Comments regarding Bluestone Perennials

I love this company. I have ALWAYS received fabulous, healthy, quality plants from them. I know that when I order from them, I will get a great product. I have recommended them to several of my friends and family who have asked where I bought a particular good-looking plant.

Even though I had numerous problems with my last orders ( damaged plants upon arrival, wilted, small, barely grown plants, top of the plants cut even though there was plenty of room in the box) I can't help to rate this company as positive. Every time I call customer service I am taken care of to my satisfaction. That said I really wish I had no reason to write or call.
I am their customer for many years. Almost all of the perennials and many shrubs in my gardens are Bluestones.
I welcomed coco pots idea- I am very environmentally conscious- until I planted them and many perennials did not survived. Now, year later I simply remove the pots before planting. Coco pots end up in compost pile. There are some plants that that are able to shoot roots thru Coco pots but plants with finer roots just suffer.
Prices are significantly higher -comparing to the prices when I started shopping with them- but so are prices of other suppliers with no comparable customer service. I somehow try to compensate by placing larger orders at the end of the May when Bluestone announce summer sale. For smaller orders I use offered coupons and also buy special collections that Bluestone puts together- Like Echinacea Red Hot Trio, Heucherella Trio...
I hope to see Bluestone Perennials again as TOP 5.
I believe that the heart of the company is in the right place.

Sorry Guys, I used to order from Bluestone quite a lot, but I had the same experience with others with these coir pots. Quite a lot of the plants died, and when I looked the following spring the pots were still there, in one piece. It seems like a good idea, but it just didn't work reliably enough, at least in my experience. And the prices increased enough that I really couldn't justify paying thata much for their plants. They do have an awesome selection, so if you are looking for something really specific, it might be worth a shot, but now I just stick to my local nurseries.

I frequently buy with them and the plants are usually excellent. The few I got that did poorly were promptly replaced. They also have an excellent variety and good prices (not the cheapest, but for a great service and great plant quality it is well worth it).

I have had excellent experience with Bluestone Perennials. In October of this year, I ordered 2 Penstamon Huskers Red. I received 2 well-packaged, perfect plants, and they are doing very well in my garden.
I would highly recommend this company.

Posted on May 19, 2013, updated October 30, 2013
Posted on May 15, 2013, updated May 19, 2013
Posted on May 15, 2013, updated May 15, 2013
Posted on May 14, 2013, updated May 15, 2013
Posted on May 21, 2012, updated May 14, 2013
Posted on April 17, 2012, updated May 21, 2012
Posted on April 17, 2012, updated April 17, 2012
Posted on April 29, 2011, updated April 17, 2012
Posted on October 12, 2010, updated April 29, 2011
Posted on May 21, 2008, updated October 12, 2010
I have just received my 4th order from this company. I was quite disappointed as the Astibles were in terrible bent over and broken condition due to the packing peanuts. I wrote the company and they immediately shipped out a replacement order without further questioning. You cannot beat that for customer service. I would highly recommend buying from this company. I will most surely continue buying at Bluestone.

"On May 15, 2013 1:30 PM, Bluestone Perennials responded with:

We received the email you sent last night when we opened this morning, and the office will be responding directly via email to resolve your shipping damage with either a reshipment or a refund, at your request. Also, we were notified of your change in our ranking this morning, and I have every faith we will be able to regain your trust in us. We are the same company we have been for 40+ years, and we stand behind our plants - guaranteed! Note: the office advises me we are reshipping your Aquilegias today."

Posted on June 28, 2013, updated October 22, 2013
Posted on June 19, 2013, updated June 28, 2013
This year marks the last time I order from Bluestone. There are some things that I don't mind - the coir pots, even getting 1 plant when you used to get 3. But what I do mind, and mind enough to take my business elsewhere - is the price paid for what you actually get.

I order from their 50% off sale every year. And even 50% off is too much to pay for the plant that you receive. Maybe if it's harder to come by, one doesn't mind paying $7 for what amounts to a tiny stick, but paying that for something one could procure at a big box store for $5.99 that is literally 5x the size? (recently came across a bunch, that was kind of a sinking feeling). I just can't do it any more.

Looking back at all my orders for what amounts to dozens of different plants, I can't recall even one of them standing out as impressing me as to its size and quality upon receiving. Looking out at my gardens, many of those plants - all perennials - died. Even their replacements. While I am an experienced gardener that enjoys nurturing a plant and watching it grow, after making all the correct efforts in planting it the first time around (light, soil conditions, etc), one thing I don't have time for is babying something that arrives barely a grade above a plug/liner. One shouldn't have to for that price - even at 50% off.

I ordered about a dozen shrubs in my order this year. 2 of them arrived basically DOA (no longer in stock so a refund was issued), 1 went into the ground, and the other 9 have been potted and I am babying them along for the summer before I can even think about planting them in the ground. Out of the echinaceas, 2 were plugs that had been uprooted in transit (even their packaging could not secure these, they were so small). Their replacements won't arrive until the end of August.

Their customer service is top-notch, but one reaches a point where one just doesn't want to call and complain any more.

Before writing this review, I stopped myself and stepped back and did the old, "Is is me?" before posting it. I buy a lot of plants, both in-person and through mail order. My expectations are not extraordinarily high because I base them on pretty much a rolling average of all experiences. Have I received plants from other companies in worse condition or much smaller? Of course. Have I received worse customer service? Or course. Hence my neutral rating. To some, Bluestone is exactly what they need and never disappoints. To me, I just can't justify the price with what I actually receive. Not any more.

"On Jun 28, 2013 3:30 PM, Bluestone Perennials responded with:

If you will be in touch with our office, we will refund your purchase price. We apologize that our plants have not worked out for you."

I've been very pleased with everything I've ordered from Bluestone. they ship quickly, the coir pots are great, and though the plants arent giant, they really do establish much more quickly than would a larger, pot-bound specimen. By the end of the summer the plants have tripled ( at least ) in size and are thriving! Highly recommended.

I just received my order from Bluestone Perennials. It was my very first order from them but sure won't be the last. The plants were much larger than I expected and in just perfect condition; what ingenious packaging! Love the Coco Pots too; planting these without disturbing the roots will be a cinch. I couldn't be more pleased with my order and I highly recommend this company to anyone wanting the very best!

I ordered 2 viburnums - one arrived dead and the other hasn't grown beyond the 6 leaves it came with. Three dropmores also arrived dead. The aster I ordered is doing very well. Bluestone will be sending replacements of the DOA plants. Bluestone's plants are very small for the price.

"On Aug 28, 2013 10:41 AM, Bluestone Perennials responded with:

I'm glad you have given us the chance to make good on your order. I am sorry your original order arrived in poor condition, and I have every faith that the next set will arrive in great shape. Please don't hesitate to let us know, as we can take further action if needed."

I have been ordering from Bluestone Perennials for the last 4 years. My perennial gardens (shade and sun) are comprised almost exclusively of Bluestone plants and I've only lost one and that was due to my dog digging it up repeatedly. My last experience ordering was the spring 50% off sale. When some plants didn't arrive (and weren't listed as sold out) I contacted customer service. I wasn't happy with the 1st response from them and let them know it. Pat, in the Cust. Serv. office took great pains to make it right. Fantastic, prompt response! The hosta I did order is doing beautifully, as are the salvia. The coir pots seem to do well if you rip and loosen the bottoms prior to planting. I love Bluestone's variety, online plant finder, thorough and clear instructions and plant information. It is a great site for a rank beginner (as I was 4 years ago) as well as an experienced gardener. I have tried other online sites but never had the success I've had with the Bluestone plants.

I made my first purchase here during their last 50% off sale. I had purchased several widows tears, some astilbes, and a few heuchera.
The plants all arrived in some of the largest boxes I have ever seen plants shipped in, but everything was intact and healthy. The coconut husk pots take some getting used to, and I let then soak in some water for an hour before planting. Considering how well they retain water I suspect it's the only reason the plants haven't dried out and died in this heat yet. For those complaining they don't decompose properly, I've noticed a light mulching on top of the pots helps.
I was a tad worried about the astilbes, they turned brown and withered a week after planting, but I noticed today that they're coming around and starting to bounce back.
All in all, I'm quite happy with my purchase and will continue to buy from them next year.

Posted on February 7, 2010, updated July 8, 2013
I ordered 13 plants from Bluestone during a half price sale. I ordered Astible, Sweet Woodruff, Sandwort, and White Bleeding Heart.

The plants were small but healthy. Some of the items I got were purchased with the future season in mind so I can't tell about their blooms but the plants grew and spread beautifully over the summer. My Astilbes bloomed and were lovely.

The only problematic plant was the White Bleeding Heart which arrived broken. I was assured by the friendly customer service agent to plant it and it should come up in the spring so time will tell. If it does not, I was told to call for a replacement. Reading the feedback on this site and from my own experience, I truly trust that this will be the case. I just hope I won't have to as I will love to have a blooming white bleeding heart this spring!

Posted on May 8, 2013, updated June 11, 2013
Posted on May 14, 2008, updated May 8, 2013
I received my very first order from Bluestone Perennials today, and I'm a little disappointed. I did take advantage of their recent sale, and most of those sale items look great, BUT I also ordered a viola (Etain) at $15 for 3 that is in just awful shape. It looks like something you'd find in a clearance bin in mid-July! All yellow and spindly with no blooms.. very disappointing. I love violas and was so excited to have this unique plant, but that excitement has turned to disgust. I have written to Bluestone to ask for a refund for this particular item, but have not heard back. If I do receive a response and refund I'll gladly change this to a neutral, but I really wish they'd not bother sending out these spent plants, especially at these prices!

Posted on May 20, 2012, updated June 11, 2013
I returned to Bluestone after having abandoned them a number of years ago, thinking that they had become too big and their delivered plants too small and insecurely packaged. I was very pleased to receive large, healthy specimens in a timely manner, package it a box with dividers fitted as if tailored to the plants. Bodes well.

I ordered several plants during their 50% off sale. Half of the order arrived if good shape. The other half was blackened and shriveled. This was not a case of shipping damage, those plants were boxed and sent in that condition. It only took 3 days for the plants to arrive at my door and I unpacked them immediately. I emailed Bluestone and they responded promptly and said they would either send replacements or give a credit. I received a credit. So I would give them a 'A' on customer service and a 'D' on plant quality. And I absolutely HATE those coir pots.

I have recently made 2 orders with Bluestone Perinneals and although not perfect I am pleased with the vast majority of plants and my dealings with the company.

I ordered 4 All Gold Bleeding Hearts. The packaging is well thought out to protect the plants. They all looked well and were planted immediately. For some reason 1 died immediately but the other 3 are doing well. After contacting Bluestone I was given an immediate credit, charging the cost back to my credit card. They were out of All Gold Bleeding Heart.

My 2nd order was 3 Gaillardia (Arizona Sun, Arizona Red Shades, Oranges and Lemons), and a Patriot Hosta. All of the plants were packaged well and in good health. They are doing well.

Posted on June 11, 2011, updated June 8, 2013
I wish there was a "splendid!" rating. I started gardening when I purchased my house 9 years ago and have been shopping with Bluestone since then. I LOVE that they grow their own plants.
In all these years and my many orders, only one plant in one threepack was unsatisfactory. I didn't request replacement because in that same order I received 2 free threepacks as premiums. I LOVE sales and coupons.
I'm sure they would've replaced it though, as the only two times I needed to contact customer service in 9 years I found the representatives to be professional, helpful and friendly.
Shipping is prompt and reasonable. In fact, last fall I took advantage of a bulb clearance sale and--I swear--I got up from the computer and walked to the front door and the box was on the porch already!
As long as I keep finding a square foot of free space, I will remain a happy loyal Bluestone customer.

Posted on April 25, 2013, updated June 8, 2013
Posted on June 1, 2012, updated April 25, 2013
Posted on May 7, 2012, updated June 1, 2012
Posted on November 2, 2011, updated May 7, 2012
I ordered 4 plants on 10-31-11 and received them 11-02-11. Very fast shipping and plants are fairly small but not unusual prices for starter plants. I noticed the good packing and soil was still moist. I have never gotten Coconut fiber pots before. Hope they work out because it's good for the environment. Millions of these plastic pots end up on the landfills.
See pictures on the Hosta forum. ( Mail order experiences good or bad ) Thank You!

This is my second purchase, in 2013 with this company.The first was a gift, and the intended receiver was very happy with the plants.
For the second one, I am enjoying the same experience. The plants were well protected and made the transit in the Southern heat. ALL the plants were healthy.

I placed my first order with this company recently. I was impressed with the size of the plants, however two of them were damaged in transit due to crammed packaging, etc. I notified customer service via email. After about a week they responded that they would send replacements. They kept their word and I received nice healthy replacements this week. Good communication and followup. I will order again.

Posted on August 14, 2012, updated June 4, 2013
I'm not posting about a specific order but my overall experience. I have placed quite a few orders the last few years, both large and small and it has been nothing but a positive experience. I love the new coco pots. Do I miss the smaller plants that were priced in threes for the most part, yes. However, all the plants that I have ordered since they changed packaging and pricing structure have been far more robust then when they came in threes, plus they are still small enough and priced competitively that I'm still able to plant a whole bed at a time and not go broke. I just recently did five different shade gardens with plants purchased from several orders this past spring. All are doing fabulous even though we had the hottest July on record and abnormally dry conditions. I'm lucky enough to live in one of the parts of Indiana that hasn't been experiencing the extreme drought conditions. I hope this company thrives and lives just as well as the plants they sell! Thank you!

I miss the old Bluestone. They used to be, in my experience, been the best mail-order company around. Good selection, healthy plants, and unbeatable prices. They changed all that a couple of years ago, and it's a much less appealing source now. First, they tripled their prices. Sure, they upped the size of their plants, but I think few of their regular customers appreciated the trade-off. Second, the put their plants in "biodegradable cocopots." I am not sure about how well these degrade, but I urge you to NEVER PLANT THEM DIRECTLY IN THE GROUND. Most of the plants I tried this with last year are still relegated to that little 4" x 4" space. A very few were able to grow through it, but I will never plant it directly again. Now I'm left with the choice of digging the plants up, thereby disturbing their growth, or watching them be small for however many years it takes for the cocopots to disappear. Sure, you can cut the pot and remove the plant, but this is much more likely to damage the roots than removal from a plastic pot.

In general their plants still come in decent shape, but some of this spring's shipment are a little questionable. Time will tell.

Why oh why did they have to make these unfortunate changes?????

I have been ordering from Bluestone for many years and have always been very well pleased with my orders. Will continue to do so in the future.

I emailed them and to date have received no reply. I informed them that my Armeria rubrifolias arrived very dry, many buds, very dry, foliage next to the coir collar brown. I finally removed the coir collars, have watered them daily, they may or may not survive. The next order came shortly after. Planting mix bone dry.
I compared their geranium phaeum "Samobor" with another vendor's I received same time. Bluestone's is yellowed, small- leaved. Magic Garden Store's is large, green, gorgeous shape. I won't buy from Bluestone again.

"On May 28, 2013 11:12 AM, Bluestone Perennials responded with:

Hello ferncrazy, I have checked into this with our office manager and I am glad to hear you are in direct correspondence with us as we resolve the situation. I apologize that we were not able to answer emails over the holiday weekend."

I have been ordering from Bluestone since 2009 and I have to admit that last year I was a bit disappointed with the size of the plants. All but 2 made it through the winter. I placed another order this year for some perennials I could not find locally and they arrived today. I was extremely happy. I ordered 16 plants and all 16 arrived in excellent condition. I think they were the largest plants I have ever received from Bluestone and everything looked healthy. I thankfully got all of them planted before the rain came and I look forward to them blooming later in the summer. I was so impressed by the high quality of Bluestones plants this year that I am placing another order tonight. Thank you Bluestone!

Posted on December 19, 2007, updated May 14, 2013
Bluestone is fabulous! They sent me a replacement order this past September for cyclamen that did not grow; unfortunately I never received it (I think someone took it out of my mailbox), and they credited my account immediately. Awesome.

Ordered perennials this year. Bigger pots, which I like,and the plants look great. The achillea are huge. Like the fiber pots as I can put them straight in the ground. Have ordered from them before and will continue to do so. I've never had a problem with a plant from them.

Posted on February 12, 2012, updated May 8, 2013
Posted on April 9, 2004, updated February 12, 2012
Last summer I ordered a couple of sale plants from Bluestone, and they arrived quickly and in great shape. Even though planted in June, they bloomed throughout the summer, and are getting ready to bloom now.

This year I ordered a few more things: daisies, ornamental grass, lobelia and a hosta, and they arrived exactly when I asked them to and in great shape. The plants promise to do as well as last year's sale plants. I would definitely order from Bluestone again.

I purchased several perennials. They were planted in coir pots that could just be planted, pot and all. The packaging was corrugated. Not a plastic pot or styrofoam packing peanut i sight. Thanks so much, Bluestone, for your environmentally sound materials.

Posted on November 26, 2001, updated May 7, 2013
Plants are rather small, but very vigorous growers, and great prices. Nice selection of perennial plants.

I needed many plants this year, ordered from Totally Tomato, Bluestone perennials, NH hostas, American Meadows, Classy Groundcovers, & Dans Dahlias. I will comment on each site as the orders come in.
My largest order, I ordered 56 perennials in 2 orders from bluestone.(first time ordering with Bluestone)
start with I found their website and catalog to be better than average. packaging is outstanding, some plants did dry a bit in the 3 Days shipping, coco pots i find a plus, plants for the most part came in good condition, my Pulmonaria i need to keep an eye on right now (transplant shock maybe?). orders over $75 you receive a free plant but this can be missed on their website and they will not inform you that you missed it. after missing it the first order i e-mailed about this and a quick responds and my free plant was in the order, some time later i put in a second order
and watched to where i put in for the free plant. ordered the plant
but i didnt feel it recorded on the website and when the order came in i found that to be true. i found this to be minor and didnt bother bluestone about it but it may be an issue with others at Dave's garden.
all in all a good experience with Bluestone.

I've had 2 seasons and over 50 plants now from Bluestone, and my experiences have all been positive. In fact, I have come to prefer them over any other online vendor. The coco pots are genius, especially for some of the more fragile perennials. For the first time, I was able to successfully grow lupines and delphiniums - and they came back this spring in zone 6. I planted several perennials in the fall, and they too returned. Customer service is excellent - friendly, prompt and helpful. I wanted to add some plants to my order after placing it and although it was too late, they offered to send me the plants with no extra shipping costs. Selection is also excellent. I highly recommend.

I ordered 18 plants. They all arrived healthy and well rooted. Their pots are larger and deeper that standard. I highly recommend this company.

I ordered a clematis "Royalty" a year and a half ago, and it died. Bluestone sent me a replacement last spring, and the poor thing is struggling so badly, I almost want to put it out of its misery. It is still less than 6 inches tall. Meanwhile, the clematis I ordered from Brushwood Nursery grows like a weed every year. I am done with Bluestone - their quality is just not as good as it used to be.

"On Apr 9, 2013 9:29 AM, Bluestone Perennials responded with:

We are so sorry to hear that neither of the Clematis Royalty that we sent did well for you. If you would be in touch directly, we can refund your money, or send any other plant selection of your choice. We would like the opportunity to regain your trust. Please give us the chance to do so? 1-800-852-5243 or helpdesk@bluestoneperennials.com

I ordered three plants: 1 Clematis & 2 Hydrangias. They arrived healthy & well-packed. The pots might have been a bit small (maybe 3" size) but each plant was tall & had strong stems. I liked that the pots were obviously bio-degradable - I can plant the pot & all - a nice touch. They have a beautiful catalogue which is a little confusing to use at first, but the plants that arrived matched the healthy look of their pictures. One additional note: the clematis I ordered is one for which I had been searching for over 15 years! The costs were reasonable. I will buy from them again & recommend this nursery to others.

I recently purchased a number of perennials from Bluestone Perennials. The plants received were meticulously packed with excellent usage of green materials. The coco pots are not only green + functional but they ensure the consumer never receives rootbound plants from Bluestone as the Coco pots are so highly biodegradeable that the likelihood they will last for any appreciable amount of time is almost impossible. Having a fairly new property, the time savings in being able to simply dig a small hole and plant - pot and all is a real consumer pleaser. I give Bluestone Perennials two enthusiastic thumbs up. Everything about the company oozes quality! Gary from Lewes, Delaware

I am giving them a positive review because:
1. Plants came in ahead of schedule.
2. Plants were in great shape.
3. Potting was excellent with the new packaging they use.

The only thing that could have been better was the size of the plants. There was lots of headspace in the boxes so I was thinking the plants would have had plenty of room to be bigger. That being said, I realize that it is April and the plants have not had that much time to mature.

All in all a great mail order experience and would order from them anytime.

Posted on June 3, 2008, updated March 24, 2013
I have ordered from this company three times now. I have always been satisfied with their plants. They've all grown well and most have bloomed the first year. None of their plants have ever died on me either, except for the one that the cute little chipmunk chewed off. Oh well!!! This is good company. I will certainly order from them again.