Charles Alford Plants

I have been ordering plants from Charles for several years now. Every plant that I have ordered has exceeded my highest expectations. Considering the rarity and quality of the plants, his pricing is extremely reasonable. Charles will confirm your order and even send another email at the time the plants ships. Orders do not take long and the plants are always stunning specimens. Many of the plants are challenging to grow and require a dedicated plant enthusiast. This is what makes growing these rare plants so rewarding. Thank you Charles for sharing these amazing plants.

Just got my new fern in the mail today from Charles Alford. It was love at first sight. Beautiful little guy!! I've been growing Platycerium mostly but love all ferns. I have bought from Charles Alford Plants numerous times and have never been disappointed in his plants nor his prompt service. He always sends a form to fill out but his stuff sells so fast, I just pick up the phone and call him. I recommend you do the same. Another reason to call is he knows where to plant his offerings. He's an awesome guy and really knows his plants very well.

This email is my first contact with "Daves Garden" about anything. I have been ordering from Mr. Alford for 20 years or more. I have been collecting staghorns since the '70's and Charles is my go to person. Charles is an amazing asset to the world of ferns. Mr. Alford has always given credit to other growers including Jerry Horne, whom was also amazing.. He is always responsive to my phone calls when having a problem. He is happy to diagnose any problems that I have. I live in Houston, TX. I suck at ridlei and coronarium (and he warned me), but all else thrives here. His plant descriptions and growing issues are right on. Which is amazing given the wide range of growing areas of people which purchase his plants. Back in the 70's I ordered a number of stags from California and they all died. Houston is much closer to the climate in S. Florida. The plants seem to acclimatize more easily. I have now discovered that some plants are available on ebay from the far east. I would be very careful that these could acclimate to my area. Over all these years I have discovered that our resources for exotic plants is almost extinct (not just in Houston). Charle's offerings are very difficult to propagate and take years to become a saleable plant. I believe growers like Mr. Alford are doing this for the love of the plants, and hope any financial gain will cover the cost to reach the saleable plant size with a little profit. Thanks to him we have more options than pothos ivy. As conducive as our climate is for growing ferns, this really big metropolitan area has been reduced to a miniscule number of growers who are willing to spend the time to grow some of these exotic ferns. Leaving us to the mercy of Home Depot, Lowes, Houston Garden. Thank you Charles!!! I thank you every day when I look out the window and see the ferns I have purchased from you!!!

Awesome plants. Exactly as described. Actually better! Fast shipping and good communication. It took me 2 years of watching his offerings to order. Sorry I waited. Go Charles!

I am so very pleased with Charles Alford plants, I have been and continue to be an avid collector of beautiful, rare, and hard to find ferns and Charles Alford has some "beauties"!!! I am always looking forward to his offerings, he posts his current releases by email, so you must subscribe to his e-list , act fast, he sells out quickly, the plants are healthy, and hardy, he can coach you with growing tips if you need help, check him out at www.rareferns.com if you really want something special, Many Many Thanks Mr. Alford for growing these very fine plants, and offering them to us!

Charles Alford is legendary in the world of tropical plants. He sells very rare plants that are of excellent quality. I've purchased many and I would certainly buy more given the opportunity. I'm just glad he's willing to sell them to me from time to time!!!! A+++++ thumbs up! you name it!

Charles supplies rare ferns and Fern allies. This isn't a big box store supplier, but for Fern collectors. I've been dealing with him for years. All his plants have arrived in great shape, well packed for shipment. If this rating were on a "star basis," he'd be 5 stars (out of 5), maybe 6. Beyond the point-of-sale Charles is also glad to share his own experience in growing these plants. A wonderful source for the rare and unusual!

I have been a customer of Charles for 15 years and I have never been disappointed by his plants. I highly recommend him to those interested in growing unusual and challenging ferns and ornamentals.

Charles sells beautiful plants, reasonably priced, especially considering their rarity. I have ordered from him a number of times and always look forward to his offerings. He offers plants that are often unavailable anywhere else. They always come to me (very) healthy and meticulously packaged. Highly recommended, 5 star.

charles grows some wonderful plants. though a surprising number of them have died in the first 6 months, i have continued to order because many can be obtained nowhere else. this year, however, i had a most unpleasant experience. he misread my order and added a plant. out of respect for his good work, i paid for the extra plant. when he learned of his mistake, he attacked me repeatedly in a patronizing, disparaging, most unprofessional way because i hadn't "simply told him of his error." you may read this and think, that doesn't make sense. i agree entirely.

I totally agree with Tall Shadow ! Charles Alford is great when you are looking for something out of the ordinary. Danny

This business is on the internet at www.rareferns.com. You must request the plant list which will arrive quarterly by email. Most of the time these very rare ferns are grown from spores by Mr. Alford himself. This is the place to find exceedingly rare staghorn ferns as well as other epiphytic ferns. But don't expect to find common ferns on the list, these are truly rare. The list often has items never listed along with some that can be re-listed more often. Mr. Alford is a supplier to many Botanical Gardens. Many of the ferns he offers cannot be found anywhere else, at all. Everytime I have ordered, and the times are many, every plant has been healthy and flawless. Expertly packed, arriving much as they were sent. The prices are amazingly good considering what you can get. This business is number 1 with me. I will order again and again.