Gardening Catalog Survey Results

By Kay Ferrill, KCMGA (P)

A survey form was available at our last meeting to see which gardening catalogs were most valued by our members and which were not. There was a surprising range of catalogs. Plant Delights received the most responses to “which catalogs do you like best.” Gardener’s Supply, White Flower Farm and Park Seeds also received multiple mentions. Other catalogs included Andre Viette’s Nursery, Van Engelen Bulbs, Carroll Gardens, Thompson & Morgan Seed, Enchanters Garden, Gardener’s Eden, Kinsman, Charleston Gardens, Bluestone Perennials, Wayside Gardens, Lee Valley Tools and Klehm’s Song Sparrow Perennial Farm.

Catalogs serve many purposes. The beautiful pictures both delight and tempt us with fresh ideas. Some catalogs, such as Wayside, Park Seed and Klehm’s, provide thorough descriptions of the plant, its bloom, and its needs. While nurseries often feature a few choices of many varieties of plants, catalogs can offer many choices of a few varieties. Bluestone and Klehm’s particularly offer depth of selection. Where else could you find more than 50 varieties of hosta! Enchanter’s Garden specializes in native plants. Kinsman and Gardner’s Eden both were mentioned for their gardening equipment and accessories. Of course good plants at good prices are always a paramount concern. Plant Delights and Lee Valley were noted for their quality and value.

Some companies do disappoint. When asked which were liked least, gardeners offered Michigan Bulb, Gurney and Spring Hill as having provided poorer quality plants and bulbs. Wayside and White Flower, while appreciated for other reasons, were cited as expensive.

When catalog shopping, be sure you understand the company’s substitution service and guarantee policy. Many companies will only ship at the appropriate planting time for your zone. Your garden should be prepared before the arrival of your plants. Any mistakes or problems with your order should be reported as soon as possible.

One problem you may not have considered is the reliability of the business you’re trading with. Gurney’s parent company, Foster and Gallagher, filed for bankruptcy July 4, 2001. If a company has cashed your check before going out of business, you will have a long wait at best, possibly a total loss. Foster and Gallagher also own Spring Hill, Michigan Bulbs, and Breck’s Bulbs.

Two internet sites provide assistance to the armchair shopper. The Plants By Mail FAQ, maintained by Joe Robinson since 1995, is available at http://pbmfaq.dvol.com/ and provides a forum for comments about mail-order companies and their business relationships. Did you know that Park Seed owns Wayside Gardens? Or that White Flower Farm owns Daffodil Mart and Shepherd’s Seeds? Does knowing change your expectations?

The Mailorder Gardening Association, at http://www.mailordergardening.com/,  offers a contact list of its members, a glossary of terms used in catalogs, smart shopper tips, and business information. For those who asked for catalogs, this would be an excellent starting place.