J. Parker Dutch Bulbs and Plant Specialist

[Sweetleaf]

Just going on the state of the one example you are showing, I think I wont be bothering with J.Parkers either :
As for the others, I cant believe the drop in standards, they used to be an excellent company!

[madonplants]

May 21, 2008 22:43:45 GMT 1 Sweetleaf said:

Just going on the state of the one example you are showing, I think I wont be bothering with J.Parkers either :
As for the others, I cant believe the drop in standards, they used to be an excellent company!

They might have been ages ago, but when I ordered from them about 5/6 years ago, I got similar results. They had a thread on the Beeb messageboard (sorry Sleepy) about the company and someone who used to work for them tried to stick up for the company. Though he did say selected plants were held in a holding area and sometimes forgotten about! Why send them out then?

[4pygmies]

I've read all the bad feedback about them too on the Beeb but I must say, the plants I ordered in the Spring are all doing really well. I got a batch of perennials - Eryngium, Echinacea, Trifolium and several more and, although they looked a bit iffy when I unpacked them - they have all recovered and look very well now. (Still in pots though..... :)
I also bought a special offer of their Fritillary Snake's Head last year and they had a very good survival rate too - at least 80% I think - out of 300 bulbs.
So I prolly will order from them again.

[debidoos]

My mom ordered some plants from those a bit earlier in the year, she had some camellias and other bits and bobs, she was quite pleased with them although she said they were a bit on the small size.

[mickthecactus]

They look dreadful!

[mickthecactus]

Do you not think that as they are a bulb company other plants are likely to be 3rd rate?

I must say I rarely buy postal unless I'm absolutely certain of the supplier. I've done postal through the RHS and they've always been perfect.