They certainly made up for it!

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Late last year, I had to remove a poorly Eleagnus…some of you may remember my mentioning it before. Well, it left a large space, so I actually drew up a planting plan!

I used the coldest months to list the plants I wanted within my chosen colour scheme, and to track them down either locally, or in some cases, by mail order.

In the early spring, after I’d prepared the ground, I waited eagerly for the exciting boxes to arrive. It wasn’t long before they did.

Then I placed them and planted the bed up. I wanted it to look good for the paying public who would be coming in June for the first time, as well as giving colour right through the growing season.

That’s why I ordered a Lavatera called ‘Lisanne’, which is white flowered, and three deep purple Phlox called ‘The King’.

Imagine my horror when the first flower on my Lavatera opened!

Does that look white to you? I already have a pink Lavatera right next to this one – it’s pretty similar! I was not happy!

Then things got worse! I had also planted those purple Phlox – and they flowered in July – but certainly not purple, as planned!

So I rang the Nursery and complained. They were very sorry! I sent them photos of the plants in flower, and was promised a call back from the owner….so I waited patiently…and then rang again. I was told that they had all my details and I was ‘on top of the pile’ to be dealt with.

I was not particularly concerned, as I knew them to be a reputable Nursery – but two months went by with no communication, and no response to a follow-up email I sent.

I then decided to add up the cost of the ‘wrong’ plants, and to put in another order to that value – four plants, all off my ‘wish-list’. I did this by email, and then by ‘snail-mail’.

It took yet another phone call to them last week for action to be taken!

But HOW they have made up for all that delay and their mistakes!

A large, exciting box arrived this morning!

It was heavy – and packed beautifully. I delved inside, and kept the straw – that might come in handy for protecting vulnerable plants in the cold weather.

Hey! That’s more than four plants! There was a note in the box, too. It says that they’ve sent me a ‘box of goodies’ as an apology, and they’ve put in some unusual plants for me – some of their favourite ones!

So what did they send me?

I had asked for Patrinia scabiosifolia, Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Loraine Sunshine’, Dicentra ‘Red Fountain’ and guess what – another Geranium! G. wallichianum ‘Crystal Fountain’. They sent all but the Dicentra – that was out of stock, but they made up for that by sending three other Dicentras – D. macrantha, and two little pots of D.formosa ’Cox’s Dark Red’.

A Heucherella – ‘Tapestry’ – I have this already, but I love it, so I certainly don’t mind a second one in the garden!

A Galega, called ‘Duchess of Bedford’ which has bi-coloured flowers,

Well – you can see what this is, from the label! I have a different Melittis, which thrives in my shady border – so I shall love this different coloured one!

I was jumping up and down to find this next pot included! It’s a Hepatica nobilis – called ‘White Forest’.. I grow Hepaticas, but mine are blue! They flower in late winter in the shade – and I just love them.

Hepatica nobilis

But the last one is even more special – I had to look it up on the net, as it’s not in any of my books. It must be unusual!

It’s called ‘Marshallia mohrii’ syn. grandiflora. I couldn’t believe its common name – it’s called ’Barbara’s Buttons’!!!

Now isn’t that appropriate…….

They certainly made up for those ‘wrong’ plants – and the long wait, didn’t they!

30 Nov, 2009
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Comments

Aster

It certainly pays to complain and stick at it ! Well done I look forward to seeing your photo's of these in flower :)

30 Nov, 2009

Sanbaz

they sure did barbara, well done, hope it didnt spoil the border to much with wrong plants,, did you leave them in or move them when you realised the wrong colour,
love your new plants though :o))

30 Nov, 2009

Louise1

Well done :-))))))

I am 'so' pleased this is now sorted out and ...... that you've got some extra goodies too, Barbaras Buttons is something special eh?? :-)))))
I'll look this up because it's new to me too.

30 Nov, 2009

Sanbaz

barbara`s buttons is lovely, just looked it up, attracts butterflies to, even better :o)

30 Nov, 2009

Jacque

Go Spritz :) Im so plezd u was sent some super plants roll on Summer 2010 so we can all enjoy them :)X

30 Nov, 2009

Toto

Another lovely blog and a great result. Well done Spritz.

30 Nov, 2009

They certainly made up for it!

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