Just got a catalog from Brecks and found some things I'd like to order. Any opinions on their plants would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rose

I don't know anything about them but I thought twice before ordering when I did a bit of research and read some reviews. Apparently there are a couple of plant companies under different names but all of the same corporation. You can read some reviews here:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/fo...

http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/...

Thanks! Don't think I'll take the chance!

I placed an order for six of the exact same lilies but got 3 of the one I wanted (all virused) and 3 that were yellow/orange. I'll never order from them again.

I've had mixed results from Breck's related companies, Michigan Bulb and Springhill. The peonies I ordered were just fine, but I would hesitate to order from them again just because they don't ship in a timely fashion. The last bulbs I ordered didn't arrive until the ground was frozen solid and I had to put them in a pot. No idea if they'll grow or not.

Add my two cents to the negative side here. I've been burned once, that's enough for my money.

Thanks for all the responses to my question. Pretty negative opinions, so I think I'll look for these plants at a reputable nursery.

Might be helpful if you mentioned what specific bulbs you were considering. Maybe someone could steer you to a good spot for the things you want.

Here is what I wanted to order from them:

Love Hearts dicentra, Zoey Rey Dahlia, Proycon Dahlia and Raspberry Mousse Toad Lily. Other than the hosta online retailers, I don't have much knowledge of other plant retailers reputations, so suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I ordered Zoey Rey dahlia from Swan Island, probably the largest of the dahlia nurseries (rather than a broker, like Breck's). I just checked and they do not carry Proycon, sorry.

The problem I see is that ordering each plant from a different nursery will cost a lot in shipping. Maybe there's a trusted source for both the toad lily and the dicentra. I hope someone will suggest a good company for you.

And do you have a Costco nearby? I just visited our local one and they had quite a few dahlias and they had some dicentra as well. Probably not the varieties you've mentioned, but it might be worth a look if you're a member. Very reasonable prices and the Clematis and Astilbe I bought appear to be nice and healthy.

No Costco close to me, but it's still pretty early for our nurseries and garden centers. I've only seen one greenhouse going up at the local Hy-Vee. Not sure why, but there doesn't seem to be a big variety of Dahlias in our area. I know it's too cold for them in the winter, but there are people like me that are willing to dig them and store them. I agree that the shipping would be expensive for different online retailers.

Rose

You might pop over to the Dahlias forum and see who's ordering what from whom. Of course, that COULD be dangerous...

Yes, I've already peeked a bit over there. And, yes that could be dangerous...lots of beautiful flowers discussed there. I don't need another addiction! But, I may check it out again to see if there's mention of reliable online nurseries. Has anybody ever heard of Ebert's Greenhouse Village? I was looking for the plants and they came up. Looks like a nice place, but couldn't find them in the Garden Watchdog. They had two of the plants that I wanted.

Rose

I liked the dahlias offered by Rivers Dahlias and bought a few of them this year.

This is where dahlia fanatics look to find a specific cultivar:
http://dahlias.net/dbiglist.ht...

Proycon is shown to be at Jan's Country Gardens:
(here's Proycon!) http://www.janscountrygarden.c...

I hadn't heard of Ebert's but loved their site. Well worth taking a chance when they have developed such a good site with so much good information! 'Love Hearts' dicentra is beautiful and so is the one above it on their dicentra page, 'Burning Hearts'!
http://www.ebertsgreenhouse.co...

Pirl,

I was impressed with their website and history. I think I'll give them an order and see how it goes. Breck's had Burning Hearts , too. It is a pretty one.

Rose

When they take that much time with their site it gives me faith the company is well run. Let us know how you like the plants when you get them.

I've never had a problem with Breck's but I rarely mail order plants so not much to compare it to. Bulbs came as ordered, at a good time to plant, and produced as shown. Shrug. I've taken advantage of their buy X dollars get X dollars free a few times.

Thanks Deb for a positive response! I noticed on the catalog that I can buy now and pay after I receive my order. I think I'll place a small order and see how it goes.

Rose

And the prices they're offering are rather attractive, so it might well be worth the risk. This is probably also a better time of year to order from them than in the fall.