Comments regarding Direct Gardening

Ref order #'s 31944927 31938140 6-24 and 7-5
A person shouldn't have to go through a complaint web site to get action from a company. I was just given the name, Grace Avery to send the label and explanation to. After reading all this, I pray to get a response, and not after it freezes! $265.00 would be a lot to be out.
I got replacements for the original order yesterday, and they were also rotting. Now the first freeze will be here too soon. Tempted to drive to Illinois and take them to small claims court:((
TR

I originally ordered a 'bunch' of plants from this company. Among them were cushion mums, weigelas, creeping phlox and a tree peony. The plants were ridiculously small, primarily pieces of roots in some cases, and had virtually no chance for survival. I'm currently awaiting a second round of replacements for the mums, weigelas and tree peony. Not all of the phlox seem to have made it, but they're pretty hardy so I'm holding out some hope for regrowth after the winter months. Even though the company didn't give me any problem with the initial replacements, the plants are of such poor quality that I can't imagine ever getting them to grow. 20 mums and NONE made it? 3 weigelas and only 1 is hanging on by a wing and a prayer? Tree peonies that are no more than a decorative stick in my garden? I'm not holding out much hope.... Of course, no refunds are possible due to the timeframe (who can tell in 30 days if something is going to grow or not?!), but I wonder how many times is too many to request replacements.

I ordered over $200 worth of flowers from them. Took forever to get. They looked dead when I received them - 4 different shipments received for 2 orders. Called the company to cancel the remaining order I had with them. Said I needed to write them to cancel it, but the order would be shipped prior to them receiving the written notification. The lady I talked to said I needed to give the plants at least 1 year, ample time to start growing before I could get a refund. Less than 6 months and I have a dead flower garden. I have no idea the number of plants I actually ordered, but I have less than 20 that actually grew. I've just started contacting them for a refund, but I'm sure they'll send other plants instead of giving my money back. Won't be any further ahead as I'm pretty sure these will also NOT grow. I wished I'd found this site prior to ordering from them!!!

"

This customer placed 2 orders with our company. The first order was placed in 1/06. We do not begin shipping plants to this customer's climatic zone in Kansas until mid-March due to the weather. The two packages from this order shipped 3/29 & 4/12. This would be ideal planting time for her area. The 2nd order was placed on 3/13 and shipped on 3/22/06.

We have a one year replacement guarantee. For replacements or a merchandise credit, the customer simply needs to return the original shipping labels from the package and let us know how many of which item is dead. Our refund guarantee requires that the plants and the original shipping label be returned within 14 days of receipt.

A merchandise credit was mailed to this customer on 9/4/06 for the items that were dead. The customer used this replacement credit on 10/2 and replacement plants were shipped the following week."

I recently moved from Washington to Minnesota and had to start a new garden. I have purchased online for many years, but never have I had an experience with a grower like this. I ordered $90 worth of plants and got all twigs and roots. I ordered ground cover and got pieces so tiny they could hardly be handled, the bulbs were tiny, the hollyhocks came in 1 inch containers and the mums were just roots. Of all that I ordered I have 4 surviving plants out of 40.They do say they have a gaurentee and I have yet to exercise it but I will. I dont think it will matter though as what they sent they may send again in which case it will be pointless.

"

A dmail was sent to the customer on 8/30/06, but we have not yet had a response. Many of our perennials and trees are sent bare root and dormant. They should come out of dormancy and show signs of life within 6 weeks of planting. We hope the customer utilizes her guarantee on anything that does not survive."

On May 1, 2006 I spent 54.00 on some Olive trees and shurbs , I was told my order would come within 2 to 3 weeks , After a month i contacted DG threw email and was told my order was being processed and i would recieve it in about 2 weeks , it was 4 days later and my order comes in a paper bag lined in plastic alot of them looked like they would'nt make it and they were so small and really unhealthy looking plants, but i gambled on them anyways because i did'nt want the hassel of sending them back and planted them . Out of 14 plants only 5 made it and its not because i did'nt do my part i have quit a green thumb . I can say that i will not order from them again . Frone O. From Webb city , Mo

"

A dmail was sent to this customer after their posting was made explaining our guarantee and offering replacements or a merchandise credit, but we have not yet had a response."

DO NOT EVER ORDER FROM THIS COMPANY!
order number 31817284

I really wish I had found this web site before I ordered from Direct Gardening.

Here is what happened to me...BE WARNED.

3/31- Order placed via web. Direct Gardening had no problem taking my money via web.... 178 dollars!

- My printed receipt states to allow 1-2 weeks to process order

4/20- I called to check the status and was advised it did not ship yet. I tried to cancel but was advised orders can only be canceled via letter ( no phone or internet allowed ) This policy is Scam. How can you allow people to place orders over the web and phone but not cancel. It seems it is so they can ship your order and claim they never received the letter. From this point forward I knew this was going to be a problem.

4/21- I sent a letter to cancel this order. $.39

5/4- What do you know, I received this order via DHL. My bag of 178 dollar trees and plants were a bunch of dead sticks with tiny roots hanging off them.

5/5- I returned the order WITH a note on the outside and inside requesting a refund. ( as per DG policy )I had to now pay $8.51 for DHL to send back to them.

5/8- 3 days later this package was Received by Direct gardening and signed for by J Fisher. I assume this package has arrived at its location as the address is correct. I wanted to follow up anyway since at this point I know this entire thing is a scam.

5/7- Sent email advised Direct gardening that order was returned. ( No response )

5/7- Called Direct Gardening and they advised I had to wait 3 weeks before the return was updated in the system as received for refund. I tried to insist I talk to someone who could confirm this package had arrived but was told after calling 6 times that I had to wait the 3 weeks. ( now I know why )

5/25- I called again to track and was advised to send a certified letter to GRACE AVERY ( Have copy of letter and delivery slip )

6/1- letter received by Grace Avery $2.79

NO RESPONSES FROM DIRECT GARDENING AT ALL FROM EMAILS LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS.

6/19- Still not refunded on credit card statement.

- Called SEVERAL times and sent SEVERAL emails. Every time I call they advise that there is nothing they can do until they receive the package back. ( spoke to a supervisor named Judy SEVERAL TIMES ) The customer service team should just be called operators. They are not able to help you with anything except taking money for orders. I waited 45 minutes on hold to speak to a supervisor because the other policy is " We don't call customers back " when I asked if I could leave a message for a supervisor to call me back.

6/21- Email from Direct gardening OVER a month after the package was returned to tell me they did not receive. Now this has made it impossible to figure out what happened since it was delivered on May 8th. As per DHL, it was dropped off and signed for by the DHL driver J.Fisher ( I would guess that they have a waiver to deliver packages without a signature but I do not know )

I still have not been refunded for the $178.19 order returned AND have spent $11.69 in addition to try and get my money back. At this point, I have called my chase credit card and asked them to dispute the charge since DHL has advised this package was delivered to DG. I have since filed a claim with BBB and would urge all of you do do the same so this does not happen to anyone else.

I have tried everything to resolve this with DG. Direct Gardening is still holding on to the claim they have not received this package and still cannot refund me. I have wasted so much time and money dealing with this horrible company. I hope this warns others to stay away!

"

The customer wanted to cancel the order, but it had already shipped and was not able to be caught and canceled. For a refund, our guarantee states that the plants and the shipping label need to be returned. Apparantly the carrier she used to mail her package back has lost it. We repeatedly told the customer that we had not received the package. In addition, we informed her that we have no employee by the name of "J.Fisher," but that we had learned he is an employee of the carrier she used. We have suggested many times that she do follow-up tracing through her carrier so that she could file a claim through them. "

Hey folks I have to say I am batting a 50/50 here. I ordered ground cover -mazus from DG early summer and it came through quickly and is in the ground and doing nicely. So thinking I was on a roll I ordered more, trees, flowers, etc. I got a confirmation email saying things were shipped. My first order arrived promptly so when this one didn't arrive I contacted customer service just to check on things as we have had a zip code chg (7/2006) and this is causing delivery problems in our area. When I called in I got a rep who told me that they never sent a confirmation email on that date. I said I am looking at the email and this is the date. The rep said I was in error. Really? He said the order was received a week later and that they were still processing it. Now why in the world would I make up a processing date, call in and recite an untruth. That made me mad. So I replied to customer service on the emai, I stated as shown on this email this order was processed and supposedly shipped. I am leery about this order, I don't want to fight the company for an extended time just to get my plants. But whatever happens I have decided I am through with DG and all it's affliates as the disappointments outweigh the bargains. I had ordered plants from: 4 seasons nurseries, gurneys, michigan bulb company and now DG for this growing season. They give you the coupons which are enticing but based on my ordering and planting experience it is a 50/50 whether the plants will grow. Packaging is a problem with these places and I have had crushed plants, dry plants, and substitutions that were not what I wanted. I still have plants planted early summer that aren't out of their "dormant" phase, which is crazy. Having to call a toll number to be told you are lying is insane.

"

As previously explained to the customer, her order was placed 8/3 (Thursday). It entered processing on 8/7/06 (Monday) and shipped in 2 packages on 8/16 & 8/24. The following is an excerpt from the dmail was sent to her on 8/30/06 in response to her 8/29/06 posting in which she describes problems with mold on her trees and bushes and expresses concern that her plants are dead:
"I am sorry to hear that some of your items did not arrive in good condition. We would encourage you to plant the items and give them a chance. Obviously any bulbs that are slimy or mushy are not salvageable, but sometimes plants will develop a grey fungus mold during shipment because of warm weather. Usually this can just be washed off and the plants safely planted. Let me know what you think. If the items don't come out of dormancy and show signs of life after 6 weeks of planting, just return the original shipping label as per our guarantee for a free replacement.
Of course, you could also choose to get a refund. For a refund, just return the items you do not want and the original shipping label within 14 days of receipt."

At this time, the customer has chosen not to take advantage of our guarantee and receive replacements or a refund, as described above.
"

BE warned DO NOT ORDER from DIRECT GARDENING Unless you want a bad experience.

this what happened to me.


I placed an order with DirectGardening.com in the begining of May 2006, and paid directly. I did not hear from Directgardening so I requested a status in the June, DG replied they lost the order So I resent the confirmation I had and they then sent the items. most plants were alright, (some have yet to pop out of the ground at this time.) But I had recieved the Lupines with mold all over them I contacted, and sent back everything they requested Letter of statement reason for replacement, original packageing and packing label DG requested and within the time frame they set. And didn't hear back from them. Although I do have confirmation that they got the items back from the USPS registered /return reciept I attached to the package.. So I inquired the status and that I had sent everything they request and got a response from DG, they asked if I sent all the requested items (which mean they didn't read my email fully) and basically they told to be patient.... So after 2 months and following all DG guidelines and jumping through all their hoops I replied back I want my money back. I didn't appreciate their disrespectful attitude when All I asked was the status of the replacement (We're dealing with a planting time frame afterall) I explained in detail with dates and requested my money back. DG responded that they sent replacements items. 2 weeks later I get the Most foul smelling stench in green plastic (the smell was like rotten potatos and onions combined) I was actually surprised the Post office allowed it through. This time (AND only Time) I called their customer number (not toll free) to request my money back. I was told now that so much time had passed that All I could get was replacements. I couldn't believe it I explained that this was a replacement order. And I don't think it was fair I would have to send it all back again with all the procedures of original packing order letter etc. when I had done so before. their responces was it's only .39 cents! it was policy.I reapeated asked for a manager denied, she (Grace Abery)doesn't take the phone.. only responds through the mail. again said I want to talk to someone in charge, and apparently there was NO ONE in charge of their customer service team. ( I find that hard to believe having worked in Customer Service for years.)

I am glad I found your site to warn Other gardeners. I will always look on your site to be warned of companies that value 6 lousy dollars more then keeping a happy customer. All this was escalated by their Poor and somewhat Hostile Customer service in the first place.( Which I, at the very end resorted to the same, and gave back in kind .)

And if direct gardening wants my order number its.#31903893

"

Our guarantee is as follows:
If any item you purchased from us does not live, for a FREE REPLACEMENT just RETURN THE ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL along with your written request within 1 year of receipt. If you are dissatisfied with any merchandise, return it together with the ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL within 1 year of receipt for a FREE REPLACEMENT. Replacement guarantee is VOID unless the ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL is returned. For a REFUND of the purchase price, RETURN THE ITEM AND THE ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL, with the correct postage affixed, within 14 days of receipt.

We will be happy to replace the customer's 6 Russell Lupines ($5.96) again or give a credit voucher for the same when she returns the original shipping label as explained to her by the phone representative
"

In August of 2005 I placed two orders over $200 with this company and have received a year full of headaches.
I plants I received were dead sticks, there is no way they were alive when they shipped. I went ahead and planted them but nothing grew.

One of the items I ordered was a blue rose. They didn't have a blue rose in stock so they sent a red rose. I told them I do not want a red rose and I would like the blue rose I ordered. I was told, not to kindly, that they are allowed to substitute any plant they wish. This begs the question why would I bother taking the time to order the plant I wanted if they were going to send me a substitue, not even the same color I desired mind you?

In March of 2006 I wrote the company a note and sent original shipping labels asking for replacement plants for both orders.

On May 31,2006 I received the replacement plants for order 1. These were of better quality than the first, only 90% dead.
I nursed a couple to life but several have since died. I have 1 survivor.

It is now July 25, 2006 and I am still waiting for the replacement plants for order 2. I have repeatedly emailed the company as to the status of replacement plants and they just keep stringing me along with various excuses.

The first excuse was they did not have original shipping labels. I sent all shipping labels for order 1 and order 2 in the same envelope. They finally admitted they have the shipping labels.
The second excuse was that they already shipped replacement plants for order 2. It took them over a month to provide a tracking number. When they finally did provide a tracking number it was for the replacement plants for order 1.

They finally admitted they never set up a replacement order for my order 2. I was told I would have to send them a letter requesting replacement plants for order 2. For several weeks I have been emailing them stating I already sent them such a letter in March of 2006. It doesn't seem to matter.
I do not know why they are acting as if they do not have the March 2006 request letter on file. Just stringing me along.
They simply ignore the fact that I have done everything they asked, sent request letter, returned shipping lables, etc and they refuse to send the replacement plants.

At my wits end, I finally broke down and sent another request letter. I do not expect to ever see replacement plants.
Perhaps several more months of excuses.
I requested replacement plants in March of 2006 it is now July 25, 2006 and no replacement plants.

Four months is simply to long to wait for replacement plants, I have missed an entire growing season.

Don't waste your valuable time with this company.

"

A dmail was sent to this customer offering to check on her account and the status of the replacements. To date, we have not had a reply. In addition, at no time were we subbing a red rose for a blue one. "

I ordered some houseplants and wisteria full knowing that I would receive little more than rooted cuttings.
Most of the houseplants arrived crunchy and dry. I blame the Phoenix heat. After returning the shipping label, I was promptly sent replacements that arrived in better shape (except 1). I have not contacted them for a replacement yet.
I am happy with what I received, knowing what to expect.

Some of the wisteria didn't make it and they were replaced as well, without incident.

I am very happy with the service and plants I have received, but I would caution anyone thinking about placing an order:
If you want more than a rooted cutting, you will be disappointed. (What would you really expect for such low prices?)

I placed an order on April 10,2006 after waiting weeks I started calling to check the status of my order. They would not give me any information till Mid June when I was told my order was shipped on May 10th by I asked for a conf. # and was told they cound not give me that information. After 6 more calls and speaking to a supervisor each time I was told the same thing they would not even file a missing report till June 10th they would not cancell the order. I live about 31/2 hours away from their greenhouse in Bloomington, IL I was told my plants were shipped from IL to MN where they would be packaged and shipped to me. When I heard that I called my credit card company and had the charges removed. 3 days later a green bag with broken twigs and dried roots was hanging on my mail box. I returned it to the post office marked REFUSED. I will never ever order from them again.

"

We are sorry to hear of IOHERA's problems with their order. Without more specific information, we cannot address their concerns. It sounds as though they called us after their package had just recently shipped, but were not willing to wait a reasonable amount of time for receipt and in fact received the package 3 days later. In addition, we would like to mention that all of our plants are shipped from IL.



"

I wish I had discovered this board, and the feedback here, earlier.

But I didn't. I ordered a flowering vine, and got a healthy plant - unfortunatly, it is poison ivy, and not exactly what I ordered. Another order made before receipt of the "ivy" produced another healty plant - alas, this time it was a weed rather than the ordered plant.

By the time orders began arriving and my folly became apparent, my final order arrived - two small, dead plants! The company will not replace them without my having to pay shipping and have the original shipping label, and their emails have not been courteous.

Buyer, beware!

"

A dmail was sent to this customer on 7/7, but we have not yet had a response. We certainly do not knowingly send out poison ivy or weeds, nor have we had any other complaint of this nature this spring.

Our guarantee requires only that the original shipping label be returned, not the plants, for replacements. We also request that a note be included letting us know how many of which item is dead. "

All but two of the trees I ordered from this company have died.The trees looked dead when I got them . I didn't try to send them back and never bothered asking for a refund but I will never order from this company again because of the condition of the plants when I recieved them.

"

A dmail was sent to this customer on 7/7/06 offering replacements. We have not received a reply. "

I also wished I had seen this before I purchased two gardens. All the bulbs were rotten when receive, the shasta dasiys were in sad shape and died within a few days. I believe I might have three sedums that are trying very hard to survive (not much more than a tiny piece of a branch when they arrived). My credit card was charges almost six weeks before my order arrived. I had chalked this up to another mail order gone bad (second experience). Not sure I would ever buy mail order again. My gardens have never been so ulgy.

"

A dmail was sent to this customer on 6/28/06 offering replacements or a merchandise credit. We have not a response to this dmail."

It seems my experience is somewhat different from most on this site. My wife and I ordered approximately $300 worth of plants from directgardinging.com prior to finding this site to begin filling the flower beds at our new home. I'm sure no one will argue that the prices are second to none, and for what we purchased would have easily cost us more than triple any where else.
We received our full order (4 separate shipments) in about 3 weeks, both in the green bags for bare root products and cardboard boxes for the others. Within two weeks, nearly everything is green and growing well, especially the rose or sharon hedges and astilbe. The only things that arrived looking bad were two mosquito shoo geraniums, which we planted anyway in some better quality potting soil, and they have revived and look great now in under a month.
For the price, I would say they are worth the try and we have definitely gotten our money's worth.
Thus far, our strongest growers (in about one month) are the astilbe, purple d'oro & chicago royal robe daylilies, hybrid lilies, rose of sharon hedge, dwarf burning bushs, houttuynia, patriot hosta, and dwarf citrus trees. The others are a bit slower, but still look healthy (especially for the price!)

All this company will do is send you dried up twigs & moldy rotten dry root & bulbs.
They do offer a 1 year guarantee, you are guaranteed to get the same rotten plants for replacement of which will not be covered under any guarantee, so that’s it they have your money & you have something for your compost pile.
Even if you only spent $20.00 on this company, and don’t think it is any big deal.
Stand you for yourself & others report this company to the following.
Make them accountable.
These companies have 488 complaints with BBB in the last 36 months alone
They are cheap, but it is no bargain if nothing is living or lives.
Do yourself a favor, shop elsewhere.


A list of their company names & complaints on Watchdog.

DIRECT GARDENING - (138 Complaints)
ROYAL DUTCH - (26 Complaints)
BURGESS SEED AND PLANT COMPANY - (134 Complaints)
RICHARD OWEN NURSERY - (91 Complaints)
FOUR SEASONS NURSERY - (141 Complaints)
HOUSE OF WESELY - (77 Complaints)
INTER-STATE NURSERY - (46 Complaints)
KELLY NURSERIES - (46 Complaints)
FARMER SEED AND NURSERY - (44 Complaints)
HONEYCREEK NURSERY - (3 Complaints)

Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois
112 Harrison, Peoria, Illinois, 61602

Illinois Attorney General
Lisa Madigan
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-3000

Consumer Protection Division of Central Illinois
1776 E. Washington St.
Urbana, IL 61802
(217) 278-3366


State of Illinois Department of Agriculture
c/o Director Charles A. Hartke
P.O. Box 19281, State Fairgrounds
Springfield, Il 62794-9281
(217)782-2172



Even thier bulbs are bad, how do you screw up bulbs?

"

We have a one year replacement guarantee on all of our product. This customer placed an order in 9/20/04 which shipped 9/23/04. In July 2005, she requested replacements which were shipped. In April 2006, she requested replacements again, but since her warranty had expired in September 2005, we were unable to honor her request. "

I ordered a bunch of plants from Direct Gardening a few months ago and wished that I had seen this site first! I wanted to share my experience so that hopefully others will not have to go through it. Not everything was terrible, in my order I received my 6 festucia in excellent condition, they are doing very well! I also received 2 climbing shell plant that are growing like crazy! I will also say that they promptly acted when I notified them of 2 missing roses.

The problem arises from the condition of the other plants I ordered. I ordered 12 creeping red sedum and got a small baggy full of dead sticks of which only 4 grew. I also got a rose plant that was DOA and didn't look like it could have been alive at the time of shipping! I also got a tree peoni that looked beatutiful in the picture, but arrived as a nearly dead stick about 2 inches long in a jewelers envelope. I must admit that I have not contacted the company to get these replaced because I do not see the use in replanting more dead stuff. I just chalk it up to a lesson learned.

"

A dmail was sent to this customer on 6/22/06 offering replacements or a merchandise credit on the merchandise that did not live."

I ordered several things from this company because of the low prices and "free gift" of some ranunculus bulbs: a 51-piece bulb garden, shasta daisies, and carnations. The plants arrived in terrible shape. The carnations finally grew with a lot of TLC, but almost all of the bulbs came moldy or rotting, and the shasta daisies died immediately. I only asked for replacements of the shasta daisies, stargazer lily (part of the big bulb garden), and ranunculus (since they were part of the reason I ordered from Direct Gardening). I waited a month and then had to send 3 emails to get a status on my replacement order. When I received my replacement order, I realized that they had only sent replacements for the shasta daisies, with no explanation as to why the others were not replaced.

My order included over 60 bulbs or plants, and only about 1/10th of them have survived. The sad part is that I can't request replacements for everything else that never came up because I already sent in the original shipping label for my first replacement request, and it is required for all replacements! I wish I had seen this forum before I bought from Direct Gardening. What a headache!!

"

Since we already had the original shipping label on file because of the replacement of the shasta daisies ($2.50), the customer needed only contact us regarding any additional items from the label that needed to be replaced. The stargazer lilies and ranunculus were free gifts.

The customer told us through dmail that the bulb garden needed to be replaced ($5.99) and the replacement was sent on 7/5/06. We have contacted her through dmail again regarding this replacement after seeing her posting on 8/18, but have not yet had a response.

"

I placed an order in Jan 06 - am STILL waiting for my plants, apparently they were shipped and they are still tracing them??
The Customer Service is extremley poor, I have requested a refund but am still waiting for this. Wish I had read the feedback here b4 ordering as it would have saved me all this hassle!

Bottom Line: DO NOT ORDER ANYTHING FROM THIS COMPANY!

"

This customers order was originally shipped in 3/18. She contacted us toward the end of May and told us know that she had not received it. The package was traced and reshipped on 6/16 per her request. On June 27, we saw this posting and contacted her via dmail. She acknowledged that she had received the replacement shipment."

I ordered 70$ worth of preplanned gardens, and trees.
Shade garden was one of them. Its been 6 weeks since I planted them, and I have no traces of it in the garden.
I would not buy anything else from here again. I would rather spend a little more and order from a reputed place.

"

This customer was sent an email on 5/24 and a dmail on 6/29/06. To date, we have not had a reponse. This customer ordered several items and only complained about the one garden and the mums which we have offered to replace."

I ordered some vines from Direct Gardening. They sent the wrong ones so I returned them. I was refunded the amount for the items but not the $8.95 packaging fee. ( By the way the package was a small green plastic bag) It was their error but still they refuse. What a way to do business. I will never order from them again. They really need to take a step back and take a look at their policies and their plants. I don't think the vines would have grown- they looked pulvirized. Oh well never again.

This was my first time using this company.

On 4/21/06 I ordered

4 Symphytum
2 Astrantia Moulin Rouge
20 Anemone
1 Shell Plant
2 Trillium, mixed
6 Virginia Blue Bells

They sent as free gifts:

4 Oxalis
10 blue anemone

The anemones were bulbs that I planted in containers and so far haven't sprouted. The others that I purchased earlier from Spring Hill Nurseries as bulbs sprouted and are doing great but these seem to be duds.

The free Oxalis bulbs did sprout and I planted them outside and they are doing well.

The shell plant was very small and is still the same height - like 2 inches. I consider this a complete failure since this is an annual in my zone which is 7.

All others were shipped bare root. The Symphytum sprouted and are doing great and have even bloomed. The Viriginia Blue Bells also sprouted and appear to be doing OK. However, the Astrantia and Trillium have not sprouted and appear to be total loses.

Overall I would consider their packaging pretty bad and the Astrania was expensive.

I did get some unusual items that I hadn't been able to find elsewhere. However, that was before I found this site and the hundreds of other more reliable mail order nurseries that using the plant search I could have obtained from other sources.

I will not be ordering from them again.

I placed an order on April 27 - which is the day they charged my credit card. On May 17, I sent an email inquiring when shipment would be made - and if shipment was not imminent, to please reimburse my card until shipment was made.

I got the response that the order was in their shipping department and shouldship "at any time". 33 days after my credit card was billed, and 12 days after the above email exchange, I sent an email requesting to cancel the order and have my card reimbursed as I felt 12 days was a resonable time that I should see my shipment. They sent and email saying the order had been shipped.

I did receive the order a couple of days later, not in the greatest shape I might add. There are 4 plants that appear to be dead even after planting (impressive, since it is hard to kill a daylily!) but the rest are doing okay.

I will not ever order from them again and only wish that I had remembered to check this website before making the original order!

"

A dmail was sent to this customer on 6/15/06. We do have a one year guarantee on all of our product that we encouraged the customer to take advantage of if some of the plants did not come out of dormancy. We have not yet had a response to the dmail.

"

I ordered plants in early April.

They promptly charged my credit card.

Nothing was received by the second week of May, customer service did not respond to emails and the phone was constantly busy (tried for 2 weeks). At first I was trying to confirm the order status and ship date, but later I just wanted to cancel because it was getting to late into planting season for bareroots. I eventually disputed the charges with the credit company-- I was not going to pay for a large order without either seeing the merchandise or some acknowledgement that they were going to ship soon... I was beginning to believe I had been conned.

Most of the order was eventually received from mid to late May, poorly packed. Trees were dried out and dead. While bareroots are never pretty, I've seen enough to know what healthy bareroots look like. Most that Direct shipped were broken, tiny, crispy, many obviously hopeless. Some packets contained peat moss and no root. Day lilies and lilies were tiny and beginning to rot. Cuttings were not rooted. Plants that were marked on the "invoice" (mailing label) as packed were not actually in the box. Many were poorly marked.

Tried customer service AGAIN regarding the shorted merchandise, couldn't get through by phone. Finally received an email response that indicated that if I wanted to them to ship the plants that were shorted (and charged to my account), that I would have to request it in writing by mail and send in the original mailing label.

However, if I sent the original mailing label in to actually get the plants that they were to have shipped out in the first place, their literature made it clear that I would have no means to claim the replacement warranty on the hundreds of dollars of other plants listed on the label/invoice. Considering the proportion of the order that was obviously dead or poor quality, this certainly wasn't acceptable to trade the "replacement warranty" for merchandise that should have been sent.

I've shipped everything back because there was very little worth my time to plant even if they were received in a timely manner, and considering the lateness of the shipment (despite what their printed literature indicates) bareroots just do NOT do well if planted in early summer here-- they come up just in time to be heat stressed and rarely establish well enough to overwinter. We'll see whether they take back their box of stuff or not.

According to an unpleasant toned letter they mailed to me, they re-charged my credit card so I will have to re-dispute the charges with my credit card company. Hopefully my credit card company will be able to take care of it, because customer service at Direct Gardening certainly doesn't get it.

The worst part of it is that by the time it was apparent what a fiasco this transaction was turning out to be, it was too late to order plants I wanted from somewhere else and the good stuff was rather picked over locally.

"

This customer is confused in thinking that by sending the label back to us for a few items she would no longer be within warranty for the rest of her merchandise. When a label is returned to us, we hold onto it for the duration of the one year guarantee. If any other items listed on the label die, she would only need to contact us letting us know that we already have the original label on file and that other items listed on the label need to be adjusted.

The customer has chosen to return the merchandise to us for a refund which is also appropriate under our guarantee and will be honored."

Do not buy from Direct Gardening! Planted bareroot materials, as many of you have noticed...some of them did not grow. Although they can pull up my order information, address, name, and credit card information, they will not replace dead plants. They need the shipping label that I threw away (as a form of receipt). No allowances. Im not in the habit of complaining but they were also rude and argumentative over the phone. I have ordered from many other nurseries and never had a problem as they stand by their product. The one time I had some bulbs not bloom (from a reputable company) they were replaced and I was sent some "Im sorry" bulbs... I will never make this mistake again. Buyer beware!

"

A dmail was sent to this customer, but we have not yet had a response."

This directgardening really need to go away. Let file a lawsuit to them.

I was shocked when I received the order package of last year, May 2005. My order plants were killled by the very extremely poor package which is a green plastic bag with about 12" x 60" green plastic package inside with various plants and small trees that I have ordered.

How can you image that plants came without any moisture to wrap around the roots. It's definitive not a professional nursery. All of my plants were dead of course when arrival.

I compaint to their customer service and final get responds but they claims need the green bags with mailing label to prove of purchase...... But I trashed
those green bag already. So it take long time to get my charge card statement to send them with signature confirmation mail.

It take several email to get back reply. But I did not got any replacement so fast. June 2006.

Lesson learned that I should sent them those dead plants right away when I received the dead plants package. It waste my more than $100. ordering.

They understand that they (directgardening) had no problem on their customer service and pagage method.
So what can I do!

What is a profession that a nursery plant company shipped the plants without any moisture wrap with the roots system. Just a green bags mixed with several plants together.This is such a company work this way.
This is definitive killing plant company.

Don't trust those company with cheapping price ordering.
We really need careful!

Such a horrible experience and hell company.....

"

We do stand behind our guarantee. We received this customer's replacement request on 5/29 and shipped them in early June.
"

We have spent many 100's of dollars, this spring alone, buying trees and plants online, and have 45 years experience with gardening.

We find that DirectGardening.com is a site that should be avoided.

Some of the poorly packaged plants and trees arrived in questionable condition (dried up), with roots unprotected. We eventually replaced the failed trees and plants with local stock.

Our request for a partial refund met with delaying tactics, and a flat refusal to refund any money.

As we have had no such trouble with many other growers, we would highly recommend that Directgardening(.com), Burgess Seed & Plant Co., and House of Wesley be avoided. You will waste your valuable time and money. Perhaps worse, you will have to do your planting all over again.

It is our opinion that mail order nurseries 'must' be ready to refund cash for failed plants. In return, the customer should be ready to assist if the nursery wishes to issue a pickup order for such failed plants. Finally, the customer should be the one to decide if replacements are desired vs a refund. Mail order nurseries will themselves fail if these practices are not followed.

DirectGardening.com services the following:
House of Wesley
Burgess Seed & Plant Co.
Four Seasons Nursery
Inter-State Nurseries
Farmer Seed & Nursery
Kelly Nurseries
Richard Owen Nursery
Honeycreek Nurseries
Royal Dutch

"

Our guarantee is posted on our website. In addition, it is on the bottom of the "preview" page that customer's review before placing their orders as well as on the final order confirmation page. A recent design change will also add it to the emailed confirmation of an order. We also send a copy of our guarantee on the planting guide that is shipped in every package.

Our Guarantee:
If any item you purchased from us does not live, for a FREE REPLACEMENT just RETURN THE ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL along with your written request within 1 year of receipt. If you are dissatisfied with any merchandise, return it together with the ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL within 1 year of receipt for a FREE REPLACEMENT. Replacement guarantee is VOID unless the ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL is returned. For a REFUND of the purchase price, RETURN THE ITEM AND THE ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL, with the correct postage affixed, within 14 days of receipt.

"

Plants ordered have not grown except for one rose bush.
Emails usually aren't answered and shipping is very slow. However, as indicated in other messages, charges are done immediately.
Am still awaiting arrival of three plants which are replacements (one of them is a third replacement!)
I should have known better, but have learned my lesson. Too bad I didn't know about this site so I could have checked them out first.

"

This customer placed 3 orders with us last year. She has emailed us several times and we have responded to all of her emails. We know that she receives our responses because she replies, so we are uncertain as to why she claims that we don't answer our emails.

Of the 3 orders placed last year, she requested that one item worth $3.79 be replaced last September. In May of this year, she requested that this item be replaced again along with 2 other items. This replacement shipped 5/27/06. "

Credit card was charged in March but plants were not recieved till May25th. This is pretty late for our southern area. I had to contact them numerous times before getting an answer on shipment. Their reason for delay was that the plants were still being brought in from the fields. I have done quite a bit of mail order this year and this was the only company I was disappointed with. The plastic bag was shipped and left in mailbox as oppossed to being boxed and sent ups or fedex. Time will tell if the plants live. I won't order from them again.

I've ordered more than once from them, or from Burgess.

Yes, the plants I received were small bareroot trees packed in plastic bags: two apricots, 7 cherries, two apples. I planted them all carefully, and so far, after almost two months I have buds on all but the apples and one apricot. As far as i can tell, though, the trees are still alive, so I will give them some time before contacting the company to send out replacements.

I have not dealt with customer service, so am not able to comment. But so far, I am not displeased with the service. I don't expect to get larger, established plants for the prices they charge.

Over the years I have ordered several times. Directgardening and related companies are a mixed bag.

The GOOD:
I have 2 fast growing hybrid poplars that are now 50 feet tall which started out as 2 sticks with roots 7 years ago. 2 other trees (forget what they are!) are doing well. Rose of Sharon hedges that are 6 feet tall and a few Burning Bushes were good buys. Various Daylillies are also doing well. Basics like seeds and green onions do well. Basic seeds, trees, shrubs and items that can take a beating during shipping are probably worth the risk due to the low prices (assume that 1/2 the order will fail to grow - its usually closer to 3/4)
Bulbs are a mixed bag. I ordered 2 Holly plants last fall - while they are still alive they arent any taller. Maybe the heat of summer will get them growing.

The BAD:
Customer service is definitely a problem as is the way the items are shipped in flimsy plastic bags. On a recent order it took complaints and threats of a credit card chargeback to get action. I think they lost or misplaced my order and then rushed it out - it arrived a week later. Half the order was Burgess seed packs which should have been shipped immediately but werent; which is why I suspect they misplaced the order. They charge credit cards lightning fast but shipping is very slow. I can understand some live plant orders taking a few weeks to ship, but seeds and bulbs should fly out the door the moment the credit card is charged. Rather than require people to send back dead sticks and rotting plants at the customers expense they should just send replacements. If people abuse the replacement policy by doing it way too often then the company could refuse to sell them anything else. Its clear this company has generated alot of ill will by their guarantee that requires dead crap to be sent back.

The UGLY:
Things to NEVER order from them? Fragile plants like live tomato and pepper plants, groundcover (usually arrives waterlogged and rotting with the stink of death about them) They really shouldnt sell items that cant take a beating when shipped. I planted some rotting Creeping Red Sedum 3 weeks ago and none of it grew. There were supposed to be 12 plants but there maybe 6-8 tiny plants and several small bits. I might take the remains then stick it in an envelope and mail it back for 39 cents just for kicks to see what happens; provided they dont rot completely out of existence.

Overall I give them a neutral rating since they have major problems as many here can testify, but they are cheap. Its probably better to order twice as much as you need when ordering live plants, figuring 1/2 the order will die or be DOA. Its best to order the smallest quantity you can of a particular item until you see what kind of shape it arrives in.

They should concentrate more on improving quality control and customer service.

On 3/12/2006 I ordered 10 Thuja, Green Giant for $59.50, plus $8.95 for Packing & Processing. I received them on 4/20/06. I returned them the following day unopened, because they sent a little plastic envelope with little clipping in it. I took it out to the garage and turned on my husbands work light to see what was in it. It was nothing but little cutting from a plant, and from what I could see it looked like some of them were dead.

They did refund some of my money $49.50, but they think they should be able to keep the rest of my $18.95. I'm thoroughly disgusted with this company. I have tried to connect them several times, but all I get is a call center( 309)664-7334. I have turned this over to my credit card company so I could dispute the charge of $18.95 for the postage and processing. I shouldn't have to pay it if all I got was half dead twigs in the package. And I didn't get any planting instructions with them. Every time I send them a email I give them my phone number, asking for them to call but no one will call me. It very fishy to me. I really don't know who I'm dealing with.

But the refund should be for $59.50 that is what I paid for 10 of them. Their math is bad.

Thuja, Green Giant 10 $59.50


This is their response:

The refund is for $49.50, which is the cost of the Thuja 'Green Giant' minus the postage the company had to pay to accept the package back. As always, the packing and processing charge of $8.95 is non-refundable.

They told me the following in the last email got from them, but I got a flyer in the mail and if you go to http://www.houseofwesley.com it takes you to a link to Direct Gardening.

(You placed your order with Direct Gardening, which is not a company that puts out catalogs/flyers.)

They apparently have no concern for customer satisfaction. I also will be contacting the BBB if I do not get a refund of $18.95. Why should they keep my money when they sent me half dead twigs.

Their one year replacement guarantee sucks, if you order something and they send you trash they
say you still have the pay their postage and processing charge.

I will never order from DIRECT GARDENING again and will recommend to everyone not to do business with them. Wish I had checked this forum sooner. Sorry this is so long , but I'm tired of
dealing with them.

I placed a 100.00 order with on March 17. I called the company on April to check the status, and was told they were starting to ship soon. On April 22 < i tried to contact them again, phone and fax busy for days. I finally received a email back on April 25, saying that my credit card was decline and they sent a email on March 29 letting me know this. I did not receive a email from them, there was no reason for the credit card to be decline, and when I spoke ot someone on the phone for over 7 minute son April 1st, they did not tell me. They said they could replace the order after a couple of emails on April 27th. As of May 24, I still have not received anything, my credit card was process on May 1. I was told last week it takes three weeks from order date , it has now been over 4 weeks.

"

A dmail was sent to this customer. The customer responded that the order had been received."

My order was for various ground cover, hedge plants and trees.
I received my plants about four weeks after placing the order (April 2006).
The packaging was minimal, consisting only of plastic bags, but it was delivered by DHL and everything was in perfect condition.
Everything was received as ordered and every plant is budding, leafing and doing well.
I will order from Direct Gardening again.

Again I seem to be lucky. Had I read this site before, I would have never ordered from them. But being new tot he country, I had no idea. I bought via internet a Sweet Cherrie which costed me about 12 dollars including shipping. The tree is nothing more but a stick of which the top few inches had broken, bare root with some small roots. But I had not expected anything more than that that would be ok, which indeed seems to be the case. I planted it according to intstructions and it is getting green on the sides. I expect it to take quite a few years to be a nice tree, but so far, so good.

I am giving it a 'neutral', as my inquiery about the shipping remained unanswered. But one day after the order arrived. Also, packing could have been better, as the tree was shipped in a plastic bag and could have been easily more damaged. But I'm happy. Let's see if I get cherries after all, and not pears or anything , like the one with the pinky roses! LOL

I had placed an order (which they processed the money right away)..well to date i still have not received. i have emailed (5+ times), as well as attempted to call.. (busy signal). at this point I am at a loss. i also emailed Burgess since they are affliated with them and expressed my disappointment and disgust. I don't have the extra money (i had to save to buy these plants) to go and do all this again...
I will never use them again and am now only hoping to see something before winter...

"

A dmail was sent to this customer and customer notified us that the order was received. In addition, we do show receiving several emails from this customer on 5/19. We did reply to all of them on 5/20. Our usual response time on emails is the following business day."

It's never too late to learn. I'd ordered the tri-colored Buddleia with some other flowers. The Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) was merely three dead sticks stuck in a little pot. Being a novice to this plant, I contacted the experts and did everything I could to grow those dead sticks. If I had been able to grow dead sticks, I would be a gardening guru. LOL!!!

The other flowers were likewise singing funeral dirges when I unpacked them.

All of the catalogues from this company are used to light the kindling in my fireplace. At least the catalogue is useful. :)

"

We are sorry to hear that the customer's buttefly bush did not survive. We hope the customer will take advantage of our one year guarantee. She need only return the original shipping label and let us know which item is dead and we will be happy to issue replacements or a merchandise credit."

I placed an order with Direct Gardening on May 7, 2006. Since I have neither received the plants or an update letting me know what's happening to my order, I called them. It should have been a clue that they don't have a toll free number.
My order still hasn't even been prepared and it will be several weeks (3) yet before they ship. SInce the money was paid to them the very day I placed the order that's a little shady.
I tried to cancel the order and the very rude lady wouldn't take my cancellation on the phone, or by email. I have to write a letter requesting a cancellation and refund.
I'm thoroughly disgusted with this company. There seems to be no customer value or reponse which tells me they know they're not on the up and up.
I will also file a complaint with the BBB if they don't refund my money. The letter will be put in the mail today and I will give them exactly one week to refund or I will file a complaint.

They apparently have no concern for continuing in business....... customer satisfaction is not guaranteed or valued from what I've experienced with them.

AVOID this company. I ordered a bunch of bulbs last spring including Turkenlouis Poppies, cannas and dahlias. I have order these from catalogs before and they have done well. The bulbs/plants which I received from Direct Gardening were terrible. I basically received bags of moldy mush. I immediately called them and was told to plant them anyway and see what happens, and they refused to issue a refund until I tried to grow them! I put them in the ground and obviously nothing came up, they say that they want me to ship the "remains" of the plants, but that is ridiculous and I certainly do not want replacement plants! I sent them the original mailing label, and have tried to email them numerous times, but I never received a response. I will be contacting the BBB if I do not get a refund within the next 2 weeks.

"

We are not sure why this customer said that we do not answer her emails. Her most recent string of emails began the same day as this posting. We responded on 5/17 and she has been answering our responses.
Our guarantee states that for a refund the plants need to be returned within 14 days of receipt along with the original shipping label. The customer did return the original shipping label to us and we issued merchandise credit certificates to her on 11/30/05 and 3/8/06 upon receiving her requests. In her emails to us in May, she said that she never received either certificate so we have issued duplicates that were sent 5/31/06."