Comments regarding Bluestone Perennials

I was disappointed with the packing and the condition of some of the plants I received this past weekend. I opened the box as soon as I received it on Saturday morning and found the viola, digitalis and sedum bone dry and starting to shrivel. I immediately put them in a bucket of water with some Super Thrive and let them soak for about 10 minutes before I planted them. Since they've been in the ground for two days now, they look much better, except for the viola. Because the plants are shipped so tiny, which means a smaller amount of soil, Bluestone should take the extra effort to at least bag the plants to retain moisture. But they are shipped only in packing peanuts. I like Bluestone, especially for their selection of plants -- and their customer service (!), but they would be stellar if they would just improve their packing -- especially for plants being shipped "ground" across the country.

I am compelled to write and say that I have had nothing but great success with plants ordered from Bluestone. Yes, they were small; yes, they often came in threes (but isn't planting in threes the symmetrical way to do it as garden designers do?). But they were so fresh and healthy when I opened the box, they looked as though they had been shipped this morning - a far cry from some of those other places we've all experienced. Also, I enjoy being able to get a variety of plants not usually available through my local sources and, sometimes, past the season my local sources stock them. I am preparing to order from Bluestone again and will probably do so a second time, at least, during the season.

Beware of dealing with this company despite the ratings on this site! I placed an order over 2 weeks ago and they charged my credit card immediately for the order even though it would not ship till April.. I had to change my plans and have tried to get the order canceled and my credit card refunded, but all attempts to contact the company have been futile. I am in the process of contacting the Better Business Bureau to get my money refunded.

"The following is a summary of our correspondence with this customer:

Sun 1/16 Customer placed order online

Mon 1/17 Customer emailed inquiring about shipping times

Tues 1/18 Customer emailed inquiring about timing on billing

Wed 1/19 Bluestone responded to both questions

Mon 1/31 Customer emailed us requesting cancellation of order due to a change of plans.

Fri 2/4 Bluestone processed credit to his charge card

Sat 2/5 Customer posted comments on GardenWatchDog – Bluestone posted rebuttal

Sat 2/5 Customer emailed Bluestone with same comments, enabling us to match him up with the anonymous Watchdog posting.

Efforts to contact the customer 2/7 through this site and via regular email have gone unanswered.

We regretfully acknowledge that there was a delay between his request and our reply to him. The requested credit was processed on a timely basis, but due to a big sales week, and a flu outbreak, we did fall behind in our email replies. This customer was owed a more timely response. I am sorry he chose to post these negative comments without giving us a call, first.

"

I don't care for their minimum order policy. If I want one plant, I don't like having to buy at least 3 of them to get the one I want.

I picked out 3 plants I wanted, but because of their quantity setup, I would have had to pay over $35 and have 6 extra plants I didn't want.

Much easier just to drive to a local nursery and get what you want, or order from somewhere else. Regardless of the quality of the small plants, why pay for extras when you can get something locally that is already larger and less expensive...plus no shipping costs.

I placed a small order of gaillardias in August 2004. Right after that, my section of Florida was hit by three of the four hurricanes. Bluestone held my order for the duration of the storms and then attempted to contact me online about my order. Failing that due to power outages, they called to see if I still wanted the order. I did, and it arrived in good shape. I planted the plants and have already cut the first few blooms. Will definitely order from them again.

Ordered last spring from Bluestone. The plants looked (small but) beautiful. (However, this was no suprise to me, as they clearly state what size the containers are. And, I ordered from them after finding this website--after OF COURSE, being burned by many of the other "well known" horrible mail order companies that so many of us have been robbed by) Anywho, five of the eighteen (plants) ordered did not make it through to fall. I did not call to let them know (right away) because I was waiting to see if they would come back and make it. I still did not call and notify them until TODAY (1/26/05) when I was placing a new spring order. The customer serice person cheerfully ordered me five new plants, and then took off my shipping for my WHOLE order, since she stated I should not have to pay (shipping) for the replacement plants. Woo hoo!! Also, I had concerns about a hosta I was ordering 7 of. I had seen in another catalog, it "turns" to a completly different color than the one they are showing. I discussed this with the representative, and she stated that if they did not turn out as I wanted, they would still replace them (even if there was nothing "wrong" with them)!! Wow--that is standing behind your product. I am so excited for my spring order--I hope that anyone who is on the fence as to whether or not to order from them will give them a chance. They are well worth it!!!!

Just a note after reading some of the neutral comments about this company. I worked for several years at a perennial nursery that bought large quantities of plants to grow into stock from Bluestone. Since I've left that business, I've bought several shipments from bluestone myself. These plants are small, but they do grow into big, beautiful and healthy plants. When you are looking forward to spring and planting, it's always a little disappointing not to open the box to gorgeous flowering plants, but be patient. They will come soon enough. I'm actually plotting my next order now. There are some good and hard to find new varieties this year.

This is my favorite mail order nursery. I have been a steady customer for many years and I have found the selection of plants great and customer service superior.

The plants are on the smaller side but most will grow and thrive, on the occasion that you have a failure, you will find that this company stands behind their guarantee, something that lots of places just don't. They make you feel like you really are a valued customer.

A+

I've been very happy with Bluestone for the past three years. Yes, the plants are small. But, I like the selection they offer and the plants always arrived alive (unlike Wayside Gardens on the latter).

BUT... Be aware of significant price increases for 2005. The early bird buy-2-get-the-3rd-free is gone, replaced by 20% off or 25% for returning customer (via a discount code in the print catalog).

After suspecting the price increases, I re-entered my order from last year (they still had all the plants) and found a n overall 21.5% cost increase using the 25% discount. Some of the pre-discount prices went up, some down. Shipping stayed the same

I'll be sure to shop around further this year before placing an order.

Tiny plants that don't always survive and aren't always glowing with health upon arrival. Otherwise, great selection. However, I will only order from them if I can't find what I want anywhere else.

As gardening season ends, and I update my garden logs, now that I have time…..
I get to note which plants reappeared this season and how they faired.
Ordered from Bluestone in the fall of 2003, every single plant come up in the spring and stole the show. Had more complements on the Trycyrtis Muzaki (toad lily) even before they bloomed. I can see why they are a gardenwatch dog top rated company

I ordered three Japanese Painted Ferns and two Helleborus, and they arrived quickly, in excellent condition, well packaged and reasonably priced. I would not hesitate at all to use Bluestone again.

Just wanted to add my comments to this forum for this wonderful company. I ordered lots of daffodils, crocus, and other bulbs from Bluestone and have to say they were very prompt with beautiful, large, viable bulbs! I did have one problem with a double daffodil they sent me. I took a picture, asked them what they thought I might be doing wrong, and they replied very quickly that I wasn't doing anything wrong and they would replace my bulbs in the fall. Well, I never reminded them. Never e-mailed them again. Sure enough, last week I received my replacement bulbs. They didn't forget. I will be ordering from this company for a long time. I like it when I don't have to hassle a company to make restitution for inferior bulbs. Obviously, an inferior bulb is not their fault, but they made it right.

Great company!

Excellent selection and service. I've placed several orders over the last 3-4 years and have always been satisfied. This fall's order came with some dead plants...they promptly responded to my email and reshipped quickly.

I have placed many orders with Bluestone. Their plants are small (and priced accordingly) but they tell you that up-front. They're a wonderful value.

Most plants have arrived in excellent condition. A couple years ago, I had 6 plants (of over 200 ordered) that arrived dried out and severely wilted. I phoned them and they promptly sent replacements. Two of the original six actually came out of it and survived.

Their shipment is always prompt. Reps have been very courteous on my phone orders.

The Bluestone website is great...one of the best I've found. Easy to use. You can search for a list of plants for a particular condition (zone, sun exposure, soil acidity, soil moisture, plant height, bloom color, bloom season, etc).

I highly recommend this company's products and service.

Once again, I am impressed by my order from Bluestone. Yes, the plants are small (they do mention this) and yes, sometimes a plant is battered or dry, but I haven't ever received any plants so beaten or dry they couldn't be revived. Plants grow and they want to live, a little time will give you big plants (and Bluestone usually sells in 3-packs!) that will look amazing. The coupons are a wonderful bonus and so is the selection of plants and customer service. Bluestone has enabled me to have a big garden on a small budget.

Bluestone has excellent customer service, excellent turn-around time, great native plants, and a wonderful selection. Plants have arrived as described and were always packed properly. No complaints here. Will be placing many more orders with Bluestone.

I have placed several orders with Bluestone and I am always happy with the plants they send. They are very healthy and have done well in my gardens. A+ company.

I have been there before and loved it, so I received some gift cards for xmas,, got plants today,, shipped and packed well, plants are great condition,, they just ran out of one hosta I wanted so they will ship in spring,, but over all Iike them..

Great company. I think their prices are more than fair for the beautiful plants that I received. Great shipping. Plants have done well all summer.

I ordered a large number of plants from Bluestone last year, and was very happy with my purchase. A few didn't survive the winter, and they were promptly replaced this past spring (all are doing well). One plant didn't survive because I put it in an "iffy" location, but they insisted on sending a replacement for that one, too. I would highly recommend Bluestone Perennials (I've just placed another order).

The service was quick and efficient. The plants were very nicely packed,arrived without any damage and in healthy. One order they were not able to provide a plant I ordered. However, they did give me a voucher for the value of what I had ordered. I used that voucher on my next order. I am now on my 3rd order with Bluestone and looking at more plants for spring. They have provided information on planting my perinnials that has been helpful. Everything is doing very nicely in my gardens. I look forward to receiving my next order when they start shipping the plants for fall. They are also very good in responding to questions.

I am a three-time customer of Bluestone. I like their catalog and their prices. Their online ordering is easy and efficient and the telephone operators are also competent and pleasant. I have had mixed results with their product.

The first order was in spring (2 seasons ago) and was satisfactory in all regards. The plants were smaller than I expected but all did well. The second order was in autumn as we have such a short (non-existent really) spring in SW Georgia. The humidity and heat comes on suddenly and ferociously here so fall plantings usually do better.

My order always contains 4-5 selections and the last two times at least two of the selections are particularly disappointing. In both cases (autumn orders) at least one of the three plants (they come in 3-packs) were dead. The lobelia were all dead. The adenophora were dead or nearly.

The selection and price is great so I will probably continue to press my luck. When they are good they are exceptional but unfortunately, they are not consistently good.

I have ordered from Bluestone several times. I have always been totally satisfied with their products and their customer service is tops and prices excellent. I definitely will order from this company again.

Ordered $300 in plants: was surprised they were so small but 3 mos. after planting, 98% survival & the Asters, Monarda, Anchusa, Carnations, Gaillardia, Kanutia, Anthemis, plus all else ordered have, already, filled the spaces I thought they wouldn't fill for 3 years! I'd been "warned" by my land-scaper that Clematis wouldn't survive here with 95 degree summer days & 12% humidity BUT 2 of the 6 planted did & bloomed for 6 weeks. A stunning plant ordered is Lysimachia punctata Alexander (have Aster 'Purple Dome' in front of it)& all are growing beautifully. I, definitely, recommend this company but suggest they do as good a job as Wayside does with the packing!

I love Bluestone. I ordered from them due to the incredible feedback on Dave's and have not been disappointed. Their plants came to me in healthy good condition and their prices were reasonable. I will definitely do more business with them. - EM Berney-Moose

This was my first time ordering from Bluestone, which I chose based on the multitude of positive feedback. I was disappointed when I received my order. The plants weren't packed as securely as I'd have liked; many had bent or broken in transit. I was really surprised at the condition and size of the plants; some looked like twigs, many had dead leaves and stems. Only two plants in a few of the 3 paks were alive... I was almost embarrassed to even put most of the pathetic looking plants in the ground. The good news is that I did, and the plants are growing,some quite well, oddly enough. Maybe I'll be thrilled next year if they come back big and healthy and strong, but I was very disappointed upon receiving my order and doubt that I'll be ordering from them again. I am happy to see that others are stilled pleased; maybe my order was a fluke.

I was overall very pleased with the plants that I received. The azaleas that I ordered were very small, but I only paid around 3.00 apiece for them and they appeared very healthy. They were shipped right on time, and packaged well. The only thing I found annoying is that you can't buy just one of most of their products, the majority of them are sold in 3 packs only. I would probably have made a larger order if I had been able to order just 1 of any of their varieties.

I just had to add another wonderful rating for this company! The plants that I received were all large and healthy. The packing was great and they shiped them very quickly. I will definitely shop with them again!

I am very pleased with my experience with Bluestone. They are very professional and pleasant to deal with and quick to respond to requests. For the most part the plants I ordered arrived in good shape. For those that didn't "make it", Bluestone was happy to replace them, and quickly. I highly recommend them and will definitely order from them again.

I was pleased with the condition and size of my plants when they arrived. I was also impressed with the communication at every step of processing my order. I'm a bit concerned I may have ordered them too late to plant here in the hot Texas June sun, but that is my own fault!

Good, but not exceptional. I received all my plants quickly and they all arrived safely, but they were not in the best of shape. Many of the plants were dry or had yellow or brown leaves. I ordered from a sale in June, so this may be because these were the last of the spring plants. They were all alive though and the packaging was sufficient. I think the prices are too high to justify spending for the plants I received. Customer service is very good; I received an e-mail letting me know when to expect my order and thanking me for the purchase. They offer to recycle the foam peanuts by sending them back and then allow you free shipping on your next order, which is nice. This is a good company, but there are better ones out there such as Graceful Gardens or Flower Scent Gardens, whose plants come in really amazing shape. I would recommend this company to other gardeners after they had explored the other two companies listed.

This is the first time I have ordered from this company. Everything arrived on time and looked very healthy. It has now been a few weeks since I planted and all of the plants are doing wonderful. I would not hesitate to order from this company again.

this was my first time dealing with this company, but I took the plunge and ordered their perennial starter garden and butterfly garden sets -- ~ 75 plants in all. The shipment arrived quickly and everything was well-packed and properly labeled. The plants were in great condition. I got them all in the ground immediately and they have survived their first 36 hours in 95 degree plus weather. I would definitely order from Bluestone again.

ssipes

I placed my first order on a Sunday, rec'd the order complete on Tuesday. The plants were pkg'd excellent, looked great, and excellent prices.

Ordered 12 different plants in all - they were shipped incorrectly and when they arrived they were very dried out - at least most of them...So I sent an email to Bluestone and they resent the entire order on a Monday ensuring they would reach me before the weekend and not have to spend several days on the back of a FEDEX truck like the other ones - they also told me to keep the plants that had been sent incorrectly - no charge. Very nice people - very honest and hopefully with some extra TLC all of them will make it. I would certainly buy from them again!

I'm not a huge mail order live plant fan, but Bluestone is better than any I've dealt with so far. The plants are on the small side, but Bluestone is pretty up front about how big/small they are (they tell you they come in 6 cell pack size or 3.5" pots, or whatever--none of this #1 plant size, stuff whatever that means). They're priced pretty fairly for their size. The plants arrived in good shape with decent root systems. They weren't moldy or broken. They ship them so that you do not have to plant them immediately, which in my opinion is a good thing. I hate plant panic. I ordered $150 worth of plants--in the neighborhood of 40-50 individual plants--and I think each will survive and thrive. I'd order from them again.

Excellent service,great plants....and a delight to buy from.

Have purcased from this company on numerous occasions...their products are exceptional. The many plants I have ordered over the years are always well packed and when they arrive at my home are green and alive. Highly recommend this company