Mail order plants: Plant Delights Nursery

Last week was a busy time with plants from multiple nurseries all arriving in short order. We were having cold weather and rain so they all were unpacked in the front hall and left there until I could plant them once the weather improved a bit. This is the third in my series of reviews of my experiences with mail order nurseries. You can find links to the earlier reviews at the bottom of this post.

Plant Delights Nursery, Raleigh, NC 

PDN sent me an email with tracking number to alert me to my plants' pending arrival via FedEx. I've ordered from PDN in the past but not for a number of years so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. First of all, I loved the hand holds that were cut into the sides of the box making it easy to lift. Shipping growing plants is an art and PDN has a terrific system. Note my order number written on the box so the packer can easily keep track of the box and the order form. Also notice the PND paperwork inserted between the packing sections.

Check out how this system works. Can you see the narrow cardboard "straps" holding the plants in place? The big box holds four separate containers. Each set of two are facing each other with one pair of backs butting up to one another, and the other back sides against the exterior walls of the big box.

Here are the four containers after I've removed them from the big packing box.

This is a lot of engineering and cardboard but look at how great these plants look.

This picture shows how the cardboard "straps" fit into those slots on the back and pieces on the corners jut in to anchor the pots in place.

Most of the plants I ordered from PDN were priced similarly to what I would pay locally — if I could find them. But the two Epimediums and the 'Spotty Dotty' Podophyllum were definitely pricey. The plants are good sizes and arrived in top condition, so I am happy to pay what they cost and to pay for such a superb shipping set-up. 

The plants I ordered from PDN include Tanacetum vulgar 'Isla Gold', Asplenium scolopendrium 'Hokkaido Gem' and 'Hokkaido High', Dryopteris australis (2), Carex divulsa, and Epemediums 'Splish Splash' and zhushanense.

. . .

Find my earlier reviews below:

Odyssey Perennials

Far Reaches Farm

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

They do have a great set up for shipping. I would like one each of your plants. Nice selections. Which is the big leafed plant? It doesn't look familiar to me.

[Linda from Each Little World]

Lisa — ​It's a Chinese Mayapple called Spotty Dotty.

[Erin @ The Impatient Gardener]

Spotty Dotty is fabulous! You have to admire the kind of engineering that goes into a shipment like that. Nicely done, PDN!

[Loree / danger garden]

Wow, that's fabulous. I continue to be amazed at the ability for nurseries to ship plants and have them arrive in such good condition.

[Linda from Each Little World]

Erin and Loreee — Even though one is obviously paying for that great packaging, if you are going to buy mail order plants I figure you want them to arrive in perfect condition.

[rusty duck]

Impressive stuff. That would make me feel confident the plants would arrive in good condition.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

Exciting times! Those plants do look very healthy. I just received an order from Bluestone Perennials, and they were equally healthy/nicely packed. Enjoy!

[Peter/Outlaw]

Good to know that PDN is still doing a great job of packing their plants & of course I'm thrilled to see that you've got Spotty Dotty!

[Pam/Digging]

I've always had a good experience with Plant Delights. If you're ever in Raleigh, their display gardens are wonderful to visit too.