Comments regarding Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens)

I had such good results in ordering six Red Fairy bareroot roses that I ordered six more a month later for a dozen big boxes along the top of a six foot wall. They have bloomed continuously for the whole first year except for the worst of the summer's 90 degree heat; they are covered with dozens of blooms now in January. And they are just the right size as advertised, disease free, don't need dead-heading.

I am not too thrilled with Park's. This fall I ordered (first order, I was testing their service) a rose, a daylily, a geranium, a shasta daisy, a monarda. Seemed pretty basic. But they really disappointed me. First They informed me that the rose and daisy were out of stock and refunded me some $12. I was disappointed, but those are the breaks. Then I waited and waited and finally called to know how my order was doing. I was then informed that the geranium, the monarda and the daylily where on back order until spring. Well the entire point of my ordering it now was to plant it in the fall so that it could be established by spring. I don't know if I am the beneficiary of an outrageous amount of bad luck or that they simply provide a lousy service, but meantime there are 5 big holes in my garden begging for plants and I betcha PARK'S is not going to be the one to fill 'em.

I simply have to add my own praises. Park Seed is truly a wonderful company to work with over the phone, or in person. In four years, I have had only one problem where a fall special plant sent bareroot did not come up in the spring. I did not even call; I emailed them about the problem (info@parkseed.com). I received my plant in 2 days by priority mail along with an apology. The catalog is wonderful, with a vast collection. Honestly, you can't go wrong!

My husband and I order a lot of edible landscaping plants, seeds, and bulbs from catalogs. We got really nice bulbs from Park as well as seeds.

I really expected an extraordinary company after reading the postings. I was thus more disappointed than normal. The seeds arrived on time but even following strictly the instruction in the packet I got only 10% of them sprouting. The rest of the plants arrived late, the vinca cuttings were HORRID (only stems, very little leaves and brown at that!), the cuttings I do from my gardens are growing three times as fast as the "professional" ones. A rosemary plant died 7 days after receiving it (it was shaggy and small to begin with). The iris collection was never completed. And they refunded me because they couldn't send new plants (no stock). I really wouldn't use them.

Here's another voice in the chorus of praise for Park's. I've also had great luck with their seeds -- and their styrofoam plug blocks "ParkStarts," which are super for fussy perennial seedlings like Platycodon. They are courteous and knowledgeable on the phone and shipments arrive promptly.

I have to add my voice to those praising Park's. The first time I ordered from them, I didn't even have a catalog - I had just read a gardening article and they were listed as one of the suppliers. The order taker was very friendly and had no problem looking up the seeds I wanted from name alone. Delivery was prompt, and even included a bonus packet of seeds. I will definitely be ordering more from them in the future!

Some of the items in the Wayside catalog can also be found in the Park's book at lower prices. If you receive the big Park's spring book, be sure to check the table of contents for the "Institutional" page. Look for the date for the annual open house, which coincides with Greenwood's Flower Festival. If you are within driving range of Greenwood, this is a worthwhile trip. They radically reduce the prices on their spring inventory to move it out. I usually lose about 20 percent of my purchases from this sale (usually in June), but at these prices the survivors are still a great buy. Avoid the roses at this sale unless you are very fond ofblack spot; many of the annuals are also long in the tooth. I probably shouldn't be mentioning this at all, since this event is already amadhouse. If you go in the bulb rooms, be prepared for hand-to-hand combat. I believe the preceding weekend is open for commercialnurseries and landscapers.

It looks like most people have had good experiences with them, and I can be added to the list. All the bulbs I have ordered from them have done very well. About two years ago, my sister moved to Greenwood, SC, and since then I have not used the catalog, but have been going to the gardens to get what I need. Their customer service is even better in person!

One of my favorites. Nice catalogue, good variety and good pricing. I've never had a problem with them and do 90% of my seed ordering from them.

I have ordered from Park Seed for years for my seed, perennials and bulbs. They publish at least 2 bulb catalogs a year. The bulbs are priced fairly and always have a unique collection in addition to the classics. I always order at least once a year from the Bulb catalog. Never had any problems. I like it because the bulbs are of the size and quality that I would hand pick at my local garden center. I especially like the fact that they focus on bulbs that are great garden performers. That is, they generally are weatherproof, have great substance, multiply well, and are star performers in the average garden. I would heartily recommend this catalog to any gardener, regardless of experience level.

I like their seeds and selection! Some of their small-sized veggies have grown well even in small pots next to a driveway.

I have been "shopping" from them for the past three years now and I can honestly say that they are an EXCELLENT company all-around. The seeds are freshly packaged with a very high germination rate. They have many plants that all come in good condition, and just thrive madly when planted. They have very knowledgeable, certified horticulturists in-house who will even return long-distance calls to answer questions. One-year return policy, no packing slip required, prompt refund/replacement. All packaging of their products are meticulously clean and sturdy. Their catalogs (slightly different ones come several times a year) are full of real photographs with accurate descriptions. What you see is what you get. Needless to say, they deserve a solid A+ rating.

The Washington State Attorney General's office considers them to be one of the top ten mail order companies in the country. They will refundmoney for just about any reason, they have always been unfailingly courteous when I have called, they are knowledgeable, and will get more information for you if they do not have it on hand. The one person I know that had a customer dispute with them, was very satisfied with how they handled it; it turned out to be a quarantined plant she had ordered. They found her a local nursery that carried the plant, and had them reserve one for her, refunded her money, and apologized for the inexperienced phone trainee that had taken her order. They arealways very friendly. I have never heard them say anything bad about any other company, and they are a marvel of customer appreciation. When my stepfather retired as head of the State Capitol grounds after twenty years, the company sent him a letter of appreciation for his support over the years. And he of course, had nothing but great things to say of them, based on over 35 years of professional contact.