Comments regarding Hortico Nurseries Inc.

Was referred to this website by a friend, so I decided to look through which companies I have dealt with, when I typed in Hortico I was shocked by the feedback that has been left for them, so I decided to leave my experience with them.

Now I did not deal with their mail order service, as I live in Hamilton I drove there, so this will deal with my experience as a walk-in customer. This was my first year as a customer of their's but will not be my last.
My experience there was excellent (even though it can get a bit muddy), it was so good I went there twice. Once in the spring, and then again around early summer.
I was looking to get some perennials for my new house.
Once I got there I had a general idea of what I wanted.
Once I got out of my car, and walked past their office I was greeted by their great staff, especially Chris. He was great! He asked what I was looking for, and I explanied my situation, and what I was looking for. He made some suggestions to some changes to some of the plants I wanted, as they wouldn't do very well where I wanted them to go. But he helped me pick out some great subs. And he took me through all of their greenhouses showing me where I could find the plants I decided on. Furthermore he helped me pick out the best plants, and explaining each plants needs along the way. Also answering all the questions I had. All the plants that I saw were in excellent condition, weeds were a bit of a problem, but was told that they were taking care of that. After choosing all my plants we went to the office to pay for my new plants. The girl behind the counter was also great, however I forgot her name. There were only two people in the offce, as it was a Saturday (had it explanied to me by the girl) The staff looked happy working together, and they seemed just as happy to help customers. I left there feeling great, had a great time, and my plants are doing great.

The second time I went there same story, great time, great plants, and importantly great service. The staff were great, Chris helped out again. One of the best staffers I've ever encountered at any nursery/greenhouse/plant store.

So if you do have the chance go to Hortico, the plants are good, service is good, and the prices are great. But remeber to come with a bit of time as it's quite large and there is alot to see.

This is a small company that truly loves creating and selling plants and wants to make available many fine but hard-to-find fine varieties. I know a lot about roses and these guys have rare access to some great European roses from Kordes and Poulsen (the world's best breeders). I have read the posts of some people that haven't had good experiences, but I believe this is a firm worth patronizing. They've promised to do better in their customer service, and they're worth ordering your roses from. If they were to not stay in business, it would be a real loss to the gardening public.

I've read all of the previous comments about Hortico and want to add my recent extremely positive experience, particularly in light of earlier transactions with them that unfortunately were less than satisfactory.

I recently received my latest order of 25 roses from Hortico, and based upon the greatly improved quality of the bare root plants received, the excellent packing, the shipment's on-time arrival and tremendously improved customer service (both by e-mail and on the telephone), I'm convinced that Hortico's new management team has already taken major steps to become a first-class supplier of roses that will be able to compete with the best of them. I welcome this development, as Hortico offers many roses that are unavailable elsewhere. Now, hopefully, first-class customer service and first-rate product quality will go hand in hand with the fine selection of roses that they offer.

I loved ordering from Hortico via phone after searching their extensive online catalog in 2003 and had a group of roses delivered as a gift and was very happy with the entire process & look forward to ordering more! great selection and service for me as I called all over florida and no other rose company would assist me with my requests. Ask to work with John Vanderkruk if you have any questions. Excellent customer service via phone and email. They shipped & arrived when they told me they would, when all other companies will not ship at all during fall/winter.

I was extremely pleased with my 1st dealings with Hortico. I placed my order for 8 rose bushes on November 18, 2003. I was notified within 1 day that two of the roses I ordered were not available (both were the same variety) I had my REVISED order confirmation on the 20th, 2 days later. I requested Fall shipping with a ship "window" between 11/18/2003 and 12/07/2003. Good Enough. I realized on 12/10 that they should have been shipped. I wrote the office at Hortico late in the day as to inquire if my roses had been shipped. (more anxious than anything) I received a reply the NEXT day, Dec. 11th, that due to bad weather they had been shipped the 9th. My order came a few hours later, December 11, 2003, perfect timing for weekend planting. All 8 roses were tagged and were dormant, healthy and green. I counted between 5 and 11 branches on each bush, just beautiful. They were bundled nicely and the roots were surrounded by a lightweight, wet potting soil-like mix. Just Beautiful. I am sure I will order from Hortico again, as soon as I can make some room for more plants. The website is fantasic and it is very easy to use and order from. Thanks to all at Hortico for a wonderful buying experience. Sincerely, Jay

I have ordered many times from Hortico. They have many hard to find roses and I consider them an invaluable source for roses. I have never had a problem with the roses I have ordered from them. I have placed orders 3 years in a row for a total of 40+ roses. True their started eyes are small but in my garden their growth rate well makes up for any difference.

Have twice ordered approximately 25 roses. They have the most comprehensive selection available in Canada, with a very detailed catalogue. All roses arrived on time and in excellent condition. All were true to name with one exception, and it turned out to be better than the plant I had ordered. Extremely knowledgable if you talk to one of the managers. Had asked for their best yellow Hybrid T explaining I live in zone 3b, and they recommended a variety Berolina. The 3 plants I ordered as a result still outperform most of the roses in my garden. My first choice for a Canadian grower.

Can't post a real opinion right now since I didn't get my roses yet and I oredred a lot! Customer Service could be better since they never responded to my e mails, asking about a shipping details. Oh well, I will wait and see!

Last spring I ordered several- a lot of perennials from this company, I must say, the plants arrived in very good shape, good size, etc. Two of the plants were on backorder which they shipped to me this past fall in time for planting, they too were lovely.
They were also very good at their office about emailing me promptly when I had any questions.
I do plan on ordering from them again-

I ordered too many roses from Hortico. They all arrived in good condition. The roses were bound together, in a black plastic bag-bare root, but with some moist potting type mix. I couldn't get them all planted immediately, so some of them died. My fault, not theirs. I wont know whether or not they're mislabled till they bloom. I'm very pleased with my purchase!I would have had to order from one half dozen nurseries, to obtain the unique selection that I got in one order from Hortico. (No one else had Rembrandt)I'm very "thumbs up" Hortico.

Ordered about a dozen rose plants and over 100 perennials from their catalogs. All but one rose was in excellent condition and grew well last year. I had very good service from them and have recently had an e-mail reminding me (!) that they will be replacing that one rose this spring. Excellent pricing. I always pick up my orders personally and have been ALWAYS very pleased. Their rose selection is superb. I recommend Hortico to anyone.

We have received plants from Hortico Nursery for the past few years and have been completely satisfied. Ordering by fax is much better than phone! It is good to specify when one does not want substitutes because they match the closest variety. Hortico has an exceptionally large variety of unusual and hard to find plant material. Hortico's packaging is great and via UPS. I also hear they are planning to come on internet--we can't wait!