Sarah Raven Reviews

I had ordered several types of plants and it was one problem after another with poor quality. Dead plants that had obviously not been good had been sent and had no chance of surviving, one had a sort of sawfly problem. They kept replacing them as each type still was awful. One came pouring with water out of it, so must have been soaked to get it wet again, The boxes were strong enough and plants secure in them. I was getting more and more fed up each time as it was all types in my order that had problems except for the Alstroemeria only one that did not need replacing. In the end they finally got me better plants but no idea what has happened to the low growing purple buddleia it looked quite hefty and with some weeds in the pot so much older not seen sight of it in my display pots. I think they finally got fed up with me complaining and paid me off with most of the payment I had made. I love their catalogues and showing how we all can achieve similar looks and as we are both experienced gardeners, one by trade, we knew when we were getting poor service. I have had seed that did not germinate or just a few, from a previous order, the likes of calendula, nigella, verbena come to mind that should grow like mad and just put it down to poor growing year even some in seed trays in the greenhouse. But along with some other seed merchants it may be one to not return to. Whether I may risk buying plants again is going to be how desperate would i be for that plant if not seen elsewhere for sale. I hope they get their act together as they had all the media hype and prices to match that we would be getting great plants and it was a let down when one can buy 29p packets of seeds from a supermarket that all germinate along with some great plants if bought as soon as they are delivered.

Have just taken delivery of 3 x 3cm pots of alchemilla mollis. I knew they wouldn't be large but they each have only two leaves and are only 1-2 inches in height. They look like plugs which have just been potted on without the root system you'd expect from a plant in a 3cm pot. They also arrived 2-3 weeks after the original delivery date that was advised. Added to which it was very difficult to get the plants out of the box without soil from the pots spilling everywhere. Overall very disappointing.

I was worried about ordering after reading some of the reviews. I thought I would buy a few plants in the sale to see how I got on.
The plants were delivered very efficiently by Yodel, and I was very pleased with their quality - they did not look like sale plants and arrived in good condition.
I have now ordered twice more - shrubs and perennials - all in the sale and all very good plants!
I have been pleasantly surprised and I am glad I purchased from Sarah Raven.

At the end of last year I spent £179.00 on 11 perennials and 3 packets of seeds. Most of the plants arrived as the tiniest seedlings I have ever seen and hardly any survived despite daily care in our makeshift 'plant nursery'. The only item that was as described and grew was a packet of cornflower seeds. Awful, substandard quality, avoid at all costs.

Purchased several perennial plants from Sarah raven. Just received my recent order and the plants are outstanding!!!! Packaged well in-peak condition . Excellent service many thanks

Most unfortunately, after years of loyalty and buying from Sarah Raven, as well as leaving raving reviews, we are going apart as of today simply because of Yodel.

Unfortunately, they now have an EXCLUSIVE contract with Yodel and the deliveries with Yodel are blood boiling experiences.
Yodel drivers don't knock on the door and leave the parcels for passersby to help themselves with.
Today was one of those days. yet again, and most unfortunately they had ran out of the desired seedlings/plants. So no replacements. For those who are into gardening, they understand what it means to miss a season.
Chasing Yodel to help understand what happened or get any evidence that the parcel has been delivered is a blood boiling experience. Getting into their chat's personnel is another nightmare. Not worth it to be honest.
Unfortunately, I no longer can recommend Sarah Raven.
Good luck Sarah Raven with your recent endeavour with Yodel.

I am really really disappointed. I bought at 12/15 different seeds, (I can't be precise as one is a mix) and only one germinated

Pretty disappointed .
I bought dinner plate dahlia tubers few months back . Only one has grown to any decent size the rest are very small actually smaller than standard size plants out my initial order I have 3 plants not very good really .

I buy from SR for years, plants and seeds.
Seeds always germinate, it means that they are fresh and healthy. Plants are very well and securely packaged. I am very happy with every purchase. Receive plenty of offers as well. Another thing which I like about the brand is they have great range of my favourite type of plants, for natural, prairie style garden. Never disappointed with the shop ?

Ordered three young pelargonium plants for £14-97 I could not believe my eyes when I opened the box, they are that small it’s ridiculous. To say I am disappointed is an understatement. If this is the quality of their plants , I will not be ordering again

I ordered various plants. All deliveries delayed by weeks even months. Shocking quality of plants.nweak and died. Avoid at all costs

Beautifully packaged and well established plants, quickly delivered. Great choice of perennials.

I've had two different lots plants recently from Sarah Raven that were equally disappointing - all were small, unhealthy-looking, and totally rootbound. One plant was in a large pot, but with a weirdly small amount of compost. I'll have to see if I can nurse them to health now they're planted out, but they've had a pretty bad start to life.

Very disappointing experience with SR. I ordered the summer fruit bowl collection , which was described as 15 rooted cuttings. When it arrived most of the cuttings were dead or dying, and I would not describe any of them as rooted. When I complained about this SR sent a further three nemesia plants which were long and leggy. One has subsequently died and the others are not a picture of health. I think there are better plant suppliers out there.

I have ordered quite a few items from SarahRaven over the past 18 months. I have finally decided to give up with this company after realising about 1/3 of what I order isn’t high quality. For example, the foxgloves grew to only 10cm and 1 plant just died before it flowered. I’ve just realised my order for Ammi visnaga never arrived- because orders arrive so late and in dries and drabs it’s hard to keep tabs. This item is now out of stock. A Chimonanthus Praecox I ordered last year is long dead despite my care. Unfortunately these are examples of regular occurrences. Very well marketed brand with gorgeous catalogues that fail to deliver on time, or at all, very mediocre standard and very well over priced. Avoid.