Good job, Al. I'm in a bit of a ranting mood today (meds?) so they are probably lucky that they didn't get it from me. I told them last year that I would never purchase live plants from them again and that the only reason they got some of my seed order was because of the credit.

Hey, Al, what did you order? Inquiring minds want to know?

I'm really, really wanting to simplify my life and order from just one source this year. Any bets on whether or not I can do it? lol

Shauna

Oh man! Did they just do that or am I completely blind! I better call them cause I sent myorder by mail. Thanks for the heads up Shelley. I was really looking forward to that order :^(

OK Shauna this is what I ordered from William Dam this morning. There is nothing really fancy about the order but here goes anyway:

Red and white Alyssum
Wizard mix Coleus
Kontiki Gazania
Earthwalker Sunflower
Pansy Nature Mulbery Shades
Petunia Chrystal mix
Rudbekia Toto mix
Verbena Ideal Florist mix
Nemesia Carnival mix -this is a favorite and is the only place I can find it now as Vessys stopped carrying it.
Convolvulus Royal Ensign
Godetia Azalia Flowered
Portulaca Double mix
Thunbergia Black eyed Susan

I also wanted the Tango lily 'Dot Com' but it is not available yet or they are already sold out. I will keep checking in with them and see if they get some in stock.

Cheers Al

Well, I am really restraining myself this year. No more going nuts ordering things. If hubby gives me $500 to spend again for my birthday I'm going to save it and get topsoil in the spring. All my flowerbeds are full and have no more room for anything. Not even annuals. So before I buy stuff I am going to dig lots of new flowerbeds. Well, I am going to order a few things from the local nursery. I have 'her' ordering catalogue and am allowed to choose what I want. So far I have restrained myself and am only ordering forthysia 'Northern Gold' and Lilac 'Miss Canada". There are a lot more things I like and may change my mind and get them too but I really need to restrain myself. My health isn't the greatest and I don't know how long it will take to put new beds in. That is alot of large rocks to bring home never mind mixing topsoil and manure. It is going to be lots of work and I need to do that before I buy or start more plants.

So do I sound convincing? I'm trying to convince myself. Don't know if it working yet or not.

Syreeta

Syreeta, maybe you and I can commiserate together and support each other. I'm facing another knee surgery in May or June which will make it virtually impossible to get everything in, unless we have a really good spring and I'm right on top of everything. So, I'll be keeping it pretty light this year, too. But, I may put in one small order of seeds. I've got quite a few of my own seeds and quite a few of different things from the last couple of years of ordering. So, if my germination is down a bit, oh well.

Nice order, Al. I love the Nemesia 'Carnival Mix'. Thanks for the tip on where to get it. Do you start your Convolvulus early or direct sow it? I haven't had much luck getting it to germinate early but when I direct sow it, it comes up. But, I'd like it to flower for a longer period of time, so I'd like to get it going earlier.

Shauna

Shauna I have never grown Convolvulus so it will be an experiment in getting it to grow. I probably will not winter sow it as I try to do most of my growing inside under lights.

Bye the way I got a reply back from T&T and it goes as follows:

Sorry for trouble--we are working on a new site--not sure where you
had the trouble. We receive many a day without any trouble.
T & T

Maybe with a new website it will work better. If I remember corrrectly I think that I ordered from them on my old computer. We have since upgraded to a new one with XP and maybe the sofware in their site is not supported by XP.
Who knows!!!

Cheers Al

Al, I'm not sure why you can't order on line with T&T Seeds, I just placed a small order the other day with no promblo.

Valley K Greenhouse (plantlilies.com) have Dot Com in stock, service is good and quality of bulbs is excellent. PS, you can save by ordering on line too ;)

Here is a link that might be useful: Valley K / Plant Lilies

I just noticed that Botanus website is up and running for 2007 orders, ohh, ohhh ;)

Sharon

Here is a link that might be useful: Botanus

Botanus catalogues started going out this past Friday. How do I know? I ALREADY ORDERED and the nice lady said so! And my eyes are crossed now :^(
I was late last year and missed out on a few things, so that's not happening this year.

I thought they had a white columbine last year (Dove, I think it was called), but I don't see it this year. Am I imagining that? I might be confusing it with the white bleeding heart, though.

Thanks for the feedback on planting, Sierra.

Sharon, thanks for the link to Valley K. I just ordered 'dotcom' and 'landini'. I like Valley K better because the sell the bulbs singly which makes them cheaper and I don't have to find a place in my garden for the extra bulbs.

Thanks

Cheers Al

I got my Botanus and William Dam catalogues on Monday.

I emailed Wendy at Botanus to ask when how early they could ship, bulbs that I wanted to start indoors early.
She responded VERY quickly. They start shipping to warmer zones in april....so if a cold zoner requests, they will watch the weather and ship when they can.

Great customer service already, so I am going to try it and hope for the best with the weather. They are just trying to ensure plants arrive .....not frozen.

I ordered from them in the fall.....and was happy with my order when it arrived. The amaryllis had two flower stems. :-)

And now........I have to have that champagne begonia.....LOL!

Sierra

Sierra, Wendy has always been so wonderful to me too. I had a mislabeled Lady Alice lily last season and she said she will send out the right one this season. Always fast and friendly with any problems that may arise.

Yes, that Champagne looks like a keeper ;)

You're welcome Al, ValleyK spring selections are often limited and consist mainly of dutch-bred imports, their Fall website typically contains 200+ varieties of lilies including EXCLUSIVE varieties and many Canadian bred hybrids, so make sure you bookmark and check back with them in the Fall too ;)

Sharon

Happened to go to Costco.ca - 100 named lilies for $75, shipping included.

Here is a link that might be useful: lilies at Costco

Looking a little closer at those lilies in the Costco selection, the Samur are LA hybrids, and aside from the Stargazer it looks like the rest are Asiatic. I can't find much for hits on the Madrid though.

Thats a good price for lilies Pudge!

Nice plants Brenda....here's what I'm ordering from McFayden,
Orienpet Lily Red Dutch (2)
Asiatic Lily Orange Electric (2)
Dahlia Striped Ambition
Dahlia Cactus Bora Bora
Dahlia Chic en rouge

Sharon

Sharon, any idea how hardy the Red Dutch OP lily is suposed to be? I know I picked up some OA's last fall and I am hoping that with the mulching I did last fall that they will make it through our Canadian winter.

Brenda

Brenda, I bought Red Dutch from the Lily Nook last spring - it was the one that never sprouted. When I moved in the fall I dug it up, and it was as big as my fist and perfectly healthy looking. Hopefully it will put in an appearance this spring. They are supposed to be hardy enough with a little mulching help.

Gil, my Boogie Woogie sulked in its first year too, but in its second year it put on a grand show.

Yes Brenda, they are hardy if you mulch them good and its also best to plant them in the spring a little deeper than usual.

There is a good article at Valley K about ORIENPETS.

I bought some more in the spring and some in the fall of last year; I will let you know how they do.

Sharon

Here is a link that might be useful: ORIENPETS

Well Al, Marcia and Shauna, I will never order from T&T Seeds ever again!

I am mad!

I had ordered pellet Cyperus eragrostis ÂWind Dancer ornamental grass seed and every pellet was crushed into a fine dust-like powder. I wrote them an email to put in a complaint and they "Brian" would not replace the product that I was NOT happy with. They absolutely do not abide with their policy guarantee stated in their catalogue and obviously do not care about customer satisfaction.

He kept saying that the seed will still germinate. Yes it probably will, however I ordered and paid for pelleted seed at a costly price for 15 seeds and for a good reason, it makes the handling of the seed much easier which I prefer. I can take my tweezers and place the pelleted seed exactly where I want them to germinate. If I wanted raw seed I would of ordered elsewhere. Most companies that sell pelleted seed will send them in those little plastic vials to prevent crushing.

This has not been the first time IÂve had problems with this company, a couple of years ago they sent dead rotted potted plants, yes they did give me a credit but its still very disappointing when you have your heart on something youÂve ordered and that you wanted so badly for your garden and ended up receiving nothing but lifeless plants!

And a few years ago, I had ordered many lily bulbs which ½ of them came rotted and moldy.

There are other seed/plant companies that will fulfill customer satisfaction and much, much better quality than this company.

I told him to take me off the mailing list and do not send me any further catalogues in the future.

Sharon

You have every right to be angry. That's terrible service! I know I had ordered plants from them way back, and wasn't very impressed with their condition and size, so I've never ordered live plants from them again. But I thought seeds would be safe enough, but I guess not.

Hi Sharon,

Crushed pellets are a common thing. Especially when I buy seed here locally. They tell you to make sure you plant all the powder, because the seed are in there and will still grow. And ya more and more companies are using the vials now, so this doesn't happen. Last year my tidal wave petunias had all crushed pellets. Its disappointing but at least the plants will still grow.

Maybe now that they know, they will pack the pellets in vials next year.

The only thing I have started now is pampus grass, so I haven't run into this yet this year. I did notice that the petunia seed was in vials this year though....but I bought them from a different place than last year.

Sierra

Hi There
Check this outÂhere is (was) a copy of my
T & T 2007 Order
SEEDS
Pg. 3
A165 Cosmos  Double Click 25/3.95
B123 Coleus  Wizard Coral Sunrise 50/2.25
Pg. 24
A44 Amaranthus  Early Splendor 50/1.95
A42 " - Aurora ?/1.95
Pg. 26
A115 Celosia  Kosmo Purple Red 15/4.95
B119 Coleus  Kong Mosaic 10/3.95
Pg. 27
B34 Dichondra  Emerald Falls 10/3.95 Âso called Pelleted Seed?
B33 " - Silver Falls "
Pg. 29 Â B192 Wind Dancer Love Grass 15/4.95 oh oh!!
Pg. 33  A425 Phlox  Grammy Pink/White 25/2.95
Pg. 38  A650 Zinnia  Zowie Yellow Flame 15/4.75

AND

I was also planning to do part of a new garden with the following so called "live" plantsÂ
Was also looking for any input/advise/experiences anyone has had with any of these plants as well. :)

Pg. 61
8576 Centre Glow Ninebark 12.95
8575 Endless Summer Hydrangea $$$ 29.95 yikes! Would I ever be mad if this one arrived ½ dead for that price!
8573 Tiger Eyes Sumac 1/16.95
8325 Smokebush Royal Purple 1/12.95
Pg. 65 - 8059 Cherry  Sk Crimson Passion 12.95
Pg. 80  8325 Smokebush  Royal Purple 12.95
Probably a couple of RosesÂ

With, would you believe, these as well!!
Pg. 53
7004  Asclepias  Soul Mate 4.50
7086  Hens & Chicks  Purple Beauty 4.50
7087  Polygonatum  Variegated4.50
Pg. 55
7020 Gaillardia  Fanfare 7.95
7063 Iris  Lorilee 5.95
7155 Echinacea Collecton  Sunrise, Harvest Moon, Sundown 3/29.95
Pg. 62 Potentilla  Pink Beauty 5/19.95

OhhhÂ.. and probably a few more just for a laugh. I was planning to spend the bulk of my plant budget for the year with this company!! Thought that since they were in Winnipeg, that they would have fairly hardy and healthy plants.
Way to burst my bubble! Just kidding of course. I really appreciate the time you all take to post your experiences with different companies. But, no seriouslyÂNOW what am I gonna do?? I hate having to make a new plan! You knowÂwhen you can already see it in your mind looking so beautiful and blooming. Oh well, back to the drawing board I go.
Thanks again for the heads-up Sharon and othersÂwould rather make a new plan now than be disappointed next summer. Did I mention that I hate having to make a new planÂ.

Kelly

P.S. Marcia, last summer was awesome! Saw your post on the exchange. IÂm working sending you an update with some pictures soon! CanÂt wait till you see it next spring?

Kelly that's quite a list! Lots of lovely things on there too.

I too fell in love with the pictures of Endless Summer Hydraneas I saw, and tried one 2 years ago. It was deader than a door nail the next spring. I mulched it well in the fall, and it had loads of snow cover too. You're in a bit of a warmer zone than I am, so maybe it would do better for you there. Do you have any nurseries close by you? I picked mine up at a nursery in Brandon, and I'm pretty sure that I paid around the $15 mark for it. I may have gotten it on sale though, because it was in the "hobby" gardening section and it was mid summer when I got it. I'm pretty sure I've seen it also at the box stores for cheaper than $30 too.

On the other hand, I've had a smokebush for a few years and it does ok. I've got it in a very protected spot on the south side of the house though. Don't expect it to bloom, because it'll probably die down every year, like mine does, and it only blooms on old wood. But the leaves are very nice on it anyway, and it's worth having just for that.

Good luck with your planning.
Laurie

Kelly, I would phone and cancel all the live plants, get the seeds if theyÂre not pelleted. Take your hard earned money and buy live plants in person at a reputable nursery. IsnÂt there one called Shelmerdine in Manitoba, I believe they have a website? Even your local Home Hardware, Home Depot will have big healthy plants to choose from.

For IrisÂs buy from Chuck
http://chapmaniris.com/
Awesome selection to choose from!

Gaillardia ÂFanfare was one of the plants that I too ordered from T&T, it came dead as a doorknob in such a little pot! IÂm hoping I will see this plant at Holes Greenhouse in Edmonton this spring, I really want this in my garden too ;)

If you do keep the order, make sure you keep all receipts, order numbers, etc.

Good luck!
Sharon

Doh, I'm sorry Kelly, I thought you were from Manitoba, must of been looking at Laurie's profile. I guess shopping in person at Shelmerdine is a far drive for you ;)

Sharon

Shelmerdine's is a beautiful nursery but quite pricey. There's another one called Schreimer's that I like better. And Shelmerdine's is where I got that god awful mislabeled 'Edge of Darkness' DL that was peach coloured. Anyway in NWO you maybe don't get into Wpg all that much.

I got an e-mail just now from Stokes that my seed order has been SHIPPED! Wow, they're fast, I only ordered on Monday.

There are several great nurseries in Thunder Bay and since it's zone 4 (right on the lake like that), i think Kelly could find a hydrangea somewhere there.

No, Kelly, i can't wait till spring to see your yard! LOL Have you been in touch with Gale at all? I haven't heard from her or Dannie all winter.

I'd better get on the ball with ordering. Several things have combined to make me less than enthusiastic right now, but i think i'll overcome that. :) The seeds from the group trade Kelly and i are in should be here tomorrow or Friday. When i see what comes, i can redo my lists and get them out.

While i haven't had a really bad experience with T&T, i won't order from them just on principle, after the lousy experiences and customer service Sharon and others have received. There are a lot more companies out there who are eager to please!

What about plants/shrubs from Dominion? I have a friend who always seems rather pleased about what she gets from there. Kelly's variety and wish to order from one place might be satisfied with Dominion who carry much of what she's wanting. They don't have Endless Summer Hydrangea, but do have one called Early Sensation that they say is hardier and will bloom on new wood as well as wood from the previous year.

Hmm, I was still holding off on a Vesey's order, but maybe I'll order from Dominion instead, and add a few things, hehe.

Stokes is very fast, and I love their ordering/emailing system letting you know everything (order received/order being processed/order shipped). I got my order over a week ago - not easy looking at all those seeds and wanting to get them started but knowing its waaayyy too soon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dominion Seed House

Al...I have had the same problem ordering from T&T. Last year I mailed my order to them and sent a letter. At the bottom of my seed invoice they wrote "Sorry, our site needs to use cookies. We are rebuilding site for next year and will try and correct that." I still can't order from them on-line this year either....sooo I sent it in the mail....again!

I had no trouble until we installed Windows XP...our browser obviously doesn't allow Cookies or Pop-ups, but it's frustrating when I can order anything from anywhere else and have no trouble.....they should get the message when I print the on-line order and attach it to their catalogue order form instead of doing all that writing!

Betty

Hi all,

I just wanted to add, that I thought I made a mistake on my William Dam order.....so I emailed them.

It took a day or two for them to respond....I am assuming because they had to look my order up and check for my mistake. LOL. I got a nice reply telling me my order will be shipped early next week. I have never ordered from them before, but I am happy with their customer service so far. :-)

I have ordered from Dominion before...they aren't perfect but I am ordering from them again this year.......Well as soon as I decide, what I want. LOL!!!! I keep changing my mind.

Now a question.
Has anyone ordered from Lindenberg? I have been getting the newspaper print catalogue from them for a couple years now....but haven't tried ordering from them. So wondering if anyone has tried them???

Sierra

I ordered from Lindenberg last spring. I was quite happy with everything that I had received. I even ordered live plants and found that theirs are better than most other mail order catalogues.

Last year I ordered live plants from Dominion. Never again. I even wrote them and told them that I would never order live plants from them again. I'll still order seeds from them.

Botanus is my favorite place to order live plants from. My list is well over $200 yet. I still need to cross more off the list. But what??????

I haven't ordered from any catalogues as of yet. I'll finalize everything this weekend. My lists are way too big. But I have to get them off soon. Some seeds need to be planted soon.

I've ordered live plants from Lindenberg's before and have been happy too. The ones I got were small, but were alive.

I just got a Lindenberg the other day. Definately are some intriguing plant and seed varieties in there. The yellow and yellow/pink columbines especially...hmmmmm.

Does anyone know of a good iris supplier? Most of the regular seed/plant catalogues I've been getting don't seem to have much of an iris selection. Thanks.

I'll add my kudos to William Dam, too. I've only ordered seeds from them but service seems to be good and I like their catalogue. They always have early varieties of veggies and mark them so they're easy to pick out and make a decision.

For IrisÂs buy from Chuck
Awesome selection to choose from!

Although he doesn't ship out Irises in the spring.

Orders for Bearded Iris will be shipped from late July until the end of August and orders for Beardless Iris are shipped in September.

Sharon

Here is a link that might be useful: Chapman Iris

Toots also check out the Northern Lights Iris Society, they have a annual rhizome sale every year.

Check out the Yahoo group.

Here is a link that might be useful: Northern Lights Iris Group

I second the vote for Chapman Irises. He sends out the rhizomes early enough in the season (late July-through August) so that they have a good chance to root before fall. (As long as the deer don't dig them up. Grrrrr.) I never had luck buying rhizomes from garden centres in Sept.

'Garden Bride' was sent to me as a bonus, and became a fast favourite.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:777842}}

I was very happy with my irises from Chapmans too. I have to bring them home this spring, I ordered them just before I sold my house so they got planted at my Mom's when they arrived. I hope 2 moves won't set them back too much. I got 'Garden Bride' as a bonus too Doris, also 'Summoned Spirit'.

Oh that's great, thanks all! That is some serious eyecandy!

Thanks for the info on Lindenberg. Hmmmm I think I might just order from them, instead of Dominion now.......I had better decide quick. LOL!

Sierra

I have ordered shrubs and perennials from Dominion. They are a bit pricey and 4-1/2 inch pots (though I guess larger pots would cost a fortune to ship). Sometimes they surprise me and the shrubs are actually a decent size for the pot.

As for perennials, if the description says "size: 1 root" I won't order it but if it says "size: 4 inch pot" I might. I've just received too many dried out roots wrapped in peatmoss. It's obvious these mail order places don't personally inspect every root before shipping. I have had a bit better luck when I order perennials that are "potted" as they are usually already growing (but not always).

My beef is that all plants, shrub or perennial, seem to arrive rather dry, but I don't know if they don't water them before shipping, or if the plants just dry out that quickly. Maybe wet means more weight and more cost to ship?

Dominion is usually pretty good with credits for items, if it's rated for your zone. My only beef is (and I guess all companies are like this), when you order online they immediately charge your credit card for the full amount so that leads you to think you'll receive everything you ordered. Then, in May at shipping time you get a credit note for plants they are unable to supply. Had you known sooner you could have ordered other items. Plus, I hate having to hold onto credit notes until next year to use them.

Sierra, I found Lindenberg's online catalogue, but it looks like its not ready for 2007 season yet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lindenberg Seeds Ltd.

Ya, I noticed that their web site wasn't ready for 2007.

I have a small credit for Dominion....So I'll probably place a small order there...then just wait and see if anything interesting shows up in the local nurserys and Wal-mart. I really don't need anymore plants. LOL!!!

Sierra

I received Bluestem's catalogue the other day. I see they are carrying Calamagrostis Avalanche this year so I will be ordering that one for sure! And Carex Ice Fountains. And probably a Miscanthus or two to test for hardiness.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bluestem

Pudge, I managed to find 'Avalanche' last year at Holes Greenhouse, I'm hoping it will put on some growth this year ;)

Hey, have any of you received your William Dam Seed orders in yet?

Sharon

No William Dam seed order here yet!!! I read in another thread that they were still packaging seed a week or so ago and were to start sending seed this week. I hope!!!!!

Cheers Al

Thanks Al, I wish they would hurry up, I have to get my Fountain Grass sowed soon ;)

Sharon

Sharon, I got my William Dam seed order last week. Recieved everything I ordered......and the seed packets are sooooo pretty!

Sierra

Marcia, did you get your William order in yet?

I placed an order with Botanus for more lilies, yes, there is always more room for lilies ;)

Crocosmia 'Lucifer' (8)
Hemerocallis 'Stella D'oro' (free)
Hosta 'Golden Tiara' (free)
Lilium Asiatic Lily 'Sorbet' (5)
Lilium Asiatic Lily 'Toronto' (2) (free)
Lilium Asiatic Pot Lily 'Pink Pixie' (5)
Lilium Oriental Trumpet Lily 'Altari' (2)
Lilium Oriental Trumpet Lily 'Touching' (2)
Lilium pumilum
Lilium regale Trumpet (2)
Lilium Lady Alice Trumpet (replacement from last year)
Lilium lancifolium Tiger Lily White (2)

Here is a link that might be useful: Botanus

Okay Sharon, I have a confession. LOL!!!
These are the lilies I picked up at Costco last week.

9 Bahia Blanca
9 Expressions together in one bag and labeled
7 Angelique
7 Rodolfa together in a bag and labeled
18 star gazers one bag
9 muscadet
9 kissproof together in one bag labeled

All the above are orientals, From experience the orientals do very well in my garden

10 Amarone Asiatic lilies
10 Suncrest LA hybrids together in one bag.

These I potted up, because they were starting to grow.

I didn't see any species lilies there this year...with the exception of some trumpets.

I also planted several lilies last fall....so looking forward to seeing those new this year.

Sierra ;-)

Yes, the seeds came in on Monday and i just realized that i somehow missed ordering thyme. It was on my list but it didn't make it on to my order. Well, hopefully there are some seeds around in the stores in Dryden. Laurie sent me some thyme last year, but i thought i'd start some more for different areas where i have stepping stones. Oh well.