Comments regarding Heronswood Nursery

I enjoy growing a wide range of plants from the old standbys to something new or rare. With Heronswood Nursery I found many cultivars of plants that were new to me. I placed an order this year and I was pleased by the condition of the plants. They were a bit expensive for the size, but the plants were heathy with good root systems.

I have ordered from many companies and never seem to get the quality that I have received here. The first time I ordered from them {several years ago} they seemed a little pricey, but after trying other companies, I will always be back!

I heartily recommend Heronswood. One cannot find better variety, service and packaging than they provide. Their shrub selection is incredible and excellent on arrival. They are very polite and helpful both by e-mail and phone. Go for this one!

I've ordered from Heronswood once. I found their catalog to be fairly extensive. While they were out of one item, I was notified (by an actual phone call, not an e-mail) of it being out of stock. The rest of my shipment was shipped promptly and recieved well-packed and in good ordered. I didn't think my plants were particularly small. They were all 12"-18" tall and well branched and rooted. Their prices were slightly higher than average, I'd say, but I certainly don't mind that when compared to product and service - both of which I was very happy with!

This is a catalog for the collector who likes to experiment. Many plants are untried outside the Northwest, and may or may not live. These aren't the rudbeckias of the world! The selection is unparallelled for diversity and rarity, but order early! Newer things are apparently offered in small quantities the first few years and sell out quickly. Also, know that the plants are small, but usually healthy and in good shape on arrival.

I've ordered from them twice and have been very happy with the packing, condition and size of plants that arrived, but they never send the rarer plants that I've ordered (Hepatica ordered fall 2000 never sent spring 2001, Trycirtis macrantha ordered summer 2001 not sent in fall 2001). It seems that one really must order over the phone to be assured that you will get what you order--however the catalog says they are open to bribes, so I sent an e-mail saying I'd pay 2x list for the toad lily...we'll see if I get it now.

I ordered some of the evergreen Magnolia relatives from Heronswood during winter of 2001. Overall, the condition of the plants I received was good, but I was very dismayed by the packing. The plants were crammed into a small box, and the leader stems were bent in half in some cases. This caused the Michelia sinensis I ordered to snap in half. I called and reported the broken plant, and the person I spoke with was very courteous and arranged for a new plant to be shipped. The replacement was shipped promptly, but lo and behold it too was crammed into a box that was too short and the leader stem snapped in half just like the other one. Fortunately, the second plant had a reasonably good second potential leader, so I decided to accept the two damaged plants as a substitute for one undamaged one and didn't ask for a second replacement. As far as plant sizes, the online catalogue is very clear about the size of the pots the plants are being grown in, so I expected fairly small plants and was actually pleased with what I received size-wise. Because of the packaging problems, I will probably look for other mail-order sources of plants Heronswood offers, but because their selection is so extensive and outstanding, I may very well order from them again.

On September 20, 1999, I received five plants from Heronswood Nursery. They were all in great condition and were packed very well. One week after planting three of the honeysuckles, they are already putting out new leaf growth. The wisteria and clematis vines are holding up pretty well, too. Heronswood has a lot of plants that are hard to find, and I listed several substitutions (one of which was actually used). The one plant I did not list a substitution for was not sent. Since there are so many awesome plants to choose from, finding subs should not be a problem, but if you don't list a sub, you might not get a plant at all. I would highly recommend Heronswood for experienced gardeners. Their catalog (both online and paper) contain no pictures, so if you aren't experienced enough to understand all the nomenclature, visit your agricultural extention. The master gardeners are a great help in choosing what's appropriate for your area.

Heronswood is one of the three nurseries that I order from every year.

Admittedly I am only an arriviste when it comes to this nursery, but it is GREAT. I first read about them in Martha Stewart Living last June, which had a feature on geraniums (I love real geraniums, almost as much as I love explaining to people that those red things they grow in pots aren't geraniums). Heronswood was listed as one of two sources for the unusual varieties pictured, so I called. Of course it was two months after they had stopped shipping, but they sent me a catalog anyway and told me I could order for fall (but probably less than half the items listed would be available). I ordered, less than half of what I ordered was shipped. (I called them ahead of time and went over my list with a very helpful and kind man on the telephone who explained what they could and couldn't ship, and let me make a few substitutes at the last minute.) I thought the plant material a little on the skimpy side BUT it all made it through the winter and it is all more than wonderful right now. I faxed off another order ($150+) and pray even half of it makes it through. My catalog is dog-eared and stained from being lugged everywhere with me for the past few months, and what could be more wonderful than to be transported to the 99 Dragons in the description of a plant. Please be sure to order Anemonella thalictroides from them and plant it in the shade: the two clumps of mud I received have been blooming for two months with 40+ flowers on each 6" x 6" plant and there is simply nothing lovelier than this plant or Heronswood who shipped it to me.

The best! (so far) this catalog may be slanted toward the more experienced gardener -winter is just so much more bearable with the arrival of this catalog-plant selection is incredible-everything arrives in excellent shape-they are out of some items very often- I think this is ,in many cases, because they are the only ones that have that item.

Of course not every plant is available all the time, as those of us who are Heronswood addicts would quite freely admit; but where else can you find such a stock of healthy plants at good prices which you otherwise might have to go to the very ends of the earth, or at least Britain or Germany to purchase? Dan's fervor, generous good humor, teaching ability and willingness to share his expertise--within the limits of what is humanly possible while running a major nursery--is legendary amongst gardeners in the Northwest. Yes, I am still waiting for that particular Arunculus, but sometimes some stock die, are sold out within a day etc. so those of us who have dealt with Heronswood go to the next item on the list, knowing that if there is any real problem it is because our eyes are much bigger than our pocketbooks.

The Heronswood catalog is certainly worth curling up with on a cold January evening. I always get excited about things I see listed, BUT you have to read very carefully - they offer many plants which are raised from seed and are not vegetatively propagated. They are honest about this and mention it whenever pertinent; however, I think that many of us want a particular variety and don't have space to experiment with these "variable seedlings". I make a long list of possibilities and then pare it down as I receive other catalogs. I have ordered for three years now and I agree that their plants are nicely grown and that they arrive in good condition.

After reading the comments available on Heronswood, I felt I must help the uninitiated realize that this is one of the very finest perennial nurseries in the USA. They introduce many spectacular plants, and the educational efforts of Dan Hinkley and his knowledgeable staff have significantly advanced the gardening community in the Pacific Northwest. The catalog is a virtual phone book of marvelous offerings-educational and entertaining. Dan's expeditions bring back very choice material. Incredible.

I have ordered many, many plants from Heronswood. This year was the best ever. All the plants arrived in first class condition, and all are very happy in their new homes. We have visited the nursery several times to enjoy the extensive display gardens. The gardens are rarely open for the public, but absolutely worth the planning to visit whenever one can. The catalog gives full details on public open days and on arranging appointments.

By far the best catalog for rare plants available nowhere else.

A great catalog and a great selection of plants. Trees, shrubs, and perennials. A page worth of hornbeams, for example. I got mostly trial sizes of interesting shrubs. Good packaging and very healthy plants. Also good prices -- Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant', beautiful big plants, $4 each.