I checked through the forum but didn't see a thread dedicated to where everyone gets their bulbs from.
I've got info on John Scheepers and Van Engelen but who else would you recommend?


Thanks

For anybody here in Canada ( I think they ship to the States too) I DON'T recommend Vesey's! This past year I received more wrong plants from them than I have in all the years I've been gardening combined. They have promised to replace some of the wrong plants (with what is yet to be determined, probably another wrong plant) but others they don't see what I'm complaining about. For example they advertised Lilium speciosum album and what I got is a Casa Blanca like hybrid.
" It's white so what's your problem" was their response.

Update Oct. 21, 2012
I finally got my (LAST & FINAL) order from them and true to form the daylilies I got were the most pathetic pure white tiny almost rootless daylilies I've ever seen. To give them credit yes they did send the replacements for some of the wrong plants but it will likely be a couple years before I find out if they are what they are supposed to be.

My preferred way of buying bulbs is to go to a garden Center and hand select what I want.
I have been fooled before by mail ordering bulbs.
I want to see the size of the bulbs myself.

Brian: I won't bother with Veseys and thanks for the heads-up.

Caroline: I typically can't find a good variety of bulbs when shopping locally so will be looking to do some online shopping this year and since fall is fast approaching, I'd better get my order in soon.

Great question! I love Van Engelen and have found them to be a reliable source of bulbs. I haven't ordered from Scheepers since I like to buy bulbs in bulk. Otherwise, I also like the following:

1. Brent and Becky's. A great selection of bulbs, including fall and summer blooming bulbs. Prices on the higher end but quality is superb.
2. Odyssey Bulbs. My absolute favorite "boutique" vendor. This place has bulbs for the collector and connoisseur, many of which are available no where else. Prices seem high but are actually quite reasonable given the rarity of the bulbs, the volume discounts and the free shipping. Quality is out of this world.

So, the above 3 are my favorites. A lot of people *LOVE* Old House Gardens but, at the risk of being lynched, they are not one of my favorites. True, they have a great selection of older commercial varieties, but their prices are astronomically high. Many things they offer can be purchased for much less money elsewhere and be of exactly the same quality. Even the ridiculously priced White Flower Farm sells some OHG varieties for half the price.

A case in point. Last fall, I ordered Lilium regale, Lilium speciosum rubrum and Lilium speciosum album bulbs from Old House Gardens. I really splurged on these because I thought I was paying for exceptional quality. Later, I decided I wanted a few more of each so purchased the same bulbs from Van Engelen for less than half the price of OHG. It was not even Van Engelen's end of season discounted price, either!

Well, surprise, surprise! The bulbs received from Van Engelen were exactly the same size and quality as those from OHG. In fact, the Van Engelen bulbs arrived in slightly better shape since they were in individual bags of 5 bulbs with peat moss to serve as padding, while the OHG bulbs arrived thrown together in a single plastic bag with no padding. Some of the outer scales of the OHG bulbs were bruised because of this.

There has been absolutely no difference in performance, height, healthiness, perfume, etc., between the bulbs from the two companies. I am nearly positive they get these bulbs from the same supplier. The only difference is that OHG repackaged them, attached a cute tag with planting instructions and then overcharged for them. Hmmmph.

Brent and Becky's I had not thought about. Will check out their site. Thanks.

i am doing a great co-op and have great prices very reliable sources Van Engelen and Scheepers i am working with 5 different venders and getting wholesale pricing


mike

The thread "Interest thread for fall planting bulbs,daffodils, crocus, tulips& more chefmike" in Classifieds and Group Buys forum

I buy bulbs from Brent&Beckies every year. This year I also ordered from Colorblends. They have the most amazing tulips!

http://www.colorblends.com/

Hi! I'm a southern gardener and have had great success with bulbs from Netherland Bulb Company as well as Breck's and Royal Dutch. If they can live through our TX heat, then they'll perform well for you too. Happy gardening!

Love those beautiful blues!

Thanks Debra! They're very refreshing and cool to the eye.

I tried Tulip World and the bulbs were great. Easy to order, good communication and when the bulbs arrived I was very impressed. We shall see what blooms next year

I've starred this thread so next year I can check all of them again.