Claire Austin Hardy Plants Reviews 

206
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.7

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 41 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently mention that the plants arrive in fantastic condition, securely packaged in pots and modules to prevent any soil loss or damage during transit. People are also very pleased with the prompt delivery updates, the wide selection available, and the exceptionally helpful planting advice provided on the website. Some reviewers were not happy with the overall quality of certain plant orders they received. A few customers noted that specific items arrived very small, poorly potted, or in weak condition, resulting in plants that sadly failed to thrive or establish properly.

What people talk about most

Product

Users describe positive interactions with product, highlighting the excellent quality and healthy condition... See more

Quality

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of quality, expressing delight with the healthy and well-rooted... See more

Order

Reviewers express mixed feelings about their order experiences, often highlighting both satisfaction and... See more

Delivery service

Customers had positive experiences with delivery service, consistently reporting prompt arrival times and... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

1. Delayed delivery due to heat wave. Smart move from a company that cares about their product. 2. Incredibly well designed packaging. My neighbour had taken the package in as we were out for the d... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I ordered 3 x Leucanthemum x superbum 'Snowcap' in 9cm pots. They arrived well-packed with firm leaves and had been well-watered before dispatch. Although the plants were pot-bound, the tips of the ro... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Third order (one over a year ago, two in the last 3 months). Exceptional quality. Plants arrived well packaged and unharmed every time. Obviously they require planting out correctly, and nurturin... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Recently received 2 orders from Claire Austin plants all hardy perennials. Both arrived quickly and well packed to prevent any damage to the plants. The plants themselves were healthy. I repotted them... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Nursery
  2. Garden centre
  3. Seed Supplier

Written by the company

Claire Austin Hardy Plants is a specialist mail order plant nursery that's built it's reputation on supplying quality hardy perennials. The range spans everything from classic cottage garden favourites to more unusual specimens and includes hundreds of different varieties carefully selected for their garden performance. Decades of hands-on growing experience, propagating, trialing, testing and tending to plants has resulted in the knowledge that every plant we offer is worthy of it's place in the garden. We hold Plant Heritage National Collections of hybrid herbaceous peonies and bearded irises and have received numerous medals and awards at shows including gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The National Collections include hundreds of irises and peonies, including unusual varieties not commonly found in local garden centers or at other nurseries. Our careful, effective and secure delivery packaging using recyclable materials ensures the plants arrive in excellent condition and will thrive after planting. We hope that our website and personal customer service ensures you have an informative and enjoyable experience when placing your trust in our British, family owned nursery. We're delighted to share our knowledge and passion for plants with you!


Contact info

4.7

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

206 reviews

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No recent history of asking for reviews

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4.7

All reviews

(206)

26 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I bought eight geranium plants

I bought eight geranium plants, and when they arrived, was very surprised at how well they were packed, and how healthy they looked. I planted them straight away and within a couple of weeks they have thrived. I am very pleased with the first class service i received from them, " trusted and safe seller ", that i will be shopping with them again. Highly recommended.

23 July 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Do not recommend

Plants were extremely small with no root system. I had to keep them in the pots for almost 2 months to allow a root system to grow enough to plant them out. Given the price I think that is shocking. Despite that I did intend to order some more but everything is out of stock! So I tried Mac Plants instead. Wonderful - robust plants with well developed root systems that have doubled in size in a few weeks. The plants from Claire Austin are still struggling.

7 May 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service

Just planted out my newly arrived order. Excellent quality plants. I wish I had a bigger garden to fill with your plants but I will certainly be back when space allows! Thank you

10 March 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great selection

Have ordered twice, great selection, plants well packaged and appear in good condition. Really swift delivery. Only problem I've had is that rabbits in my garden have eaten some of the plants already so won't see them grow! Would recommend.

8 March 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I agree with others keep clear

I agree with others keep clear, go to Proctors Nurseries excellent quality and cheaper
Mr Austin can only be described as motor mouth but al least with a car you can switch it off not him though.

6 February 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Avoid!

As with it seems many people, I have found the customer service from Ms Austin appallingly bad.
The plants I purchased were not cheap and the delivery charge very much higher than anywhere else. The plants were small and looked poor, but I thought I’d give them a chance, six months almost, to no avail, they have not thrived and appear to be diseased. I have the same plant from elsewhere which has been growing beautifully for nearly two years! I sent images to
Ms Austin and received several emails which have bordered on offensive and of course no offer of recompense.
Please avoid this company as others have said, when things go wrong, you get no apology or replacement, just ill judged comments. The worst garden supplier I have ever had the misfortune to purchase from.

19 October 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I was a demanding customer

I was a demanding customer, as I realised after ordering, I would be away. I emailed to advise I hoped dispatch could be delayed and received a prompt and polite email acknowledging my request. Later,
I had an email to say plants had been dispatched and to expect in 24 hours
They duly arrived: 6 good sized plants, in perfect condition, in robust, supportive packaging. Will certainly be ordering again, as they are also great value. Lovely to support such a dedicated and passionate team
Thank You
Karen Grunwald

5 October 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have purchased from many online…

I have purchased from many online nurseries but have to say the Claire Austin plants I have received are far and away the best. Sturdy, green top growth and a really healthy root system. Many thanks. I will be back

27 September 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Claire Austin Plants

Just received my first order for hardy perennials from Claire Austin. Beautiful plants with superb packaging and delivered inj first class condition and on time. What more can you ask? Will certainly be making future orders with this sup[plier.

14 September 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent plants

I bought about 80 perennial plants from Claire Austin last year. The bulk in the Spring and remaining in the Autumn. They arrived well packaged and on time. There was one that did not have a developed root system which did not survive but I did not pursue this. The plants are small as will all that are sold in 9cm pots, but that's part of the fun tending them and watching them grow. I found the website very informative which meant although I had a planting plan in my mind I could substitute as required, however most of what I wanted was there. So a year/ 18 months later and it's looking good and the plants are all very healthy. I am sure it helps that they are grown outside so hardened off before they arrive. From my own experience I can recommend Claire Austin.

10 September 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional plants and exceptional service

I sent in an order to Claire Austin for 70 or so plants late lastTuesday. It was done somewhat nervously as I like to see what I'm buying, but at the same time wanted specific plants, all of which were available from the nursery. The order arrived just a couple of days later and I've spent a happy hour carefully unpacking them. To say that I was happy is an understatement, the quality of each and every plant was just FABULOUS. Having spent the day today planting, I am even more impressed; even though the plants were all in 9cm pots, the root systems were exceptional .... I now can't wait until next year to see the border in bloom. Thanks Claire Austin.

24 August 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very Satisfied Customer

Just received my second order of plants from this nursery and was not disappointed. The plant roots completely filled the 9cm pots and I am hopeful that they will establish themselves quickly for a lovely display next year.
This nursery supplies superbly packed plants proving it is possible.
I would highly recommend.

20 August 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A very happy customer

Great, prompt customer service, good plants and a timely dispatch (I received my plants within three days vs the anticipated 10). Will use again and have recommended to friends.

6 August 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Don't expect instant results

I have ordered from Claire Austin on numerous occasions and have always been satisfied. Sometimes the plants have not looked too good, especially towards the end of the growing season, but this is normal for perennials. In spring and early summer, once they are planted out and getting plenty of light and water they soon recover. I think the mistake some negative reviewers might be making is that they expect the plants to look like the ones in garden centres. You need to be patient, follow the instructions, and perhaps wait until the following year for the plants to start looking their best.

30 July 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Lovely plants and great customer service.

I ordered some perennial plants during the recent very hot weather. I was delighted when they arrived in super healthy, fresh condition. I also ordered some irises which I found out from the leaflet enclosed with my plants would not be suitable in my garden. A quick email and I was refunded for these plants that had not yet been shipped. Exemplary service - Many thanks!

25 July 2021
Unprompted review

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