Comments regarding John Bowers Daylilies

As of 2013, the individual, Mr John Bowers, is no longer associated in any way with 'John Bowers Daylilies' as the plant stock is now owned by 'Strictly Daylilies Ltd' and the website (temporarily being used), //www.johnbowersdaylilies.co.uk/ is also owned by 'Strictly Daylilies Ltd'. Despite assurances to the contrary Mr John Bowers has recommenced trading as 'Swallowtail Daylilies' under //www.hemerocallis-daylily.com/ at the same location of Wimbotsham, Norfolk. PE34 3QB. Strictly Daylilies has no connection with John Bowers or his trading practices.

Ordered 7 plants from John Bowers Daylilies in early 2008 through their website providing credit card details. No response to my e-mail requesting a confirmation of order (not generated by website on confirmation). No response to a second e-mail in April. Finally rang to be told that they had in fact received it and would send out plants sometime soon.

The fans received were of Roswitha (1 single fan), Anasazi (3 single fans) and Maleny Empire Rose (3 single fans). They were vastly smaller than plants of equal or greater scarcity from A la Carte & Pollie's ordered same season.

The plants received serious attention on arrival and I managed to establish all of them through initial pot-up in premium compost mix & very good ground preparation on planting. Thus all live. Notwithstanding, only Maleny Empire Rose bloomed last year. This appears to be the right plant.

This year "Anasazi" bloomed. The plants were bright lemon yellow (supposed to be pink per Stamile registration) - clearly not the right plant allowing for stretch of colour display in different climates etc etc.

Roswitha" has still not bloomed - perhaps next year (it was the size of my little finger on arrival !) so jury is out on this.

I have e-mailed John Bowers Daylilies a photo of the "Anasazi" plants requesting their proposal for rectification but have not had any response. I do wonder whether anyone ever reads their e-mails.

In short I am not impressed by the service levels or quality of plants in the context of prices charged. A business with this front-end presentation surely can do better than this ?

Not too sure what to make of my order:

The day lilies arrived, looking rather pitiful. Except for 2, most arrived with rather small root clumps and a fan the size of my finger nail, if any at all!

I'm really skeptical as to how these plants will perform...not what I expected at all after reading the many descriptions from this "Lily enthusiast". I expected healthy looking plants, but got a pretty pitiful selection instead. I doubt any of them will flower anytime soon.

Has anyone else ordered from them?