Comments regarding Red Barn Gardens

I ordered 3 bridal veil astilbe, one violet, and 2 golden bowles sedges from this nursery through Better Homes and Gardens. I received the box in a timely manner, however, when i opened it, i found that everything was crisped and wilted. granted, it is the height of summer, however, when i further inspected the plants, i found that half of them were substitutions. the packing slip said nothing about this. i checked the plants carefully; two of the astilbe were sending up white new growth (how long were they in the box??) and the one sweet flag that was substituted for the sedge looked alive, but tiny. i called customer service at BHG, and the lady there kindly took my complaint and gave me the number of the nursery (which wasn't included in the box). I called the nursery, and had to leave a message. Three days later, they called me back, and i gave them my complaints.

The lady was very terse with me, saying that i should have planted the plants out immediately (they came in quart containers full of soil which i immediately watered thoroughly and placed in part shade), and i had to explain several times that the plants arrived fried. finally, she said that she'd send replacements, but at the price they charge, and the fact that there were three unwanted substitution plants, i said that i'd prefer a refund. she told me again that i should have planted everything out, and then said she'd refund me for the astilbe and the substitutions.

so later on, when i planted out the living plants, i noticed that the root systems (especially on the sweetflag) were tiny, and shoved into these big, heavy, soilfilled quart pots. shipping was almost 20 bucks on these 6 plants. i hope they refund that, as well.

despite the fact that i'm getting a partial refund, i would never use this company again. i feel like they were trying to decieve me, and thus waste my money on shipping.