Is Great Garden Plants Legit

If you’re looking to buy plants online, you’ve probably asked: is Great Garden Plants legit? Finding a trusted nursery is key for any gardener wanting healthy plants delivered to their door. This review looks at the company’s reputation, quality, and service to help you decide if they’re the right choice for your garden.

We’ll cover what they sell, how their shipping works, and what real customers say. You’ll get a clear picture of their strengths and where they might fall short. Let’s get started.

Yes, Great Garden Plants is a legitimate online plant retailer. They are a family-owned business operating since 2005. They have a physical nursery in Michigan and a strong online presence. Customer reviews across various platforms generally confirm they send real, live plants.

Their website is professional and secure for payments. They also offer guarantees on their plants, which is a sign of a company that stands behind it’s products. While no company is perfect, they have established themselves as a known source for garden perennials, shrubs, and trees.

What Does Great Garden Plants Sell?

Their focus is primarily on perennial plants, flowering shrubs, and small trees. They specialize in plants that are hardy and suited for many North American gardens.

Perennials: Coneflowers, hostas, salvia, and ornamental grasses.
Flowering Shrubs: Hydrangeas, roses, azaleas, and butterfly bushes.
Small Trees & Evergreens: Japanese maples, arborvitae, and dwarf conifers.
Plant Collections: Curated sets for sun, shade, or specific colors.

The Ordering and Shipping Process

Understanding how they ship live plants is crucial. Here’s a typical step-by-step journey.

You place your order on their website. They often ship based on optimal planting time for your zone.
Plants are grown, dug, and packed at their nursery. They are shipped bare-root or in minimal soil to save weight.
You recieve a tracking number. Shipments usually go via FedEx or UPS.
Your plants arrive at your door. It’s important to open the box immediately and plant them soon.

Packaging and Plant Arrival Condition

Most reviews praise their packaging. Plants are usally wrapped in damp paper and sealed in plastic to retain moisture. They are secured in the box to prevent much movement. It’s normal for plants to look a little tired after being in a dark box; this is called shipping stress. With proper care, they typically recover well.

Analyzing Customer Reviews and Complaints

Looking at feedback from many gardeners gives a balanced view. Positive comments often highlight plant variety and eventual growth.

Pros: Good selection of unique cultivars, healthy root systems upon arrival, plants thrive in the long-term, helpful customer service.
Cons: Smaller plant size than some expect, occasional shipping delays, some plants arrive dormant or slow to start.

A common point is that their plants are younger or “starter” size. This is standard for mail-order nurseries to ensure survival during transit. They grow quickly once established in your garden.

How Their Plant Guarantee Works

Their guarantee is a key part of their trust factor. They offer a 1-year warranty on most perennials, shrubs, and trees. If your plant fails to grow, you can contact them for a replacement or refund. You’ll need your order number and some photos. It’s important to follow their planting and care instructions for the guarantee to be valid. This policy shows they are commited to customer satisfaction.

Tips for Ordering Successfully

To have the best experience, follow these practical tips.

Check your USDA Hardiness Zone. Order plants that are rated for your zone or colder.
Read the plant description thoroughly. Note the mature size, light needs, and bloom time.
Be ready to plant when they arrive. Have your garden bed prepared or pots ready.
Water consistently after planting, especially in the first growing season.
Take pictures when you unbox your plants. This is helpful if you need to contact support.

Comparing to Other Online Nurseries

How do they stack up? Compared to big box stores, their plants are often healthier and more carefully grown. Compared to other online specialists, their prices are mid-range. They may not have the vast rarity of some collectors’ sites, but their selection is robust for the average to enthusiastic gardener. Their strong point is reliability for common and slightly uncommon garden favorites.

When to Look Elsewhere

Consider another source if you need a very large, instant-gratification plant. Also, if you are looking for annuals, vegetables, or tropical houseplants, this is not their main focus. For those, a local garden center or a specialty online retailer would be better.

Caring for Your Mail-Order Plants

The first few weeks are critical. Here’s a simple care guide.

Unbox Immediately: Don’t let the box sit in the sun or a hot garage.
Hydrate Roots: Soak bare-root plants in lukewarm water for 1-2 hours before planting.
Plant Promptly: Get them in the ground or a pot within a day or two.
Water Well: Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) for the first month.
Be Patient: Some plants may focus on root growth before showing top growth.

Final Verdict for Green Thumbs

For gardeners seeking quality perennials and shrubs, Great Garden Plants is a solid option. They are legitimate and trusted by many. The plants are healthy, the guarantee is strong, and they fill a nice niche between mass-market and high-end rare nurseries.

Your success depends on managing expectations. You are buying a young plant with great potential, not a full-grown specimen. With proper planting and care, these plants can become the backbone of a beautiful garden. They earn there reputation by providing solid value and standing behind what they sell.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Great Garden Plants a trustworthy company?
Yes, they are a real, established nursery with a physical location and a customer service team. Their one-year guarantee adds to their trustworthiness.

How are the plants shipped?
Plants are shipped bare-root or with minimal soil, which is safer for the plant during transit. They are carefully packaged to retain moisture.

Do the plants come big?
They often ship younger, starter-sized plants. This is normal for mail-order and allows for better transplant success. They will grow to full size with proper care.

What if my plant arrives looking dead?
Many perennials and shrubs are shipped dormant. Look for live buds and flexible stems. Soak the roots and plant it. If it doesn’t leaf out in a few weeks, contact their customer service with photos.

Can I choose my shipping date?
They often schedule shipping based on your climate zone and the best planting time. You can usually contact them to adjust the date if needed.