On January 2, 2012, steve_mass from Millbury, MA wrote:
This is an extensive nursery that has been in business for many many years. Their inventory is huge. They supply many of the local landscapers in the area. Still when I went looking for a Cornus Sericea 'Silver and Gold' last year they didn't have it. Seems like they have more of the "latest and greatest" than the old standbys.
I've bought Hostas from them before and have had several do quite well for me. However, on one trip last year I saw a group of Blue Cadet Hostas (not labeled) set aside in a sale area. These plants had obvious Hosta Virus X, but were being sold for $5 a piece. This is a knowledgeable nursery and they should know better than to sell diseased plants. I reported this to several people before speaking to someone who seemed to be an owner. The agreed to remove and destroy the plants.
I continue to buy from this nursery, but I'm very careful what I buy and make sure that the condition of the plants are excellent. I don't buy my Hostas there.
This is my all-time favorite nursery. The staff are helpful and friendly; it's obvious they love what they do. You can peruse their many horticultural books in the garden shop if you have questions about specific plants that you'd like to look up.
Nine out of ten times, I get exactly what I need the day I go, and if they don't have a plant in stock yet, they call me as soon as it arrives. They have an enormous selection of trees and shrubs, but make sure you wear mud proof shoes if it's been raining and you want to go way out back where the larger B&B plants are stored.
I searched high and low last year for kalmia angustifolia, and they had it, just not on site. But they provided excellent customer service by having their truck deliver it to me from one of their other locations, while I waited at the nursery in Northboro.
They have a great selection of perennials, and some of the best shrubs around, including a much coveted and hard-to-find Mariesii lacecap hydrangea this spring.
And their guarantee is solid. One of the plants I purchased last spring was not doing well in the fall. I took a photograph of it and went to the nursery with my receipt. They replaced the shrub, no questions asked.
I will always to to Bigelow Nurseries first and only visit other nurseries if I need something specific and they cannot get it.
