Complaint Review: Direct Gardening Royal Dutch-Burgess Seed-Richard Owen Nursery-Four Seasons Nursery-House Of Wesely - Internet

Yes the Hemlocks were generally planted in the same area (There for a Hedge) So I really have no choice on that. The soil here in South Dakota is very fertile nice black well drained top soil (I say top soil but it's not like a layer of nice soil only on the top, it goes all the way down below my basement) It's very nice dirt and can grow just about anything, as I have never had any problems with plants and flowers I have purchased at my local nursery.

The problem "lies" pun intended with Direct Gardening and the plants they send. 144 Hemlocks might sound like a lot but the fact is that I could fit the entire shipment of hemlocks in 1 five gallon bucket. All 144 of them may have weighed 3 or 4 pounds. Hemlocks as you may know are evergreens and many of the past shipments the needles were dried up and already falling off when they arrived. Insects that effect Hemlocks are not often found in my area. I sure wish it was something as simple as that. I did get replacements for the other items that died (Ivy', other shrubs and some fruit trees) but I haven't the time or man power to keep planting hundreds of plants before they are damaged or die. Especially when they arrive in such bad condition. The bulk of the cost was the Canadian Hemlocks and that is my main concern. I have not found anything on their site that would suggest that there is a limit to the guarantee it only stated that items that do not survive within 1 year will be replaced upon request with the original shipping label. Now they have just stopped responding to my emails and I have not received any more replacement shipments. I have the Certified mail receipt a copy of the request for replacement letter and a copy of the original shipping label as I had to send the original shipping label back to them with my request, so at this point I am filing a complaint with the IL BBB, IL Attorney General, the FTC, and the South Dakota Attorney General.

I too have ordered plants and bulbs from Direct Gardening.  I have had only one plant not survive and I didn't bother to even have it replaced since it only cost me a few dollars.  I was thinking about your situation and how it is the same plants that keep dying.  (I have now reread your report and now see all the plants died.)  Are you planting them in the same area each time?  If so, maybe the soil needs amending.  Is the lighting adequate for the hemlock?  They do not like emissions from cars; perhaps you have them planted near a garage?  I also know they are susceptible to insects and do not do well in high humidity.  I'm sure you know how to take care of a hemlock or you would not have ordered it.  I am just trying to suggest things you may not have thought of. 

I don't know much about Direct Gardenings return/warranty policy as I did not choose to send my plant back.  I wonder if you are limited to how many times you can have a plant replaced.  It does seem a little strange to me that none of the plants lived.  Why didn't you get replacements for the others since you spent so much money?  I sure would have.  I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience with them.  My experience was the total opposite.  I have a yard full of nice bushes and flowering plants.