Comments regarding Gorge Top Gardens (also dba perennial-gardening.com)

This is a good company that has had some bad luck. When orders became delayed due to a serious illness in the family, they sent out an email to the outstanding orders (I was one) offering a refund, or the ability to delay shipping till cooler weather so the plants would not die during shipment. I chose to wait and low and behold I just received all my plants that I ordered and they all look healthy and happy to be in their new garden home in Iowa. I look forward to expanding my garden collection in the future with this company. Between this order and the previous ones, I've added over a dozen new varieties to my garden and it's looking great! Yes they could do a better job at communicating with customers, but all-in-all I have a beautiful garden thanks to their selection.

I order 3 each of 3 varieties of coneflowers from coneflowers.net, Milkshake, Ruby Giant and Pink Double Delight I think. They weren't super cheap, but better than I had seen around the web. They were shipped promptly, and arrived on time. Plants look GREAT. After reading some really bad reviews, I felt like I was taking a gamble, but so far, I'm really pleased.

I know some of the reviews said they didn't get what they ordered, and I can't speak to that yet. SO FAR, however, I'd rate them an A+.

I ordered seven plants from Gorge Top for the same price as ONE from another company. I had seen the terrible reviews on Dave's, but decided that if even one survived it would be worth it. By mid-May I started to wonder if they had forgotten about me and ran off with my money, but I checked the shipping schedule and they were not due to ship until the next week. It's a good thing they waited longer than other companies- we had a frost night that week. The following week I came home to a huge box on my door step. What a wonderful surprise! All seven plants were in perfect condition (in fact Gorge Top had tossed in an extra foxglove - so I had eight!) Three were budding and bloomed the week after I planted them. All of them are thriving now a month later. They weren't in pots, but they weren't bare root either. Their soil was still in perfect pot shape. Perhaps it's just because I don't live far away that the plants held up so well in transport. I'm thrilled to have found this company and plan on placing a larger order with them next Spring.

I purchased 12 may night salvia and a clematis. The clematis is slow growing, so too soon to tell. The salvia have gone from itty bitty to over 12 inches and are blooming profusely. The plants were all in great shape upon arrival.

I placed an order in April and sent a couple of emails and tried to call by phone. I did receive an email back within a few days (longer than desired). My ship date was targeted for 2nd week in May. After reading several (many) negative reviews about the company I was very nervous about what the outcome might be.

Well, I am extremely happy to report my plants were shipped on time and arrived in two days from the time of shipment via UPS. I think they did a good job of packing the plants and they have arrived in very good condition. I am so excited to plant the beautiful variety of coneflowers I purchased from them. They're going to look amazing this summer if I can keep the deer from devouring them.

I ordered the plants from Coneflowers.net which is a Gorge company. I would order from them again and I will most likely place another order with them this month.

Excellent in every way so far. Ordered 2 hardy hibiscus. Came bareroot (as expected) and they were very large with nice firm roots. Everything went so well and the prices were so reasonable, immediately ordered 2 more for a friend. Both orders came quickly and plants were very healthy. All 4 have been in the ground for over 2 weeks, and they're growing like gangbusters. Very heallthy and happy. Unless they don't bloom true to the correct cultivar, this will be a perfect transaction. I would recommend them to anyone. Thank you, Gorge Top.

I couldn't find coreopsis rosea anywhere. Gorge Top had them and at a great price. My order came when I requested, on time and in great shape! The plants adapted to their new home in just a few days and are developing buds already. I will definitely order from this company again.

Posted on May 17, 2011, updated May 9, 2012
This company is probably trying to improve it's past record. I beleive they are on the track to do that. My recent purchase went smoothly, great quality and accurate plants, fast shipping and good communications.

I order a lot online and especially plants. After reading all the bad reviews, I cut my $200 order to just daylilys. A confirmation was emailed and I got my plants when expected. One was forgotten and I emailed them. Got a response right away. Got the forgotten one in a week and a half after a nice email from them apologizing for the error. Nice big plants.

I placed my first order in September of 2011 and did not hear from them until March of 2012. I did order several Hardy Hibiscus and it did state on their website that they would not mail until March/April of 2012. I did email them and asked questions on the first order and never heard from them so I assumed they had gone out of business and did not think they would send anything nor bill me.

All the plants were shipped bareroot and were a lot bigger than I thought they would be (at least 1 to 2 gallon size and were also half price. I am very happy with all of the plants I received and they have already started to sprout out stems. So I feel I got a great deal.

I placed a second order this week and I just now saw that they have negative remarks and ratings. If I had seen these ratings, I would probably not have ordered from this company, but it seems like they are trying to make things right and make a come back. I will post what my second order is like.
Antoinette

I ordered a bunch of things from Gorge Top, and then saw the reviews here. I am a very cheap person, and their prices were good. Their selection was also pretty decent for the price. I got one order last week, and while most of the hostas were shipped bareroot, the were very healthy and look pretty good already. Everything else was shipped with the dirt intact and looked good. I got a second order today, and the same thing. It all looked great (maybe even a little larger than the more expensive versions from bluestone). I am very, very happy with my purchases and glad I didn't see the negative reviews until it was too late to look back. I will order from them again I'm sure.

I took a chance after reading all of the reviews & placed a order with Gorge,then decided that they had more perrenials that I would like to have.E-mailed them & ask them to combine my orders.Received both my orders together today & both the condition & size of my plants totally exceeded my exspectations.Beautifull,large,lush plants.My experience with them has been nothing but positive.I will be returning for more,as soon as I can find a place to put them.There is no way that they're prices can be beat when you can get shipping free if you search for it.

I am surprised at all the negative feedback. My first order went perfectly. All my plants were exactly as I had ordered them and I thought the prices were super reasonable as well as the shipping. So far I like them, in fact, I placed another order for the Spring!

Posted on June 9, 2011, updated June 16, 2011
I place an order with them on April 25 2011 and had to contact them after two weeks had not recieve the order and so they did send me my order and even included another one? but all three has die and I have email them twice and call them three times and no reply.. So I guess I will not recieve my replacement?

1/15/2011 Placed order for Hosta, etc.
Co. confirmed order, stated shipments would begin week of 3/21.
Requested order status on 3/24, Co. responded that shipments would commence week of 3/28.
Requested order status on 4/4, Co. responded that shipments were still running behind and offered to cancel my order. I declined, stating that there was no rush and I would just continue to check on the progress periodically.
Requested order status on 4/11. Co. responded that they would be caught up by the 12th and I could expect shipment notification forthwith.
Received notification of order shipment with tracking number on 4/12.
Received shipment of complete order on 4/14. Immediately checked the plants and placed entire order in pots. The plants, although on the small side, were healthy with excellent root systems except that one day-lily's roots were mostly rotten, but hopefully sustainable.

I was shocked when I came on site and saw all these negative reviews. My plants arrived in fantastic shape and the english rose I ordered had it's first little blossom out today just a few weeks after I got it. I would not hesitate to order from this company again.

I had read reviews about this company not sending plants that were true to name. Well, I ordered four Hibiscus, Blue River 2, Kopper King, Fantasia and Jazzberry Jam on sale. They all grew to be big healthy plants. I watched two of them and the foliage on both was identical, so I knew that I would have two Jazzberry Jam, since the other two were obviously what they were supposed to be. But, you know what, I got a more expensive plant and all were healthy, so I'm not complaining. I had good communication from the company and healthy plants that were from the right family, at least. I'll just enjoy the beautiful blooms of Jazzberry Jam and smile. That's what gardening is all about, IMO.

I had an overall good experience with my purchase.
The hostas, ferns, Russian sage and knockout roses I ordered were delivered on time and in good health. They are all growing and doing well in my garden. When I had a question about shipping, I emailed and got a response quickly.
I did discover that the one hosta was not what I ordered (or what it was marked) and the Japanese fern is a Christmas fern, but I can overlook that since the price was so good and the plants are doing well.

I ordered ferns plants from this nursery earlier this year. There was a sale going on, and I got some really good deals, one being 6 Ostrich Ferns very much below the average cost. I am proud to say that all 6 of those ferns plus all the others gotten, are all up and growing beautifully. They were all dormant when they arrived, but as I said, they are now beautiful and growing so well. They arrived well packaged and within a reasonable length of time. I will be doing business with them again.

My questions about shipment were quickly answered via e-mail and the box arrived on time. I got an e-mail when the shipment went out with a UPS tracking number. The plants were in good health and some were average size while others (in particular the Beacon Silver dead nettle) were larger than expected! All of the plants were packed well. I would order from this company again!

I received the order on time and delivered when expected as requested on order. Plant were only 3.99 each and came in squares of soil 4 inches wide with 3 plants per pack packed in sawdust. I ordered 12 plants and they looked like 2nd year plants. They were phlox 'Eva Cullum' and Franz Schubert' 6 of each. Some plants had rust appearing on lower folage as so many phlox do but overall I was completely satisfied. Each bag was not labeled but it did not take much to fiqure out which was which, I think the company really tried. I planted immediatly and so far has not even wilted. If they die I'll let you know, but will probably be my fault.

Guess I was one of the fortunate folk who had a great experience with Gorge Top Gardens in 2007. It was my first time ordering from them and everything arrived when they said it would, in excellent condition, carefully packaged. Labels were missing or had been borrowed from other plants with names written on the back in marker. Clematis sent up vigorous growth within days of me planting it. Hosta is also in excellent form. Communication regarding the high heat and drought was prompt and professional. I'm completely satisfied with all aspects of my experience with this online nursery.

I was skeptical when I read the comments, but had already placed an order. My order came promptly and all the plants were labeled correctly and were very healthy. They are doing great!

22 Aug 2006

I have had three live-plant shipments arrive from Gorge Top Gardens, over a two year period.

My order for Spring of 2005 arrived six weeks late, and only after several emails and a certified letter finally got their attention. The plants were great! And they had a reasonable sounding excuse, a disruption due to a personal tragedy.

So I ordered real early this year, asking for shipping in mid May.

In March I received a box of lovely Gorge-top plants, but the ground in Warwick was still frozen. I had to store the lovely little fellas till the ground thawed. Then I noticed the plant list did not match my order list. They had confused MY order and an order to be sent to Seattle in March!

They apologized and promised to send the correct plants in May as per the original request.

May came, and passed, and no Gorge-top box of plants arrived.

When contacted, they said their records showed they had already filled the order. In March !

Dang! Deja vu all over .... ;-)

After much emailing, and snail mailing I did get most of the correct plant list, late but healthy. Gorge Top Gardens seem overwhelmed by success .

Gorge-top obviously has problems, improved record keeping and communication would solve most of them.

I love the plants they sent, but hate their chaotic organization. I am calling this a "Positive" assessment because they have eventually come through for me, and so they never cheated me, but their failure to answer email and lack of an 800 number, can sure cause stress and frustration.

They would be top notch if they communicate as well as they grow plants.

Marty
Warwick, NY

I have been gardening for well over 30 years and have done business with some of the biggest and well known perennial nurseries in the US. I found Gorge Top Gardens about three years ago and have been purchased hundreds of dollars worth of plants from these folks. I was a bit taken back to see the negative comments posted here. I just recieved my second order of the year from Gorgetop and as with all the orders I was extremely pleased. The prices are unbeatalbe and the quality is always dependable. I have had to have a couple of items replaced but it has never been a problem to do so. I don't know if I have just been lucky or if some of these folks have just been unlucky but I will continue to purchase my flowers from Gorgetop Gardens until they fail to meet my expectaitons - as of today and three years of ordering they have always beaten other companies prices and plant sizes. I hope they can clear some of these negative comments up, I hate to see my favourite source for plants getting flamed like this.

I HAD NO TROUBLE AT ALL WITH THIS COMPANY. PLANTS WERE LARGER AND IN BETTER SHAPE THAN I'VE BEEN LED TO BELIEVE IS THE NORM BY OTHER ON-LINE BUSINESSES. ORDER CONFIRMATION AND EMAIL OF SHIPMENT DATE WAS ALL THE CONTACT I HAD WITH THEM. WOULD AND WILL USE AGAIN.

The plants I received were in excellent condition when they arrived. I will order again from this company.

While I agree that the lack of speedy communication and email response is an issue with this company, I received my product today ($80 worth of plants) and I will definitely be shopping with them again. When I didn't receive notice that the order shipped on the date expected, I did email them but never heard back. A few days later I checked the website and saw a notice that they were running behind so I waited a bit. Within a week of the expected shipment date, I received the email notifying me of my shipment. The plants arrived within a few days of that email and were packed well, and are large and healthy plants. I am very pleased. The price is right, and the variety of plants that they have available is awesome. I will definitely be shopping again.

I received all my plants in a timely manner. The hollyhocks were very healthy and are thriving. The clematis are starting to sprout up nicely.

I recieved my 2 orders this week which consisted of many plants. I was very impressed with the good condition of many of them and only had to ask for a couple of replacements. I will be doing business with this co. again.

Fantastic plants at a great price. The plants were big and healthy with strong root systems. I will be ordering from them again for sure. Great email response and fantastic customer service.

I was hesitant about buying based on so-so reviews. My experience was great. The perennials are extremely well developed with substantial root systems. Packing was done with extreme care and not one leaf in two boxes of perennials was so much as damaged. Usually I pot up mail order plants and nurse them along so they recover before the go in the beds. No need here - plants went directly in (except clematis which was a little skimpy) the beds and are thriving. Shipping was right on time and e-mail communication kept me informed. At least half of my extensive gardens has come through the mail, and these plants are some of the best.

Good prices and reasonable shipping charge for varieties that are up to twice as much at other places. Plants arrived in great condition despite a 5-day (trackable) transit period through UPS. Received email notice when plants were shipped, which is exactly the time period I requested when placing the order. Knockout roses are on the small side, but very healthy and I'm sure they'll catch up quickly (these are 2-3 times as much at other places). Yes, the "half-price sale, could be ending soon!" seems to be a gimmick since the "sale" has apparantly been going on for several years, but I have to admit, it got my attention. Got coupon for free shipping on next order ($10.75 value). Will certainly buy again.

Gorge Top Gardens has been a pleasure to do gardening business with for the past three years. I have ordered several hundred dollars worth of plants from them and have no complaints to this day. Their bare root plants are often so big that I am able to divide them before planting so its like getting free plants and as someone else has said Gorge Top Gardens prices are fantastic. I noticed that this site has not updated the web site address for Gorge Top - the old one is no longer online. The new address is gorgetopgardens.com the old site did not have the word gardens in it. I do recommend this company and will order form them again.

I ordered from this company for the second time last year and am planning to order again this year. The quality of the plants I purchased where far better than I expected having been disappointed by other mail order nurseries. The thing I love the most are their prices. Almost half of what some other companies charge. Last years order did arrive a few days later than I had expected but other than that I had no problems.

I placed my first order with Gorge Top in early May, 2005. It was their half price sale. My order was for Hosta & Ferns. I did not have high expectations considering I was buying their "leftovers". They arrived in a timely manner on the day that they said they would. I was thrilled with the packaging. The sawdust and newspaper had kept everything moist and in perfect condition. The size/quality was even better than I'd hoped for.
My friend saw my plants and had me immediately place an order for Hostas and Ferns for her. They too arrived on time and in superb condition. The plants are rapidly growing for both of us and we will surely be ordering from them again next year.
Here is the amazing part....I had tossed my box of packaging material into the garage and yesterday started dumping out the packets of sawdust when I found a Hosta that I had missed down underneath everything. It was still damp, but looked healthy. This afternoon the white sun deprived leaves are turning green! This has been laying in a box for over a month now! Will I order from them again? You bet!

Took advantage of their sale prices and ordered bleeding hearts and daylilies. Big daylilies; average sized bleeding hearts (big for the price, though). All are coming up now. If only the squirrels would stop digging up the daylilies...

Had a pretty good experience with Gorge Top. Prices are very cheap (2 hollyhocks for $6.50; 5 liatris for $5.00). My one disappointment was with the clematis that I ordered. It was the most expensive item in my order and when I took it out of the bag of wood shavings I thought it was a joke. It was a puny, runt of a plant, barely 5 inches in length from the top of the plant to the bottom of the roots. But I planted it anyway and it is growing just fine.

Received plants today May 11,2005 which I had ordered on April 24,2005. The delivery week was chosen by me. I ordered 81 plants and they were beautiful, large, and fresh looking. I am completely satisfied with the service, plants and price.