Comments regarding Rose Franklin's Perennials & Herbs

First time ordering from them and I am just sick that I didn't find them sooner. 16 years of ordering from MANY different mail order companies and these were absolutely the biggest healthiest plants I have ever received. Best packing job I have ever seen.Not one broken branch or rotted leaf. I decided to put my 4 plants in pots on my deck before sticking them in the ground because they looked so good. I ordered 2 Monarch Prince Charming butterfly bushes (started blooming immediately), an orange butterfly weed plant and a black and blue salvia. I had ordered 4 plants from another nursery that happens to be in the Watchdog 30 and there was no comparison. Rose Franklin's plants were 3 times the size and much healthier. I got them less that a week after ordering them. Because it was the end of the season I got them at a very low price. Love this company!!!

Just received 5 Miss Molly Butterfly bushes and 2 Swamp Milkweed I ordered from Rose Franklin. Plants are healthy and robust.... highly recommend.

Ordered this year. Plantts arrived well packaged. The perennials, hibiscus and buddleias I ordered are taking off and growing well in my yard.

A few years ago Monarchs stopped showing up in my butterfly garden. After 30 years of raising, tagging and advocating for this butterfly I was shocked. What would I do about my summer workshop with families? I began ordering larvae from Rose Franklin's. They come packaged with extraordinary care. The plants arrive like they just left the greenhouse and are loaded with eggs and/or larvae. The small pots are wrapped in plastic and there is a mesh covering over the leafy part of the plant so everything is clean and fresh. Complete instructions are included with special attention to the welfare of the Monarchs. Then, all of this is neatly packaged in a priority box which is well sealed and padded for complete protection of the precious contents. I would recommend Rose Franklin's for one stop shopping for everything "butterfly". Absolutely the best!

This was my first order with this vendor. I was a little skeptical of the method of order and payment but took a leap of faith. I only ordered 3 plants, bee balm, butterfly weed, and one I cannot remember the name of. The bee balm took off without a hitch, the butterfly weed struggled due to being unearthed repeatedly by the squirrels, but it's now growing.very quickly. The 3rd one is also growing well. I would use this company again but be prepared to wait for shipment.

My shipment of six Montauk Daisies came in yesterday (Friday, June 2nd, 2017).
And let me share that I was very, very impressed with what I got!
All six of them were well branched and just about 12 inches in height! Wow! I had just ordered and received six Montauk Daisies from another online company and theirs were single stemmed and only about 5 inches high.
And the way in which they were shipped… on their sides in a long box… nice. I was floored! Truly impressed… more like, amazed.
Now, why do I say this?
First…because I am a former professional Grower who is now retired.
Back in the 1980's I worked many years as the Head Grower at Loop’s Nursery out of Jacksonville, Florida and they were the largest operation in North Florida.
We grew high-end flowers for the florist trade. Everything from mums to poinsettias to gloxinias to whatever.
I am in my 60’s and have a seven year degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Florida.
Secondly, I have scanned the internet over the last 15 years trying to find unusual and different perennials for my one-acre garden here at my home in North Atlanta.
I have looked for material that the local wholesalers and retail outlets just don’t carry… or just don’t know about.
I have mail ordered flowering plants from east coast to west coast.
So, when I say that these Montauk Daisies were the best and the largest of ANY plants that I have ever ordered… that means a lot considering my history.
Rose Franklin have earned my respect. I will be back again.

I'm a new gardener, and wanted to create a butterfly garden in my backyard. Lots of online research sent me to Rose Franklin's site, and there I found a treasure trove of information and plants for sale. I bought her 'Fast Track to Butterfly Gardening' book,and found it to be an incredible resource. I also bought a bunch of different plants - milkweeds, turtleheads, and others - all of which arrived quickly and well-packed, and all have survived in my garden. Looking forward to expanding my butterfly garden in 2017, and will definitely be ordering many more plants from Rose Franklin's Perennials!

I have been ordering butterfly host and nectar plants from Rose Franklin for at least five years now, and it has always been a great experience. The plants I have received have thrived. More importantly, the website is a treasure trove of information for anyone new to butterfly gardening, as I was when I first ordered. I thank Rose Franklin, and so do the fritillaries, spicebush swallowtails, pipevine swallowtails, black and tiger swallowtails, giant swallowtails, silver spotted skippers, monarchs and other flying jewels, and all of their frequently adorable and/or amusing caterpillars who frequent my garden.

Posted on February 18, 2016, updated February 18, 2016
I am so glad to have found Rose Franklin's Perenials. I became a URI Master Gardener last year and was immediately eager to start a pollinator/butterfly garden. So I read books, ordered plants and seeds from so many companies that I lost count. Then I stumbled upon Rose Franklin's butterfly book. It was the most wonderful thing I had read on this subject - no fluff, no nonsense; every sentence breathes her personal joy and experience toward building a successful butterfly garden. I could not put it down. Then I was most pleasantly surprised that she also sells a lot of the plants that are found to be especially effective in the book. So I ordered - and the plants came in fresh, healthy and well packaged in large boxes. I am no stranger to mail ordering plants, seeds, (and lots of other stuff - too many - lol). And I must say Rose's plants were among the best (if not the best!). Every one was healthy - and very reasonably priced. Thank you, and Kudos to you, Rose!

I have been purchasing monarch caterpillars and milkweed from Rose for five years. She has ALWAYS done a fantastic job. She and her husband do nearly all the work in their lovely garden & supply business. I didn't realize this until I had the wonderful opportunity to visit her last summer and attend a butterfly garden seminar. Because she apparently works 16 hours a day in the summer, sometimes it's difficult for her to answer phone calls. She requested that people please email her instead. She is very prompt in responding! Absolutely one of the best places to order butterfly larva and plants from in the northeast!

I've been dealing with Rose Franklin's Perennials & Herbs for the past two years. I order a great deal of milkweed, and numerous other plants and bushes. Included in these are some of the most beautiful butterfly bushes you eveR did see! As a matter of fact, everything that I've ordered from Rose has been carefully packed and arrived looking just phenomenal. I've received prompt, excellent, customer service through emails or phone calls. Rose knows her stuff and I will certainly be ordering again and again!
Thank you Rose for going above and beyond!
Donna Malenich

I have been a Rose Franklin customer for 4 years, and all experiences have been 100% positive.

Four years ago I was an absolute beginner butterfly gardener. Now I am proficient at home and at the Sussex County, Delaware Master Gardener's demo garden (where I now tend the "Caterpillar Cafe'" and assist in the "Butterfly Garden").

I have received incredibly healthy plants, monarch eggs and caterpillars. The Rose Franklin website provides highly useful information and fact-sheets. And Rose, or members of the staff, have sent follow-up e-mails to confirm products ordered, desired delivery dates, 'how-to' instructions, advice, goodwill, and encouragement.

I feel lucky to have found Rose Franklin's and recommend this supplier to others - - whether experienced gardener or novice.

Great quality plants, healthy larva delivered when expected. Knowledeable answers to questions via email; but, in emergencies (will aphids hurt monarch butterfly larva?) she will return a phone call. Looking forward to our 4th? 5th? year ordering from Rose.

I've been ordering plants and caterpillars from Rose Franklin for about 3 years now and always received excellent specimens, but this past year she really outdid herself. I had previously e-mailed her asking about raising Gas plant and why is it so terribly difficult to find. Well her plant website stated that she didn't have any gas plants for sale but with 1 of my orders she dug up 2 from her own garden and included them into my shipment! If that's not going above and beyond what is?

Have purchased several varieties of milkweed over several seasons for our school butterfly garden. Their plants are reliably strong, clean and fresh (I've received weak plants and even some with aphids from other purveyors). They pack with care, and once, when I had plants remain in the box for more than a day in hot weather (my fault, not theirs) the plants survived, and are thriving now in our garden. Rose Franklin's is my go-to nursery.

Rose Franklin has become a trusted friend of our garden, and our effort to raise Monarch (and other) butterflies.The quality of the plants is very high, the caterpillars are exceptional, and delivers as quoted. They (she) have raised our butterfly IQ significantly.

I had a great experience this year with Rose Franklin Perennials in my first year of butterfly gardening. I had three different shipments of swamp milkweed, tropical milkweed, and hairy ball milkweed. Rose shipped these in 3 separate orders as they were available and timed them to arrive when when I would be at home (i travel a lot on business). The plants arrived well packed, very healthy, and took off immediately after transplanting. The prices were very reasonable and it was clear that Rose's staff had gone to great pains to provide only the best plants, each well packed. Later in the year, Rose sent 30 healthy monarch butterfly caterpillars in great condition. I had 100% success rate with this batch, all thirty pupated, hatched and were successfully released. My neighborhood was thrilled to witness this process. My granddaughters insisted we order a second batch and we had near perfect success again. Rose and her staff could not have been more helpful, providing prompt service, and friendly advice on numerous occasions when I would call her with questions. She is very busy, but always took the time to help me out. You will not go wrong with Rose. She will go the extra mile for her customers. You will get top quality plants/butterflies at good prices and Rose will work with you to make sure deliveries meet your schedules. I am looking forward to our second butterfly season in 2016 with Rose and highly recommend her company.

I placed an order online for Monarch caterpillars on July 24, 2015, with Rose Franklin's Perennials. On August 4th I received an email from Rose that my order had been shipped. Two days later the package was delivered by USPS, the contents in perfect condition. Of the 72 caterpillars that I received I released 61 healthy adult Monarch butterflies, many of them tagged in support of the Monarch Watch Program at the University of Kansas.

I have been a customer of Rose Franklin for about eight years, and during that time have placed over a dozen orders. Each and every time the nursery stock and other products that I have purchased from her has arrived in a timely manner, was extremely well packaged and in excellent condition. My butterfly garden which is certified as a Monarch Waystation by the Monarch Watch Program is comprised almost exclusively of her plants. Some of my friends are certified Master Gardeners, and they often comment positively on the quality of the plants in my garden and ask where I purchased them.

I have been gardening for over 65 years, and whenever I have gardening needs, I now turn to Rose Franklin first for top quality products at very reasonable prices.

Posted on August 27, 2015, updated August 31, 2015
I ordered milkweed from Rose Franklin last year. At first she said she didn't have any, then she said she could send rootstock for common milkweed which she got from another supplier. I was happy to have it and planted it and watched it spread but wondered why the Monarchs flew right past it to the swamp milkweed I had. Finally I got an ID on the stuff -- it is not common milkweed, it is Dogbane. I emailed Rose Franklin and she said that another customer also told her this.(Maybe she could have alerted everyone she sent it to? just sayin...) I'm sorry I'm such a newbie at butterfly gardening and took forever to find out what this stuff really was. I sent Rose copies of her original emails to me. But for some reason she can't find my actual PayPal order. She has asked ME numerous times why she can't find my order. I have shown her the email that says she was sending the stuff. How do I know why she can't find her own records? Who would make this stuff up? She seems unconcerned that I have a horrible invasive all over the place thanks to her. Her customer service stinks.

"On Dec 26, 2015 10:08 AM, Rose Franklin's Perennials & Herbs (Butterfly Bushes.com) responded with:

Like most companies, we ask to see the original order form before replacing merchandise. You said you placed your order via PayPal (using the online shopping cart) but I found no record of this order when I searched PayPal for either your name or email address. I wondered if the order might have been placed in another name or using a different email account. I was simply trying to find the order form to verify how many plants you had ordered so I knew how many to replace. And I told you from the beginning that I was going to replace the plants!"

On May 10, 2015 I ordered 16 Tropical Milkweed plants and received a confirmation indicating the plants weren't ready and would ship in June. Sure enough, in June I received notice that the plants would ship. I was very pleased by how large and healthy the plants were ... and packed perfectly for shipment. They took off quickly after I planted them and I've now seen Monarch butterflies in my garden for the first time. As Rose claims, these are a favorite for laying female Monarchs ... with about 20 times as many eggs as I've found on the Swamp Milkweed in my yard. Great plants, great price, great service.

I just spoke on the phone with Rose, as I was trying to order some butterfly larvae, and I ended the call feeling disrespected and hurt. Bottom line - I was treated very rudely. It may have been a short 2 minute call, but it was enough to throw off my morning and send me here to write my first review of any business EVER.

Now, who knows what Ms. Rose was going through this morning - maybe she's having a bad day! Nonetheless, I treated her respectfully and only with good intention. I did not receive the same. I was clearly confused with some of the information on the website (it happens to the best of us), and instead of returning the standard of nicety that I had first established, Rose became undeservedly frustrated with me, scolded me, and hung up the phone, after an abrupt and hostile goodbye.

I only hope that Ms. Rose will come across this review, as my intent was to inform her on the effects that her attitude has on others. I strive to always treat others fairly and warmly, and I do not appreciate it when I receive treatment far from that. If you hold these same standards for yourself, I do not recommend interacting with this business.

7/24/2015

"On Dec 26, 2015 10:36 AM, Rose Franklin's Perennials & Herbs (Butterfly Bushes.com) responded with:

I did finally come across your review: now, during the off season.
As I recall, I was very busy the day you called. The staff here is extremely busy from mid April until mid October, but that day was extraordinarily busy because we were preparing for open house the next two days.
You wanted for me to explain why we could not ship Monarch larvae to Texas. I replied that we did not have a permit from the USDA to ship to Texas, and that you would have to obtain caterpillars from someone who did have a permit to do that.
On our web site, I clearly list, in red lettering, the states we do have permits to ship to, and thank goodness, most people see that.
I also ask on the web site that people email, not call, with questions and comments during the hectic shipping season, so I can respond when I have the time to do so. And I do answer questions and reply to comments every evening (often after 10 PM) and every morning (generally before 7 AM)."

I was excited to find an online source for a plant I've been looking for and ordered immediately using my smartphone. The next day I received a Paypal refund -- minus $1 as a processing fee -- and a nasty note stating Rose Franklin doesn't ship to my state, instructions on reading fine print, along with some other unpleasantries. Having never experienced an issue with shipping plants to my state, I revisited the site using a full sized computer. The fine print did state that Rose F doesn't ship to my state; however, she listed the states she doesn't ship to (almost all) instead of listing the states she doesn't ship to (would be a much shorter list). I can see how this might be confusing; however, I didn't even see the list on my smartphone.

I emailed Rose Franklin expressing my disappointment with her lame, and extremely rude, customer service. Luckily she wasn't authorized to charge for her precious time to respond to my email. All-in-all, it was well worth the $1 to get screamed at by an uptight old bitty. This person and company doesn't understand customer service in the year 2014... reviews like this one are a good way to spread the word.

Based on the negative way Rose Franklin treated me, I wouldn't give this company my business... even if I did live in one of the two states she ships to. Make sure to read the fine print and don't poke the hornet nest that is Rose Franklin... unless you have a dollar to spare and want to yelled at by a senile old coot.

I recently placed an order with this company after seeing the positive comments on Dave's Garden. My order was processed and shipped the same week of purchase. I received several emails informing me of the placed order, expected ship date, and when the plants were shipped. The plants were delivered yesterday (July 21st) and I was thoroughly pleased with the quality of the material. I thought the plant prices were very reasonable and far cheaper than I expected for the high quality of material I received. The quality of plants was so much greater than items sold by more "popular" nurseries.

I ordered two garden phlox, two pink butterfly bushes, and two blue veronica. I know it's not a big order, but Rose Franklin had what I wanted (and so much more, but some of those items were out of stock). I love her knowledge and enthusiasm for butterflies in general. Not enough people appreciate them. I truly think it speaks greatly of her character.

I will know doubt be ordering from this company in the future. I love the selections and information, and the great quality they provide.

I placed my order in May, and as anticipated, the plants shipped June 16. In the shipment notification email, they took the time to tell me that if this is a rural mailbox, to not let the plants sit outside for very long. I noticed there was no tracking number so I emailed back asking for one. My mail is delivered between 10am and 3pm and I work an hour from my house, so I thought I'd keep an eye on it and buzz home when they were delivered. Rose Franklin took the time to email me back...saying she didn't have the time to email 40 tracking numbers a day and wouldn't provide me with one. I emailed back, and her suggestion was to contact my local post office and have the plants held. By this time, the time she'd dedicated to three emails easily could have been spent sending me a tracking number.

To date, I still have no tracking number. This is horrendous customer service, and I will never be ordering from this company again.

Found reviews of the website that all sounded great and some items I wanted to add to our garden. Placed an order which was shortly canceled and was refunded minus a service fee. Website has a listing for states they only ship to which I missed. I don't know why - the items I was trying to purchase I have ordered from other websites. Also generally it is a "no ship" listing - every garden site I have visited does that and I did not see Texas so I placed an order. Would have liked to make a purchase and probably would have gone back for more otherwise.

I've ordered few plants this spring quite early , so it was saying they 'd start to ship in the beginning of May, but May came and I didn't receive my order. I was worry because we were leaving in June. I wrote an email and explained the situation. Rose answered at once and next day shipped the plants.
The plants ( polemoniums Brise d' Anjou and ferns) were in excellent condition
and I would not say small, comparing with other orders I got .
They are doing well in spite of letting them alone for couple months.
I want to say thanks to Rose for her consideration and wonderful plants.
Sure, would buy from this company again.

Good source for butterfly-attracting plants as well as other perennials. Plants are small but well-rooted. Prompt service and good packing.

I ordered a hard to find plant, Lysimachia atropurpurea. The starts are beautiful and already blooming. The plants were packed very well and arrived without damage. Rose communicates very well and I truly appreciate that.
I purchased the same plant locally and the plants for Rose are much better plants.
I would be happy to recommend this company and I will purchase from here again.

Ordered some Monarda and Hardy Geranium-let me say the prices are outstanding and the plants are very healthy, large and packaged very well. Nice selection and photos of selections are just right. Not overdone. Easy to navigate site. And instead of offering points or coupons-she sells her plants at an affordable price from the start. So refreshing to see a company not trying to rip you off. Shipping is also reasonable. Seriously going to change to Rose Franklin for many of my plants in the future, tired of paying top dollar and getting miniscule half dead plants at one place and paying double at another site. Highly recommend this company for perennials.

Posted on August 2, 2012, updated August 2, 2012
Ordered 20 Monarch larva/eggs and a jumbo sized Caterpillar Castle. Placed half of larva in Castle outside and half in my greenhouse in a terrarium with a screen top. Fed them new milkweed leaves every day and all but four eventually turned into butterflies. Amazing!

Outstanding Company.
Great communication about the order being received & then again when the ordered shipped.
Very well packaged and I was surprised at how large and healthy all the plants were.
I will gladly order from this company again.

I ordered four plants for my butterfly garden, including two swamp milkweed. They arrived very healthy and much larger than I expected. Six days after planting, I discovered a Monarch caterpillar on one of the plants. I am a very happy camper and will continue to use this company.

The plants I received were beautifully packed and very healthy. I was also very impressed with how quickly I received them!

Posted on June 22, 2011, updated June 22, 2011
Posted on June 12, 2011, updated June 22, 2011
I received 30 Homestead Verbena a couple of days ago and am very pleased. All plants are healthy and strong. They were packed very carefully. This was my first order and I will be placing another for sure!

Posted on May 2, 2009, updated June 8, 2011
I just received my first order from Rose and I was very happy
with all my butterfly plants! Her prices are great and the plants are healthy and very well rooted. I can't wait to see them grow in my garden! Thanks Rose, I'm looking forward
to receiving my second order.

This year is my sixth year ordering from Rose's perennials. I cannot rave enough about how healthy the plants are and how incredibly large they grow. I have mostly ordered different types of butterfly bushes but I also have ordered some other perennials as well. They are packed very, very well.

The strange thing is, I left a review and an update a couple of years ago and they aren't displaying in the list of reviews. I saw them there at the time.

I know they couldn't have been deleted for cause as they were very positive!

Posted on May 12, 2011, updated May 19, 2011
I ordered 4 Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet' in April from Rose. I was immediately informed that they would not be ready for shipping til early May, which wasn't a problem for me. When the plants arrived, they had been so well packed and looked healthy and happy! From the looks of them, I expect no problems. I will first give them a period on the porch to readjust to the sunlight before transplanting. I also have to say that the shipping costs were much more reasonable than recent orders with other companies! All in all, an excellent ordering experience.

Excellent quality plants shipped quickly! Friendly and informative E-mails. Awesome experience! I was a little spooked about
Mail order plants after some bad buys earlier this year, but I would order from Rose Franklin Perennials again with out hesitation!!

Excellent quality plants - some of them nearly full-grown.
The order was shipped very quickly, and all plants were very well packaged.
Only 10 days after planting, several of the plants are flowering already.
I highly recommend them.