Comments regarding The Lily Garden

Posted on August 19, 2015, updated August 19, 2015
I really hate to write negative reviews, and will only do so after I've given a company opportunity to prove that one bad experience wasn't just a fluke. In this case, I can't evaluate the quality of bulbs from this company as I've never managed to receive any. This appears to be a cottage industry that still requires orders be place by snail mail, fax, or phone, although they indicate that email would be ok too. I understand that some people still find snail mail and fax preferable, and that's fine, but I'm not willing to fax my credit card info to a company that seems so disorganized, even if I did have a fax machine.

Given how easy it is to set up an online store these days it seems strange that a company that doesn't answer its phone, return messages, or respond to email wouldn't automate the process for their own sake, if not the sake of their customers. In any case, a couple of years ago I sent multiple emails over a period of several weeks with my $300+ order painstakingly filled out, and never received a response. I tried various attachments of their printed form with no luck, and copied out the (long) order into the body of the email in case somehow attachments were causing the email to be junked (a possibility a good vendor would protect against, but never mind). Still no luck. The only email I ever got a response to was one inquiring why they weren't responding to the others, and it was terse and rude. This was a couple of years ago and the sting had faded so I tried again this year, but decided phone was the way to go. So, after once again painstakingly filling out their printed form (about 30 bulbs this time), I called to place my order. The company lists phone hours two days a week for four hours each (when you get the message machine, though, it says those hours only apply Sept-May. No indication about summer hours on the machine or anywhere else.) I called early in that window, no answer. I left a message requesting a return call at their convenience, it's now three days later and still no response. (I'd normally be willing to wait longer if I thought there was a point, but previous experience indicates otherwise.) I guess nothing has changed.

I personally wouldn't even consider mailing anything to this company as I simply don't trust that customer service is anywhere on their list of priorities and I wouldn't want to find myself waiting for another order that was never going to come, while meanwhile I hadn't ordered elsewhere and missed the opportunity to plant some lily bulbs yet again. I admit I'm not a mail-a-check-and-hope kind of person. Maybe the kind of customer who still likes to mail printed forms accompanied by a check would be in step with how The Lily Garden does business, but if that's the case I wish they made that clear on their website. Of course I could have just had very bad luck that isn't typical of anybody else. But I suspect if you're the kind of person who hasn't peeled a stamp in years and wouldn't know where to find your checkbook, then you probably shouldn't waste your time.

Posted on July 13, 2012, updated June 21, 2014
Posted on November 6, 2011, updated July 13, 2012
I placed two orders this fall. One for two types of asiatic lillies. For the price I was expecting much larger bulbs. I ordered some from John Scheepers and they were larger bulbs and less expensive.

The second order was for a trumpet lily and 3 different orienpet lillies - these bulbs were very large.
They have varieties unavailable elsewhere but the size of the bulbs is erratic. Would order trumpet, orienpet & oriental lillies again.

Posted on June 1, 2010, updated June 29, 2010
I have had repeated difficulties communicating with this company. They don't answer their phone; they don't respond to messages; they are slow to answer e-mail. I ordered one dozen "Silk Road" bulbs last fall and onyl two have grown this spring. When I called to report this and seek advice several weeks ago, no one answered or replied to a voice message I left. I will pay more to order bulbs from an outfit liek White Flower Farms because at least I can get answers.

I'm afraid that I much echo the thoughts posted by oters regarding their ability to communicate with this supplier. I travel internationally and must use the Web, fax, and other means to communicate with mail order companies and have done so for years - usually with success. I faxed an order to The Lily Garden and forgot to provide my credit card data. After attempting to fax the order again (the fax is down), email them repeatedly (@least 4 times at every email address provided), and now trying to call them from Malaysia, I still am unable to get any information or speak with someone to confirm the order.

I was very interested in this order and planned some significant work on my perennial bed this Fall. I'll start over again with a company that is able to provide service - not just a web site. If the company is "taking a vacation" due to the time of year, for goodness sake, please make your customers aware.

I ordered lilies in August. The lilygarden has been almost impossible to communicate with. I have emailed for order confirmation three times, without response. I have left a phone message, without response. The order was supposed to be shipped mid October. I finally got a phone message last week that the order was shipping that week, still hasn't arrived. It is October 28, and snowing tonight in Michigan. After several attempts at calling during their extremely limited office hours, no answering machine, I spoke to someone, who does not know if the order was shipped. I requested a refund if it has not been. Will I ever get it? Who knows.

Stay away from this site, unless you want endless frustration, and very possibly, no lilies.

This has been the most frustrating and unpleasant experience EVER with a mail order garden company, and I have been gardening for many years. I sent in an order for bulbs by mail in July with a check for $67.00, which was promptly cashed. I have never heard from them again. I have emailed them 6 times, yes SIX!! with no response. When you call their telephone number, they do not even have an answering machine and they never answer, it just rings and rings. What kind of business is this? I am afraid I will be reporting them to their local Better Business Bureau as well as their Attorney General's Office. They are behaving in a disreputable fashion and I can only conclude that they are dishonest. I am sorry to have to write this, but I want others to be aware. Take your money and your business elsewhere.