Comments regarding Old House Gardens - Heirloom Bulbs

Posted on April 17, 2007, updated November 6, 2010
In Aug. of 2006, I ordered some bulbs for spring 2007, unfortunately one of their suppliers had a crop failure on a couple of the gladiolus bulbs I had ordered. They sent me a nice note with the credit PLUS
an extra 10 %, PLUS a couple of extra bulbs of ones that they could ship from my initial order. Now I consider that this is a company that is truly trying to please. The bulbs that they did ship are first rate as always. I had already placed a fall order and now I have credit to use. Can't wait. Patti

I am so thrilled to see that Old Haus is still around! I can remember stories my mother would tell me as a child about the wonderful canna lilies and other beautiful things she procured from this Nursery. Cannot wait to get my order!

One of the best companies I've ever dealt with, period. Good, true to form bulbs, outstanding personalized customer service, and a great mission....preserving some of our history. Old House Gardens will never let you down...they haven't let me down for 6 years in a row!

For the past two years my sisters and my mom and I have ordered Old House Gardens heirloom daffodil bulbs for my sister's birthday. She is a historian who appreciates the background stories on each of the bulbs which OHG supplies in the catalog and in the shipping. I especially like that we can authorize them to substitute bulbs that will grow in her zone if necessary. This year they sent a personalized note when the order shipped, which is timed to the planting season of the zone to which it's going. Awesome customer service and even "awesomer" daffodils!

The bulbs are AMAZING! They remind me of flowers my great-grandmother and grandmother had in their gardens. My garden has a unique look now, not the same flowers as everyone else has purchased from the big box stores. The service is friendly and costumer oriented. The website is filled with pictures, so you know what you will be getting, and lots of grower information. Beautiful bulbs delivered straight to my door.

Over the years I have planted many cannas and I really have to say that Oldhouse really has their **** together. I have never received such good merchandise, other companies just send 1 or 2 eyes and every bulb I have ever received from these guys has at lease 3-4 eyes. This is a really great nursery that others should look to for the standard!

There are some companies that are a pure pleasure to order from, and Old House Gardens is one. I order from them probably two or three times a year. The selection is great, the service has always been prompt and accurate. The bulbs are very high quality and healthy.

One of the things that makes me feel connected is the note the people who fulfill the order leave for me, sometimes Scott, the owner writes a note, too. I can't think of any other companies where I actually know the owner from correspondence by ordering over the years, but Scott and his employees have managed it. The result is the connection created, also a trust. I know if there were ever an issue with the bulbs, I can pick up the phone and ask Scott.

Given the many years in which I have received an excellent product as well as excellent service from Old House Gardens, I suppose now is a good time to witness to such here in this forum. Each year, I look forward to the arrival of OHG's catalog just as a small child anticipates the toy catalogs published before Christmas. I have spent many hours sitting at my PC waiting to get first shot at some of their very rare bulbs from the "Hortus." While paintings don't quite equate with tulips, dealing in such rarities and being one of the few sources for them in the USA, the staff and owner at OHG would have every right to develop a somewhat 'snooty" attitude (eg. "We're the only show in town.") My experience has been quite the opposite. I find them bending over backward to help. Yes, they make an occasional error, as have I. Yes, I have had the occasional bulb not perform as I had hoped......Who's fault? hungry squirrels; a too wet winter; who knows. As long as the numbers are reasonable (and they have been better in my experience with OHG than most other bulb suppliers), I accept every gardener's fate and am able to appreciate all the successes adding to the beauty and joy in my garden. A failed plant happens despite the best of care.......(and I do admit that I sometimes am too caring, and my excessive TLC has ended up killing more plants than I care to admit.) Despite even my errors, I know that OHG will do everything possible to "make it right." To me, that is the attitude of an exceptional company. I can purchase very good bulbs from many sites (and I do). Very few bulb suppliers go beyond the beyonds just to insure that the buyer is satisfied. OHG supports not only their product, but also their customers. This is why I will continue to spend several hundred dollars a year at OHG. I trust them and have grown to appreciate the very personal care given to me. I wish that all the toys I lusted after as a child had provided me even half the pleasure I have received from the bulbs at OHG.

Happy Gardening and may everyone find joy and peace in their lives!

Boru

I have placed many orders with Old House Gardens and they are without a doubt the best mail order plant company I have ever dealt with. I have ordered hyacinths, peonies, dahlias, bluebells, alliums, silver bells etc, etc, and I have never had anything fail to thrive -not even one single bulb.

I also love their mission of preserving the old heirloom varieties which to my eyes fit the landscape so much better than the somewhat gaudy modern versions I see in some other bulb catalogs.

They are expensive but worth every penny.

Old House Gardens has provided excellent product, true as advertised, along with incomparable customer service.

The dahlias I ordered for my Southern garden, not only flourished beatifully, but multiplied and thrived in this humidity.

When I started to lift the tubers last fall, they had multiplied beyond my expectations!
OHG/my experience- an exemplary company of the way gardening SHOULD be.

I placed a large order for daffodils, tulips, lilies, and crocus from OHG. I have no regrets! Their service, expertise, and passion are exemplary. A little pricy but for the quality you get and the fact that you're supporting a small business, it's well worth it. All the bulbs I planted performed beautifully except one single tulip that failed to thrive. Still pretty good for the size of my order.

I'm delighted with my bulbs! Last fall I purchased and planted Spanish Bluebells, crocus (Tommies), and an Edulis Superba peony. Every single plant came up - I counted them! This is the first time I've ever planted bulbs, so you can imagine how happy I am with the result. I've just planted the daylilies I ordered for spring planting, and can't wait to see how they turn out (although I realize I may have to wait until next year for them to bloom.)

I have now ordered three times with Old House Gardens, always with extreme satisfaction. I just received my spring order and was greatly impressed with the personal service I received. 3 rare Louis Cayeux canna were unavailable. Scott from Old House Gardens called my home, explained the situation and substututed with 3 cannas that were more expensive at the lower price of the Louis Cayeux! As always, the bulbs/iris and daylillies were all in excellent shape when I received them. This company consistently makes me feel like a highly valued customer :)

Posted on April 19, 2010, updated April 22, 2010
I ordered in January so I could get the spring-planted bulbs I wanted. They called me in March to say that they lost my order and just found it and did I still want the stuff? Of course what I wanted was sold out. So I said never mind. They didn't seem to care at all--didn't try to make it up to me in any way, throw in an extra, nothing. They just said "Fine" and rang off. I had ordered from them before and their bulbs are very expensive and rare. They make such a big deal about what a great company they are. But I won't order again after this experience. It's sad to see customer service declining in so many companies.

"On Apr 21, 2010 11:47 AM, Old House Gardens - Heirloom Bulbs responded with:

MartBright, I'm sorry we disappointed you, and I hope you'll give us a chance to make things right! Your order wasn’t really lost. We just neglected to charge your card for it in January, so we called in March to let you know we’d be charging it then. Lemon lilies were sold out by then, but yours had already been reserved for you -- and I’m sorry our Customer Service person was confused about that when she talked with you. We’ll send your entire order to you today at no charge. We want you happy! Scott"

I have ordered from them for years. Every interaction has been outstanding. The bulbs always arrive in perfect condition and are usually much larger than what comes from inferior companies. The order arrives with a handwritten note that makes me feel like a friend is sharing bulbs with me. The flowers bring me joy, and I have tried many unusual items that I would never have known about but for OHG. I will be a happy customer for as long as I can still dig!

I have been ordering heirloom bulbs from Old House Gardens for the last five or six years. Their customer service is fast, friendly, and exemplary, and their bulbs are outstanding. I've probably purchased at least fifteen or twenty varieties of daffodils from them over the years, and they never disappoint. I've recently begun buying quite a few hyacinths from them as well, and after seeing them all in bloom this spring, I was just knocked out by their beauty and fragrance. It's hard to understand why these stunning heirlooms should be in danger of going extinct. I have not seen anything like them anywhere else. I plan to buy more this year, as I'm hoping for an even bigger rand better display next spring.

These are the nicest folks to deal with! In moving from Virginia to Tennessee to Louisiana and now North Carolina, Old House Gardens has been my constant garden source and friend. I am delighted with my bulbs in re-creating "grandma's garden." My cannas have also been gorgeous and my first year peonies are up and have buds. Scott is also great in keeping me abreast of my favorite Ann Arbor deli!

The bulbs arrived in perfect condition and at the very week I needed to plant them. They are already growing. I love the touch with a handwritten note from one of the employees. ORDER from these people!!

I got my bulb order yesterday and I couldn't be more pleased. Even in a difficult year for some of OHG's most rare dahlias, OHG came through for me again. All I had to do is look at my order form to know that OHG's fulfillment staff were really making the effort to make me happy this spring. OHG has several options if there happens to be a crop failure and your order can't be completed. Besides offering subs in every way possible, they will refund your credit card if you wish. In my case they went the extra mile to get me the bulbs I wanted even when the subs crop failed. Then they made up the cost difference themselves. It was an unusual and complicated situation. It was clear that my order had been gone over several times to get it right. Getting hand written notes in the margin and corrections and cross outs added personally, certainly make a person feel well cared for... I guess it is the gardening spirit, right? Anyway, they are definitely not the norm when it comes to mail order gardening. You really feel like you have a friend in "the business".

I have purchased from OHG for several years now, and they have never let me down. The bulbs are fantastic, and it is just wonderful to have a place to get rare bulbs. The bulbs aren't cheap, but everything I have received is high-quality, and I haven't had a bulb fail yet. I am so excited each time I get a notice that there are new bulbs in stock! The Customer Service people are the nicest in the world, and they have even sent me notes regarding pending orders and voicing a concern about something I have ordered that might not be right for my zone. Such caring is very special. I can't say enough good things about this company and their employees! They want every customer to succeed with planting and gardening!

I am very, very pleased with my order, and the great info attached to every bulb. I am even more pleased with their CS. There was a very nice letter included (and I had previously received an email about this issue) indicating a crop failure with one of their dahlias. They chosed to send one to each of the individuals who ordered this variety. To me, this is great, and very fair. I had opted for product credit with them if any problems occured with my order. I am delighted to say that I received a voucher,( purple so I can't lose it LOL) for refund on price, shipping plus 10%. Can't wait to order in the fall. I can't say enough positive about the quality, quantity and most of all fairness of this company. Highly, highly recommended.

Over the last few years I've ordered bulbs from these folks. Any time I've experienced any difficulties they have graciously and patiently advised, counseled and/or speedily made it right. Last year they replaced a bunch of stubborn crocus for me. This batch popped up in all its possible glory. I have posted my comment here because I want the world to know how fabulous this company is. Thank you.

Ordered last year. A couple of things never came up but I forgot to notify Old House so Ithat is my own fault. The items that did bloom were quite beautiful.

"On Apr 21, 2010 11:48 AM, Old House Gardens - Heirloom Bulbs responded with:

Blueeyeskms, Anytime any of our bulbs are less than 100% perfect, we want to know. It's never too late. Please contact us directly so we can replace your no-shows! Scott"

My experience with Old House Gardens has been a joy for 5 years. Everything that I have ordered has grown and bloomed true to the catalog description and pictures. The packages have been received in excellent condition with a personal handwritten note on the packing slip. Old House Gardens makes me feel like I'm an old friend - picking up where we left off last time. I highly recommend them!

I truly cannot say enough good things about Old House Gardens. I first ordered from them in May of 2008, and was so pleased with their bulbs that I ordered again this year--3 different times! I just received my final order of this season today, and as always everything was carefully packaged, each variety labeled with their invaluable "bag tags". OHG's website is wonderful: gorgeous photos of everything they offer, loads of information about planting & care, and interesting details about the history of bulbs in general. I love that they specialize in heirloom varieties--I feel like I'm helping to save a little bit of living history in my small city lot here in Pittsburgh. I've only purchased fall-planted items so far: daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, snakeshead frits, real English bluebells, but they have spring-planted bulbs too.. They offer an astonishing variety of tulips & daffodils, especially. But the very best part of my experience with them has been the people. Every order comes with a handwritten, personalized note from Scott Kunst, their founder, and he just seems so NICE! He even noted that this was my 3rd order this season & thanked me again. Everyone I've spoken/emailed with has been so nice & helpful. They're even great with problems: I had a few bulbs which were duds, and Scott not only replaced them but threw in several more! If you want to buy beautiful bulbs & have a completely positive experience, shop Old House Gardens.

Have had several orders from OHG and all have been filled with wonderful, huge bulbs! When I moved 2 zones south (after 20 years in frozen cold 4B) they're helping me fill my new 6A yard with color. My latest order contained twice what I paid for because they were out of 1 thing I ordered. They even called me to advise me that one of the things ordered would not grow for me. And easily subbed my choice! They are wonderfully encouraging and more than happy to go the extra mile to ensure their customers have great results!

One of the best mail order experiences I have ever had. Being a relative bulb novice, I ordered a sampler & received nice, healthy bulbs picked for my z8 clime accompanied by a kind, handwritten note. Very detailed planting/care instructions were included. It is very evident that these folks care about their customers & their products. First class all the way.

Excellent mail order company. The reviews are all correct. Great communication, packing,etc. Sent everything ordered. Recommend!!

When I moved from NH to AL I had a lot to learn about southern gardening. A local garden columnist (Bill Finch) recommended OldHouse Gardens for their quality and outstanding service. I have been delighted with everything about this company over the past four years. They are the first in my experience to include personal notes with gardening advice along with their shipment. Through them I have discovered Byzantine glads and and lady tulips (tulipa clusiana), beautiful and unusual spring-flowering bulbs that do well here in the South. When I ordered some bulbs that I thought would be good here, I received a phone call from a very helpful staffer at OHG, advising me that these would likely not do well; she suggested alternatives that worked out wonderfully in my garden. OHG is tops in service as well as unusual bulbs!

This is my third or fourth year ordering from Old House Gardens - and once again the order arrived better than I ever could have hoped. As always, a hand-written note from the owner himself, each bulb with a variety-specific care note attached to the bag, and the entire order carefully packed. I garden in horribly nutrient-deficient sand, and don't always have a lot of luck with other plants, but when the OHG folks say in their catalog that a plant is an "easy grower" or "grows well in sand" they do know what they're talking about - their lilies have performed just wonderfully for me, and are truly breathtaking. I've gotten the most amazing comments and queries from folks walking past on the street - all of that while helping to preserve heirloom bulbs. You can't ever go wrong with OHG, unless (that is) you don't order from them in the first place!

I just received my bulb ordered and am so very pleased. They wrote a personal note with some advice about a specific bulb, something I've never seen before. So, not only are you supporting heirloom plants in ordering from this nursery, you're supporting a company that clearly cares about its customers. I will be back for more, again and again!

I have been ordering from OHG for only four years but do not intend to stop. Their product line is often unique to just them or very hard to find otherwise. The quality I have received has in every single instance been just stupendous. I sometimes plant thinking "My God, just these bulbs are beautiful". Customer service is sometimes an oxymoron in today's society but these guys have reinvented it. They are beyond wonderful at all times and if there should ever be a problem (I did have one variety misidentified somewhere along the line) they not only want to know but are then even better. Should you need advice about hardiness etc. you can call and speak to real folks who know what and love what they are doing. Try doing that with your clickable shopping cart. I cannot say enough good things about an operation that offers great products and the very best customer service ever.

I have been a customer of OHG since 2003 when I lived in Ann Arbor and could stop by their place to pick up my order and say hello to the people who make it all work. There really is an old house, and it does have gardens.

Now I live 300 miles away and am using bulbs from OHG to revive neglected gardens at my new house. The bulbs always arrive in great shape and make a wonderful show. They have gotten me to try hyacinths, a plant I never cared - but they made me a believer. OHG hyancinths are a whole different species from the ones you find in most gardens. I could go on and on . . .

Beyond quality and great service, what sets OHG apart is being able to get response from real people.

I've been a customer of OHG for 5 years, and love them! Their bulbs always arrive in excellent condition with a personal message from the bulb packer. If you're trying to restore a historic garden, or if you're just looking for something different for your garden, this is the place for you!!

I can't say enough good things about Old House Gardens. The rubrum lilies I bought from them, now in their third year, are stunning. The antique daffodils are lovely. They offer a selection I've never seen anywhere else. And I got a handwritten note with my order, giving advice about a pest question I'd asked.

Wonderful company with a nice selection of big, fat healthy antique bulbs & plants. I have been ordering from them for the last couple of years and I must say their customer service is the best I have ever experienced. After asking an e-mail question for advice about glads I purchased which did not bloom, I was contacted by the company and told they would like to send me UNSOLICITED REPLACEMENTS!! I spoke at length with Kelly one of their staff who is a Master Gardener and she helped me out by recommending good replacement choices which they sent out free. Terrific people, buy from them NOW!

I have to post about the friendly and helpful customer service of this company. I've ordered from them repeatedly and have never been disappointed. When one of the bulbs I ordered, a rather rare one, did not perform, I noted it in the comments of my next order. I didn't ask for any action on the part of Old House Gardens, but wanted them to know the bulb did not produce a plant. Not only did Charlie reply, but he sent a replacement bulb, even though I didn't ask for one.

After my first order, I've not received a single shipment from Charlie without his writing a personal note on the paperwork. The staff at this company clearly cares about the product and the customers and actually recognizes returning customers personally.

These days, with impersonal internet and catalog ordering, it is refreshing and heartening to do business with a company with good, old fashioned work ethics and customer service.

All of the bulbs I've received from OHG have been large and healthy. Even when I forgot to plant my fall bulbs until spring one year, they performed - and continue to do so.

I placed my first order last fall and was thrilled with my flowers this spring. The catalog and website is pure eyecandy and they have fabulous stuff not available anywhere else. The staff are fabulous, and it is a treat to deal with people who love what they are doing. I have to admit that because of budget constraints (and a husband who doesn't really get spending a ton of money on the garden) that for more generic things like thalia narcissus I order from cheaper sources, but I plan to continue to budget a good chunk of my bulb money to OHG for the forseeable future.

Pure Magic, From receiving their gorgeous album of the precious bulbs and plants , to speaking with them personally ( a real charming experience) to actually holding the material sooner than I ever expected and in such awesome condition , flawless!
Each year I've ordered has been even more scrumptious than the last , and I feel like they sort of know who I am and take pains to give an extra comment or compliment particular to me. ( They even requested permission to use one of my comments to them as an entry in their next catalogue, very fun and flattering).
I have yet to encounter a problem , and even when I accidently destroyed an item which they were at that point out of , they miraculously discovered one and sent it ,(without my knowing about it until I was delightfully surprised to open the box and find the little treasure).
I have always had a fondness for Dahlias, to include in the boquets I paint in watercolor from, and am really thrilled to anticipate the next catalogue and the exciting discovery of another rare or uncommon tuber to try in my garden and my arrangements.
Thank you Old House Gardens for the little piece of home ( as I imagine it was once upon a time) and for the sweet care and top notch quality you would expect from an operation which is obviously created by and for people who love beautiful flowers.