Comments regarding Woodlanders Inc.

This is the second time I have ordered from Woodlander's. When I can't find something anywhere else, I can usually get it from Woodlander's. All plants I received arrived in good condition. This fall I sent my order in the day after I received the catalog, and I think my plants were much bigger than in my late-season order last spring. Also, I was able to get everything I ordered. But, in either case, the plants were healthy when they arrived.

I've made many purchases from Woodlanders - I've always been happy with the plants and the people I've dealt with.

I placed a large order with Woodlander's last March. All the plants arrived in good condition except two. When I called I was told that they could not send replacements at that point since they were at the end of their shipping period. They ship from September through March. I said that was fine and to ship the replacements next March. They sent them in January with no prior notification and unfortunately I was away from home. When I called to ask them to send another replacement since it was their mistake they refused. When I asked why Bob McCartney, who I believe is the owner said "because I don't feel like it".

Woodlander's prices are rock-bottom and they have many, many unusual plants that are not listed anywhere else, or listed for a heckuva lot more money! Every order I have received from them arrived exactly when I requested, and the plants have always been good-sized and healthy. Definitely one of the all-time best mail-order nurseries I have dealt with, and I've ordered from lots of good companies! My only quibble is that they have a pretty minimal website, and the only way to find out what they have is to order their catalog (which is not free).

Wow, what a selection. A catalog that is full of new plant ideas, especially native materials indigenous to the SE United States. Have ordered from their remarkable two acre nursery for over twenty years. Small plants that do well. Be advised, - order as soon as possible in the Fall, since their most desirable plants are packaged in order of request. Very reasonably priced, packaged well, and delivered quickly.

I want to like this nursery because of their great selection and emphasis on native plants for the southeast. However, of the two things I ordered this spring, the first was 'out of stock' despite the fact that I called ahead to be sure they had it and then rushed my order in. The second plant was very small upon arrival and died soon after.

Wish I could share the excitement about Woodlanders. After reading an article in Southern Living a couple of autumns ago, we purchased ferns listed for growth in Zones 6-10 from Woodlanders of Aiken, S.C., much to our chagrin. We experienced 70 percent mortality. When communicating with Mr. McCartney, he said the plants were for the Deep South (Montgomery southward, which I have in writing). Yet his catalog still clearly states that Southern Shield Ferns and Florida Shield Ferns grow in Zones 6 - 10. I have contacted them two years running about this misrepresentation, yet to no avail. He said I didn't know how to grow plants and refused to discuss the issue of growth zones as stated in their catalog. We have many plants from various nurseries with no problems.

Lot's of cool stuff you can't find anywhere else! Plants arrive in great condition.

You have to really know your natives to fully appreciate this catalog, but if you are into them, watch out, this is the ultimate. I take care of an atrium which is supposed to contain only plants native to the Florida panhandle. Without Woodlanders, this would be impossible. They have rare plants that I have never seen listed anywhere else and their selection changes every year. Many of these native plants are not necessarily showy, which may be why most people don't offer them, but if our native flora interests you, you have found Mecca.

My absolute favorite nursery. Don't expect a lot of cultural info or pretty pictures from the catalog (in fact there are no pics at all), its basic nuts and bolts with very short descriptions of each plant species, for that reason I wouldn't recommend it to the novice gardener. But for the rest of you out there who know what you want this nursery is for you. VERY reasonable prices and great quality plants with a lot of hard to find southern specialties as well as recently discovered exotics from China and other parts of Asia. Get your order in early though, since they are a southern nursery, they stop shipping the end of March which means for us northerners you'll have to coddle your plants along indoors or in the greenhouse for a few weeks until its warm enough to plant them out. It's always thrill when the catalog arrives in my mailbox.

I've placed three large orders with them. Absolutely the best: the best selection, the best availability, the most knowledgeable advice, the best service when replacing a plant that is somehow less than perfect.

I plant mainly rhododendrons and magnolias and have need for "companion" plants. I have ordered from Woodlanders now for over 20 years with not a single complaint. Their plants are incredibly reasonable in price and always true to description. My basic comment to garden visitors who ask where I found my unusual companion plants is "if it is not in the Woodlander's catalog, I really didn't need the plant." I have contacted the nursery directly for a plant not listed and to my delight they came up with it in a matter of a couple of months (again at a very reasonable price). Woodlanders is simply a delight. Unfortunately when one becomes so dependant on a single source, it will hurt when Woodlanders retires or goes another direction. My suggestion - order quickly before it's too late to be treated to such a fine selection of unusual plants.

Woodlanders is my favorite mail order catalog by far. Period. They carry many native plants, new introductions, and exotic items that are hard to find, or cannot be found elsewhere. Like many mail order sources, the trees and shrubs are small; but the 50+ items I have received from them over a 4-5 year period have arrived in great condition and thrived. The extensive catalog is basically a listing (no pictures) with a comment or two about each item and a reference if additional information is needed; so this is a source for gardeners with some experience. Without reservation, I highly recommend Woodlanders for gardeners who are interested in native plants or looking for new or different plant material.

I've ordered from Woodlanders for several years and have been very satisfied with the quality, selection and price. My favorite plants from Woodlanders are a hardy palm and a hardy Gardenia. They have both made it through two winters in Arlington, VA with no problem.

I have to add positive comments about the folks at Woodlanders. The catalog is small, but the plants are those that won't normally be found at other sources. This is a great source for people searching for native plants of the southeast region.

Just to let you know that I have ordered from Woodlanders several times in the past few years and I have been very satisfied with the plants they send to me. They arrive in good condition and all of them have survived the season. In fact, I ordered from Woodlanders again in 1998.

Woodlanders native plant catalog is a fantastic resource.

I absolutely have to rave about this nursery. They are an outstanding source of plants, especially those for Southern gardens. I have ordered from them for two years and all plants have been healthy, well-formed specimens that have done very well in my garden. Their prices are very reasonable as well.

Have very good quality plants well shipped. Specialize in east coast natives, but also carry "exotics", meaning non-native. Good company.