Comments regarding Select Seeds Antique Flowers

Ordered five separate packs of Zinnia seeds, ALL of which had terrible seed germination rates, less than 50%. All of this seed was sowed in a peat lite mix planted shallow set on a heat mat. The seed quality sent was very poor, a lot of chaff and poorly uniform seeds of all sizes were sent. Yes packing small orders of seeds is costly and time consuming for you, hence your high prices. Won't be buying from you again, you ought to be embarrassed with your quality.

Have ordered plants (and seeds) for several years. Have never been disappointed. Plants are well grown in deep, small pots. Have never had one die over dozens of plants. Nice selection of annuals and perennials some of which I've overwintered successfully (doesn't stop me from ordering more). Only quibble I might have is over the use of non compostable plastics in shipping although no plant ever received has been damaged.

Posted on May 22, 2021, updated May 23, 2021
In the last few years, I have ordered many seeds from Select Seeds. They have an interesting selection of flower seeds. Last year, three packets of seeds I ordered from them had zero or very low germination rates. I later figured out that two of those failures were because of the incorrect germination instructions on their packets. The third packet had very few seeds in it -- much less than the stated number. I wrote negative reviews for those products on their website. I received no response and no offer of a refund.

Against my better judgment, I placed another order with them this year for a single packet of seeds (which I could not find elsewhere). After confirming with customer service that I could avoid shipping charges by ordering through the mail and including a self-addressed stamped envelope with my payment, I did just that. I sent that order on 1/20/21. At that time, the item was in stock. My order was not even acknowledged until 2/18/21. Customer service had neglected to mention my order would be delayed by a month if I placed it by mail. Of course, because of the COVID gardening craze, by the time my order was processed, the product was backordered. My order status said, "We will need a little more time to figure out when your order will be ready." I contacted customer support and they promised the product would be in stock "soon." Long after my idea of "soon" had passed, I contacted them again to no avail. I could not even get a promise that I would receive the seeds in time for a fall planting! Though I made it clear that I am absolutely livid, all I get is an inadequate apology and an offer to cancel the order. It is now 5/22/21. I have not received the seeds. Their website shows the product is in stock and has been for at least a week. And yet my order has not shipped.

I consider their customer service entirely unsatisfactory. The quality of their seed is inferior to others, with lower germination rates across the board. Now I know that I can't even rely on them to actually ship the items I have paid for. I don't care if they offer things I can't find elsewhere -- I am never ordering from them again.

"On May 23, 2021 11:39 AM, Select Seeds Antique Flowers responded with:

Hi Rebecca,

Thanks so much for posting your review. I'm sorry that you had a bad experience with your order from us this year. In such an unprecedented year for small businesses in the home and garden sector, we tried our best to serve you and the thousands of other customers to the best of our ability.

On January 19th, you sent an email to us to make changes to a seed order. I replied on January 20th to let you know that the order had shipped and no changes could be made. You suggested to me that you could send in a check for the seed packet and a self-addressed stamped envelope. I agreed that this would be an easy way to make the order without paying additional shipping fees. On February 25th, a few days after we had received and processed your check, you emailed regarding the backorder status. At that time, I explained that international shipping and customs delays make it very hard to pinpoint when we would be able to fill your order. Since you mentioned in your email you would prefer to find another source, I offered to cancel the order at that time. On April 5th, I replied to another email from you offering to look into our seed stock to see if we could get a single packet to send out. Unfortunately, I was not able to process the order at that time. We now have received the product and it is packed up and ready to go. I will have your order sent out free of charge via USPS First Class Mail so that you can track your package.

I have also checked on your account to see the reviews you had left of the seeds you had problems with last year, and I apologize as we have not yet been able to monitor the feedback section as closely as we would like. I have scheduled a free replacement for the three packets from 2020 that you had problems with. If you ever have any issues with our products, we ask that you send us an email through the Contact Us form on our website. We’re more than happy to offer replacements or a refund if preferred.

Best regards,

Allison Barlow"

This is the second year I have ordered from Select Seeds. As in the previous year, my plants this year arrived in great healthy condition, were packed very well, and were in somewhat larger pots than the ones I get from other places (I order LOTS of plants online since we don't have a good local garden center). I love their great prices and that I can order both annuals and perennials, as well as seeds. They are pretty close to the top of my online resources.

They are great all the way around. I especially appreciate their rare heirloom seed (and plant) offerings and descriptive information. Some of their heirloom(s) are not offered anywhere else. I'm also glad to see organic seeds.

I ordered about 30 seed packets and a few live plants from Select Seeds this spring and summer. I was very impressed with the quality of the plants on arrival and had great germination of my seeds. Select Seeds is across the country from me and I am often hesitant to order from distant places because I have had issues with plants being DOA (dead on arrival) from other eastern companies. We are rural and arid which can be problematic in shipping plants. Anyway, my plants from Select Seeds showed no sign of stress whatsoever. It looked like they could have been packaged that morning. I will add this to one of my trusted sources for great live plants - and seeds (my other trusted source for live plants is Annie’s). The plastic containers are a bummer but they can be recycled and I don’t see another way to ensure plants will remain viable being shipped to dry places like this.

Posted on May 19, 2012, updated June 2, 2020
I ordered 4 packages of seeds , 3 creeping gloxinia vines and a black eyed susan vine. The plants arrived healthy, good sized and seeds planted so far have germinated and look good.

Posted on May 20, 2019, updated May 16, 2020
Posted on May 25, 2017, updated May 20, 2019
Posted on July 2, 2016, updated May 25, 2017
Posted on May 6, 2016, updated July 2, 2016
I have just received my Blue Shift ornamental sweet peas, and they sent well developed, healthy plants with good root systems.

I am impressed with how carefully these were packed. The little plastic pots were encased inside of clear plastic with front panels that snap-lock for optimum security. They were easy to open and retrieve the pots.

I also ordered seeds from them -- Clary Sage Salvia and a variety of snapdragons. It took awhile, but the Clary Sage has begun to germinate in its protected area. I still need to sow the snaps, and will do so, today.

So far, so good.

I've ordered seeds and live plants from them for many years. The communication re shipping is timely and accurate and the live plants are always in good shape. I wish there was an alternative to plastic packaging, though.

I have ordered seeds before from Select Seeds and loved the fact that I could get plant seeds that were difficult to find. For the first time this spring I ordered plants - 3 Cobalt Dreams Delphiniums. They arrived securely packaged in plastic 'cases' (which I was able to recycle) and I was very impressed with their size and health. Because we have experienced a cold snap, I have them growing by a dining room window for now and they are taking off by leaps and bounds. I will harden them off later this week and then get them in the garden. I will certainly order more plants from Select Seeds next year!

I ordered plants from Select Seeds this spring. I received my plants finally. They were delayed on the front part of the journey and arrived in fairly sad shape. While I realize shipping problems are not directly the nurseries fault It’s Disappointing spending a hundred dollars on the plants plus the additional shipping charges to get plants that are already very tiny and then not in good shape for being in a dark box for a week. In my experience there are many better places to purchase from. I took a chance on here because they had more varieties I wanted and I was trying to save multiple shipping charges.The plants are much smaller than other places I buy from and this added to the trauma They suffered in the long delay. I will stick with other options in the future.
Rose

I ordered plants from Select Seeds.com. The plants were very well protected during shipping. Very healthy very vigorous. I even found a plant that I had been searching for, for quite some time. They will be my new go to place for my garden!

The plants look fine, but I was shocked by the packaging: rigid PET containers surrounding each plant. Other nurseries manage to use more environmentally responsible packaging while still shipping the plants in good shape. I will not be ordering from them again.

"On Apr 4, 2019 6:21 PM, Select Seeds Antique Flowers responded with:

We welcome your feedback and wish to impress upon you that we conduct business with sustainability very much in mind. We realize that any material has an environmental impact and we direct you to this article in the Guardian (UK) that compares the impact of paper products such as boxes and PET plastics, which have no phthalates, no BPA, no endocrine disruptors and can be recycled infinitely. Please recycle! [HYPERLINK@www.theguardian.com]
"

Posted on January 10, 2019, updated January 10, 2019
I have thought about and considered this very carefully before I made my final decision as to this rating. I know full well there mays be excuses made in a company response, but I stand firm in this decision and the reasons behind it.

I was not impressed with the packets I purchased. It may well have been because they arrived the same day that I received truly some of the most well planned, designed, and beautiful packets I have ever seen that these just fell totally flat in comparison. So that's one issue.

That would make this a neutral review though, at WORST. What pushed me over the edge though is, out of the dozen or so companies I have bought seeds from (many of which are much bigger companies than Select Seeds) they are the only company that has made good on the ever-present threat to actually share my information with their third-party affiliates.

Now, that may not seem like a big deal- hey, more seed catalogs for me, right? The problem is, the company that prints their catalogs (and I acknowledge that it seems like that may be the ONLY way they are affiliated- not through ownership, but b/c they print their catalog) owns many other seed companies. I have received catalogs this week for many of them. There is no possible other way these people got my address other than through Select Seeds.

ALL of these other catalogs, including the main publishing/seed company, are rated very poorly to just horribly here on the Garden Watchdog. That plus the fact that many are simply not for products I would ever buy (like bulbs or live plants) means that essentially a pile of trash has been delivered to my house that I now have to deal with. Great, more recycling to haul- our town is not recycling friendly and my worms can't eat glossy paper.

So, OK, you CAN do this. Technically, any company I patronize can if it's in the fine print. But you are the ONLY one who HAS. I have done what your site has asked and requested my address be removed from sharing (and included it in the message I sent to be sure it can be)- I will see tomorrow if I get a response.

Maybe it would be different if your associates had sent only one instead of FIVE. Or if they were trustworthy businesses to begin with. But neither of those things are true and now I won't be buying from you again. And since nothing could have prevented this from happening since no one else has mentioned it here and these warnings on other sites have never come to fruition . . . well, I guess I'll just have to start paying closer attention to whose company the places I visit keep.

All young plants are doing well: Lantanas Miss Huff and Chapel Hill Yellow, Fuschsia, Datura and Ornamental Oregano . Very nice. Thank you.

This is my second year ordering from them. I am usually hesitant to use mail order but Select Seeds gave me renewed faith. The plants that have come from them are gorgeous and healthy. I like their unique selection and the customer service is top notch.

Posted on April 12, 2017, updated June 9, 2018
I think this might have been my first plant order from SS and it was a smooth transmission. The plants arrived in a severely crushed on one end box; I photographed it before I opened it because I was sure the plants would be damaged and I wanted a record of it as it arrived. Anyway...
The plants came out of the box with a flurry of loose dirt but I think it was better that way. They were well-protected with individual cardboard collars.
The plants are pleasantly stocky and green and have all been planted; they are enjoying the endless rain much more than I certainly! I'm very ready for spring!
I would not hesitate to order from SS again, especially since they have some unusual plants that aren't that common, and the prices are reasonable.

I purchased some Lewisia plants from them and the plants arrived extremely fast and very healthy. The lewisia plant comes in many different colors, and I asked for a specific color, and they kindly fulfilled my request. Very wonderful customer service.

Ordered several packs of seeds, followed the instructions and every seed came up, unbelievably, except for 1 package. Determined that the seed hulls were empty and emailed the company to ask for another package. They responded within an hour and immediately sent out another package, with no charge of course. I am very impressed with the quality of their seeds and their responsiveness! Will be ordering from them again!

I was amazed at how well my plants were packaged and how good they looked when opened. I'm getting them used to the terrific heat we now have but they still look great! I seldom order mail order plants but know were to go now.

What a great company with excellent customer service! I ordered plants during the winter and had problems with my card (someone had tried to hack it from another company.) Select Seeds was kind and understanding. After resolving the problem with my bank, I ended up ordering several plants, Brugmansia, 6 Ivy Geraniums, 3 different Salvia, and 3 hardy Mums. The plants arrived fresh, green, well branched and packed well. I planted them just three days ago and they are all ready growing!

I had wanted a type of flower seed and was notified it could not be sold in Ohio. I was thrilled when they sent me a free packet of seeds of a flower that is very similar to the one I wanted! When I was having issues with my card I mentioned I was a little disappointed with the germination of one of the packets of seeds I had purchased last year. I did not ask for a replacement, but they kindly offered to replace the seeds.

This is my second year buying plants/seeds from Select Seeds. I have been extremely happy with their service and quality of plants!

I already have plans for purchasing some plants from them for next spring! They seem to be a great company who truly care about their customers!

I have been ordering annual plants "Indigo Spires" Salvia and
"Van Houttei for 6 gardening seasons here in Zone 5 Maine.
I have always received excellent quality plants and at the correct time
for planting that I requested for my zone. Select Seeds detail to packaging these plants ensures that they arrive intact with no broken or damaged stems.
When I place my order for my seeds at the first of each year, they arrive shortly after, unless they are out at the time, then I will get them when they are back in stock.
I like doing business with a company that stands by all the products they sell and will do whatever it takes to fix any problems should they occur.

I first started purchasing Ms. Barlow's antique flower seeds shortly after she established her business. Seeds were most appropriate for our 225 year old New England farmhouse. Now she has added a wonderful line of fine plants and I especially knowing whether they attract hummingbirds and butterflies and are deer resistant.

The plants I have received this spring show that she and her company have developed plant packaging to a fine art. They are terrific, good sized plants, well watered for the trip, and very healthy.

I have ordered seeds from this company several times and have always had good luck with the germination. This time I ordered several plants (Salvia Shell Dancer & Hummingbird Snow Nymph). I could not have been more pleased. All of the plants were very healthy and much larger than expected. Their protective plant container is simply ingenious; the best I’ve every seen. I’ll be ordering plants again from Select Seeds.

Last year I ordered MANY seeds & a couple plants. Plants did very well, seeds that got planted did also. The Roguchi clematis was gorgeous. That was my first spring in newly-bought home & I didn't accomplish nearly as much as hoped so many of last year's seeds are getting planted this yr & doing well despite their "age." Received 5 new perennials this year & all came nicely packed & hearty, are thriving in my very-slightly-improved clay & rock soil. I am so pleased with Select Seeds for their quality & selection.

Was thrilled to discover Select Seeds, especially after Thompson and Morgan discontinued their Canadian distribution. The selection is great, quality of seed very good (I'm really happy with my germination rates) and speed of delivery more than satisfactory. Haven't tried ordering plants yet, as I have not investigated their policies regarding shipping live material to Canada.

Seed packets have all the information you need on them. After you place your order they send an email with tracking number so you know its on its way, which is very nice.

I've ordered seeds, and they've arrived very quickly. Recently, I ordered plants, and they came quickly, were well packaged, and appear healthy.

Posted on February 18, 2016, updated June 8, 2016
I ordered 3 different types of seeds. They arrived neatly packaged and I planted them in seed starter indoors 6 days ago. By 5 days I had my first sprout, by today nearly all of them had begun. Excellent germination rate and very reasonable prices and shipping.

I was pleased to find so many things I hadn't seen elsewhere. I've since placed another order that includes a live plant and am hoping their excellent service continues.

It has been a while since I had ordered plants from Select Seeds and had forgotten how nice their plants are. My order arrived very quickly. The plants were packed well, with no damage and no soil loss. They were all healthy, well-rooted, and still moist. Very good company!

Every year I order Redhead Coleus plants from Select Seed because their plants have always been the hardiest, reddest, most gorgeous Redhead Coleus I've ever had. Not only is the price competitive with any local seller, but I'm consistently pleased with the healthy, quality starters that arrive right on time for spring planting. This year was no exception!

Thank you, Select Seeds! I'll be back soon.

Ordered 12 "red spread" lantana. All arrived during requested week, well packaged and protected. Plants were in excellent condition. We are having a late cold spell here in zone 7a Virginia so will have to wait a while before I can plant. Looking forward to getting these beauties in the ground! Great company....will order from them again in future.

I have changed my customer loyalty over to Select Seeds. Customer service is a large part of what I look for in a nursery, particularly when seeds fail, as they sometimes do. I had poor germination rate of their Asclepias incarnata seed. I emailed them, and because I had wild-grown A. incarnata seed, I asked to swap replacement of A. incarnata with A. tuberosa. They immediately agreed and advised on stratification and germination. Within days, I had the new seed AND a free packet of Rudbeckia triloba! I'm hooked. Thank you Select Seeds for your immediate and positive response! I will have plenty of time to complete stratification and planting this spring.

Posted on March 15, 2016, updated March 15, 2016
I ordered two Salvia Guaranitica. A few months after planting it became obvious they were the wrong plants, possibly Costa Rican Salvia, very large and too late blooming for hummingbirds. My e-mails to the company asking them to resolve the situation were ignored.

One of the few companies that I loyally order from each year. Great plants, great seeds, great service and preserving history. What more can you ask for?

Posted on May 25, 2015, updated November 28, 2015
I ordered 5 packs of seeds from Select Seeds, on April 21st. I have not received them as of yet.

On May 18th, they did call and say that there was a problem with my credit card. What took them so long to call me?!

My order was mailed out on May 19th. My credit card has been charged, but as of this date, May 24th, I have not received my order.

I've never had this kind of problem from them before, but I will not order from them again.

"On May 25, 2015 11:11 AM, Select Seeds Antique Flowers responded with:

Thanks for your comments, which bring to my attention your disappointment with our service. I understand your frustration, for our responsibility to you is to deliver your orders promptly. I will find out what went wrong this Tuesday when we get back in the office after the holiday, and will respond soon.
Marilyn Barlow
President
Select Seeds

My Red Swallow Wort plants came very healthy, quickly and
well protected by their packaging. They have been growing
beautifully all summer long.
Thank you

Posted on April 19, 2015, updated August 13, 2015
Posted on January 19, 2015, updated April 19, 2015
I have ordered from Select Seeds for years, both plants and seeds, and have always been pleased with their selections and quality. The vining petunias still self-seed and grace my mother's cottage garden after several years. Their coleus selections are second to none. Just placed this year's order and looking forward to receiving it.

Posted on May 15, 2013, updated June 12, 2015
Posted on February 1, 1999, updated May 15, 2013
I am now in my third year utilizing seeds from this superb company…Select Seeds is the best!! I was fortunate in that Select Seeds was the first catalogue I ordered from. They taught me a tremendous amount about germinating and growing seeds, and my germination rate, even when I didn't know what I was doing, was in excess of 95%. Now, with experience, it approaches 100%. I find their heirloom flower seeds to be of excellent quality. Their information is concise and accurate. I have ordered on at least ten occasions and there has never been an error. Better yet, unlike many companies, their staff obviously takes the time to evaluate your order when they send you free seeds, and I have discovered many flowers I would not have grown thanks to their astute selections. They have helped to make me a gardener. I cannot praise them enough.