Many customers say plants arrived healthy and well packed. Several praise a quick ordering process and fast delivery. A clear group of complaints describes missed deliveries, wrong items, and weak follow‑up. A smaller number report quick fixes, including replacements sent out successfully.
Examples from available reviews (Jun 2020 – Mar 2026).
Plants were excellent quality and carefully packaged.
“Excellent quality plants, carefully packaged.”
Lost order was promptly resent and replacement quickly supplied; reviewer satisfied.
“My order was lost, but on reporting this, a repeat order was sent out immediately.”
Delivery left parcel in pouring rain despite customer being home.
“Dreadful delivery - left next to front gate in pouring rain - we were in the whole time!”
Order parts missing, communication poor and refund unresolved, reviewer dissatisfied.
“I ordered 12 plants in total - 3 varieties of Osteospermum to fill a nice gap in my garden.”
Reviews describe two clear experiences: smooth fulfilment or difficult delivery. Positive accounts mention lost orders being resent and reported faults handled quickly. Negative ones describe parcels left in unsuitable places, wrong items arriving, and refunds being refused.
Several comments say items matched their descriptions and were good value for the quality. In the negative comments, dead or non‑growing plants make the purchase feel poor value. Value comes up less often than packaging and delivery.
Many buyers describe online ordering as straightforward, with product pages that are easy to follow. Phone ordering drew at least one negative comment about an unhelpful agent. A small number mention long gaps between dispatch and delivery.
Most feedback highlights plants arriving healthy and securely packed. Several reviews report plants arriving damaged, uprooted, or dead, as well as incorrect sizes. A few note duplicate items in pick‑and‑mix orders.
Some customers mention clear updates and helpful replies when issues arise. Others report web enquiries going unanswered, promised items not included, and patronising phone calls. These communication problems often sit alongside delivery or order‑accuracy issues.
The reviews contrast many five‑star experiences focused on plant condition and speed with multiple one‑star accounts centred on delivery and fulfilment failures. Outcomes seem to depend on how delivery goes and how problems are handled afterwards. Satisfaction varies noticeably from one order to the next.
For each review, the core experience based on original source reviews.
Sources: Trustpilot (40) · Reviews (8) · Reviews (1) · Quotes shortened · As of: March 2026
Wreath was impressive, smelt lovely and arrived well packed.
“left the house smelling lovely and xmassy.”
Delivery left parcel in pouring rain despite customer being home.
“Dreadful delivery - left next to front gate in pouring rain - we were in the whole time!”
Reviewer thanked seller and said the product was very good.
“Many thanks. Very good.”
Service was efficient and delivery arrived very quickly.
“Efficient and delivery very quick.”
Plants arrived out of their containers and in poor condition, needed repotting.
“The plants arrived completely out of their containers and in a poor state.”
Product matched description with good quality and price.
“as described very good quality + price”
Ordering was easy and delivery arrived on time and well packaged.
“Easy to order, delivery arrived on time and we'll packed.”
Lovely rose plants arrived on time and were well packaged.
“Lovely rose plants, arrived on time,well packaged thanks.”
Delivery failed but Direct Gardening efficiently sent a replacement order.
“Experienced problems with non delivery by the confirmed delivery company but Direct Gardening dealt efficiently with a replacement order.”
Damaged packaging killed most knofia plants; strawberries were okay.
“Only 2 knofia plants survived as the packaging was so damaged.”
Reviewer generally happy and says company resolves issues quickly.
“Always been happy with garden direct, if something does go wrong, they sort it out very quickly”
Quality plants arrived on time and were well packed.
“Came on time and well packed”
Telephone ordering failed due to an unhelpful agent, but mail order worked well.
“The lady who answered my call was to put it frankly useless.”
Parcel arrived in good condition but promised extra offer plants were not supplied.
“The parcel arrived in time and was in good condition.”
Products arrived in good condition.
“Products arrived in good condition.”
Bare root rose failed to grow despite planting and care.
“The bare root plant that I ordered never grew, despite it being planted in the ground, watered and fertilised, it remains resembling a stick😡”
Delivery service was poor and inadequate for live plants.
“Poor Delivery Service not up to standard for delivery of live plants”
Great service and item arrived on time.
“Great service item arrived on time”
Plants were good but delivery was not satisfactory.
“good plants,delivery not so good”
Dahlia tubers arrived undamaged, healthy and in good condition.
“Dahlia tubers arrived well packaged and undamaged.”
Plants were well packed and arrived in good condition.
“Very well packed. Large plants in good condition.”
Delivery was prompt and items were well packaged.
“Prompt delivery well packaged”
Plants arrived on time and well protected, but mixes were identical.
“Plants arrived on time and in great condition.”
Plants arrived safely, were healthy, and reviewer highly recommends.
“Plants were delivered safely and very well packaged.”
Communication was excellent and plants arrived in good condition.
“Communication was excellent, and the plants are in good condition.”
Plants were well packed and delivered on time.
“Nice plants, well packed and delivered on time - what more can one ask for?”
Excellent plants packaged well and delivered on time.
“Excellent plants and delivered on time.Packaged well.And plants are in perfect condition”
Reviewer gave five stars for first-class products and service, with one exception.
“With the exeption of one order, this one merits the usuul five stars for first class products and service.”
Reviewer pleased with the quality of the plants.
“Very good great plants thanks”
Plants arrived quickly and in good condition but lucky dip gave duplicates.
“Plants arrived very quickly & were in really good condition.”
Lost order was promptly resent and replacement quickly supplied; reviewer satisfied.
“My order was lost, but on reporting this, a repeat order was sent out immediately.”
Plants were excellent quality and carefully packaged.
“Excellent quality plants, carefully packaged.”
Delivery was on time and items appeared in good order.
“Delivered on time and seem in good order”
Plants arrived with broken branches and most foliage in the box.
“some branches were broken and most of the foliage appeared in the box”
Pick and mix offered great variety and good quality plants.
“I loved the pick and mix - great variety and quality - and some things I would never have bought - some I've killed before and some old favourites.”
Plants generally arrive in good condition.
“Plants generally arrive in good condition.”
Plants were delivered on time and arrived in perfect condition.
“My plants were delivered on time and in perfect condition. Thank you”
Item had not arrived a week after dispatch.
“Item has still not arrived a week after despatch.”
All plants arrived well packed and thriving.
“All turned up well packed and thriving”
This page combines submitted experiences with public reviews from platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, etc. Recurring points are summarised without changing the content of reviews.
Gardening Direct is a UK online retailer specialising in plants, bulbs, seeds, and garden supplies. The site sells roses, perennials, shrubs, vegetable plants, bulbs, and seasonal items such as wreaths and hanging baskets. Product pages usually give descriptions and basic care tips to help with choice. Customers can order online or by phone, and the company delivers potted and bare‑root stock within the UK. Gardening Direct also sells accessories including compost, fertilisers, and garden tools.