Mail order plants: Rare Find Nursery and Old House Gardens

I only ordered two plants each from Rare Find Nursery and Old House Gardens, so I've combined my reviews into one post. Links to reviews of my earlier purchases from other mail ordered nurseries are at the end of this post.

Old House Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI

I've ordered from OHG and written about them so many times that they are actually in my category list. I love their bulbs and all the history and stories behind them. But this is the first time I ordered anything for spring delivery. Again, I got an email with shipping and tracking info. This order came via the US Postal Service and arrived on schedule and in great shape. 

As with each of my prior deliveries, the order form was on top so I could double check my order if I needed to. This was such a small order that I did not need to do that. But I looked at the paperwork anyway because Scott Kunst, the plantsman behind OHG, always writes me a note on my order form. This time was no exception.

But what is important to point out is that there were bright purple info sheets stapled to the order where you could not miss their messages: Replant your daylilies and true lilies ASAP and replant your iris TODAY! Since I bought three iris plants (Iris florentina) I did just that — and it started raining on me while I worked. So I felt very virtuous. 

As for the item you can see in the box, I decided to dip my toe into the Dahlia water and ordered one Dahlia bulb, 'Cafe au Lait.' So, after planting the Iris I settled in to read the Dahlia instructions. The printed information was very complete and it also lists lots of links to more specific details on the OHG website. 

One last bit of info: I receive a discount on my orders from OHG as a professional garden writer. That said, I continue to order from them each year because I love what they offer and have been very satisfied with all my purchases.

. . .

Rare Find Nursery, Jackson, NJ

I'm not sure how I discovered this nursery — it may have been in a Google search for unusual plants — but I'm very glad I did. They have some fabulous trees and shrubs but I limited myself to two since they were an unknown quantity to me. But my first sight of the delivery box encouraged me. Then I got giddy when I opened it and saw what was inside.

These are a pair of bare root shrubs that have big root balls wrapped in plastic bags. Those weighty bases were taped and tied into place and did not appear to have moved during their trip from the East coast. The flexible new top growth was lightly bent to fit into the container. The paperwork included good information on planting and care for my new shrubs.

Look at these beauties. The larger plant is Hamamelis virginiana 'Green Thumb' which they sold in different sizes. I decided to order the largest one which came in a 3 gal. pot and was described as a 3-4' plant. This is a Witch Hazel with a variegated leaf and with the root ball measures 55" tall. It's shorter companion is Hamamelis vernalis 'Quasimodo'. I opted for the plant that came in a 2 gal. pot and was listed as being an 18-24" plant. With it's root ball it measures 28" tall.

Clearly these are exactly as described and worth the price ($55.00 each). They will each make an immediate statement in the garden. I am so happy with these two shrubs that I will have a hard time being so restrained when I visit the Rare Find website in the future. 

 Odyssey Perennials / Massachusetts

Far Reaches Farm, Port Townsend, WA

Plant Delights Nursery, Raleigh, NC 

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

The witchhazels do look fab. No wonder you were excited.

[Loree / danger garden]

I've read fabulous things about Rare Find Nursery, good to know their shipping practices are equally good.

[Erin @ The Impatient Gardener]

Nice plants there! I bought my 'Venus' dogwood from Rare Find a few years ago (before anyone here had heard of them) and they went above and beyond to find one for me of a size they would normally not ship. It was an excellent experience.

In the past week I've had three nursery deliveries! I'm going to have to hurry up on the reviews.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

I've never ordered from them. I'll have to check out their website. Those Witch Hazels look very healthy.

[Kevin]

Very cool. I'd love to see a picture tour of the garden. Showcasing certain areas in a broader sense. I'd also love to see progress on the weeping willow. Regardless, I love seeing your garden. Thank u for sharing it.

[Linda from Each Little World]

I have to say I was totally impressed with Rare Find Nursery. I got the smaller Witch Hazel planted within a week of it arriving and the second one perhaps a week later. Cold weather, rain and a sick gardener put me a bit behind on planting. But both have settled in beautifully at this point.

[Peter/Outlaw]

I've not ordered from either of these nurseries. Web shopping for plants is dangerous for me as it's so easy to put extra things in the cart.