, France, Germany, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand---with little, if any, aggravation!
I ordered 'Viola Etain' from Spring Garden Canada last year, along with a couple of other items. Everything arrived alive and healthy but definitely not at its peak and somewhat late. The Violas particularly were very leggy and had obviously already bloomed at least once. They did, however, survive and thrive once planted and bloomed for the rest of the season. They also survived the winter and are just starting to set buds again now.
My feeling is that I consider I got lucky this time, and probably won't order from them again.
Just my 2 cents FWIW.
--Ginny
ginnylynn-
I received my 'Etains' in good time and they were in decent shape---a bit light-deprived--but the stems and leaves were perky and overall the prognosis for the plants is optimistic! Attempted delivery on SUNDAY is another point in Spring Gardens' favour [I was home but my buzzer is wonky and I missed them!].
My question to you would be 'why do you think you just 'got lucky' ' with these guys? They've received some serious criticism, which perhaps worked in their [and future customers'] favour, insofar as they may well have learned a lesson and are determined to improve.
Do you have a record of bad experiences with them? This is my first purchase--so I'm fairly neutral and open-minded right now! I HAVE been burned by 'Rich Farm Gardens'----they are bigtime CROOKS!
No - no previous experience with them, good or bad. This first order was made with full expectations, based on their reviews, that I could end up with a disappointing experience. When I ordered the violas, I also ordered 3 grasses and 3 Mayapples. The grasses were fine - a little small but I expected that for the price I was paying. The Mayapples were obviously stressed, and only 2 came back this year.
I guess I feel lucky just because of the state of health of the violas and mayapples when I received them. I would never send plants out in that condition and I don't expect anyone else to do it either. Based on this and their mostly negative reviews I simply choose not to push my luck with them again. I would rather pay more and be assured of a healthy, good sized plant.
I judge all companies I order from by the same yard stick. I have neither the time nor the energy or desire to deal with the complaint process - you simply never get my business again.
Just my own opinion.
--Ginny
Ginny-
I 'hear ya'---and I can't fault you for your position, nor your way of doing things--AND--I'm always interested in hearing a full range of 'opinions' on everything. Actually, I'd welcome a truckload of opinions and advice regarding Fraser's Thimble Farms, which I recently ordered from and contributed some remarks about in the 'Garden Watchdog' files. If you'll read my comments, you'll see my predicament. I've only ordered from them once, and I'm disturbed by the condition of the plants---they were almost 'mangled' looking---and this seems very inconsistent with what appears to be a 'higher' echelon company. I believe the company is run by a husband/wife team [alternately, siblings?!]; anyway, I've spoken [luck of the draw?] only to the female half, and I find her to be 'chilly' [with perhaps a faint undertow of 'disdain?]. Perhaps it's my imagination or I'm just overly sensitive--or maybe she doesn't dig my telephonic 'vibes'!!! I will telephone the company, regardless. What would you do? BTW, the plants are 'alive', but they look like hell--and I'm in the same Province as Fraser's Thimble Farms!
Hi blue_cherry. I read your review of the company and continued on down the list to read the other reviews as well.
The first thing that caught my eye was the rating score. 67% is not very good in my opinion. Although I am normally a "glass half full" kind of person, this I tend to interpret as this company reflects poor stock quality and customer service at least 1/3 of the time. I find that too high for my personal taste.
I don't think you're being overly sensitive. Other reviewers also found this woman to be cold and, I believe, arrogant. As to what I would do, it depends on the cost of the plants. If they were fairly low cost I would just write them off if they die and this company would never hear from me again. There is always the chance that they might come back in a more healthy state next year. If, however, the plants cost more than I care to simply write off I would make sure I take pictures of them immediately and email them along with my complaint to the company. I would follow this up with a telephone call to let them know the pictures are attached to the email, state my case, and ask for a refund or replacement or whatever you are looking for in this case. Once again, this company would have permanently lost my business.
Of course this is all what I personally would do - it may not suit you at all :-) Please keep me posted on how this turns out for you.
--Ginny
Ginny-
Thanks for the input. The plants I ordered weren't 'dirt'- [no pun!]cheap, and I'd prefer to have a replacement for the truly mangled-looking one, but I'm hoping it will survive and honestly, I'd rather not initiate telephone contact with the lady in question; however, I did dispatch a detailed, articulate and polite email which particularly addressed the injured plant.
In closing the email I wrote: "I would ask that you address this situation as you would wish it addressed if you were in my shoes."
So, we'll see. In any event, I at least feel better at having expressed my disappointment to them. They portray themselves as being a 'high-falutin' operation who--among other things--specialize in premium, hybrid Hepaticas--many of which sell for a few hundred bucks a plant. I know diddley about Hepaticas, but it seems logical to me, that if a company specializes in expensively and exquisitely bred lifeforms, they should be able to handle 'any' living thing with delicacy.
Don't you agree?
--April
I most certainly do agree April. Good luck - I hope you receive an acceptable response to your email.
--Ginny
Hi Ginny-
Amazingly, I received a reply from the thimble farm people the NEXT day. It was the husband who replied; I wonder if he's the 'good cop', so to speak? It was one plant in particular that was badly mangled; he agreed--in his email reply--that it probably wasn't packed properly for such a fragile plant, and he said he'd send me a replacement plant 'gratis'. I emailed back saying that the rapid response, along with the offer to replace the plant gratis, put the company in a better light altogether and that I'd submit some positive input to the Dave's Garden Watchdog files; I'd also mentioned that I'd previously input a 'neutral' comment which contained an assessment of the company's pros and cons--implying that the 'cons' somewhat negated the 'pros'. So time will tell. I prefer to believe that companies (or individuals) with extreme downsides can improve--change for the better. If I'm wrong--such is life!
April
Hi April,
I'm so glad you've had a positive response from them, and I agree - companies with extreme downsides can improve, but just like with individuals, there has to be an acknowledgement of the problem and a true desire to fix it first. Here's hoping the thimble farm is on their way :-)
--Ginny