Hirt’s Nursery stands as a long-standing provider of plants, operating through both online channels and mail-order services. For gardeners seeking to expand their collections or find specific botanical specimens, Hirt’s offers a diverse inventory. This overview provides insights into what customers can expect.
About Hirt’s Nursery
Hirt’s Gardens originated in 1915, founded by Samuel Hirt in Ohio, becoming one of the state’s oldest horticultural businesses. Initially focusing on vegetables and horseradish, the family enterprise evolved significantly over the decades, transitioning from a local greenhouse operation to a prominent online presence, adapting to changing consumer needs. Today, Matthew Hirt, the great-grandson of the founder, manages the company, continuing its legacy in the plant industry.
The nursery’s philosophy centers on making a wide array of plants accessible to a broad audience. Its deep roots in horticulture contribute to its extensive experience in cultivating and distributing various plant types. The nursery’s physical location remains in Wadsworth, Ohio, though its primary reach is now national through its digital storefront.
Product Offerings
Hirt’s Nursery provides an extensive selection of plants and gardening essentials. Their inventory encompasses a broad range of houseplants and tropical plants suitable for indoor environments. Gardeners can also find perennials, shrubs, and trees for outdoor landscaping projects, offering options for diverse climates and garden designs.
The nursery specializes in offering hard-to-find perennials and unusual or exotic house plants, appealing to collectors and those seeking unique specimens. Beyond living plants, Hirt’s also stocks a variety of bulbs and seeds. Their product lines extend to gardening accessories and pottery. This wide array allows customers to source everything from common garden staples to more specialized botanical interests. Specific offerings might include various philodendrons, Pilea, cacti, succulents, and seasonal items like dahlias and lilies.
Shopping Experience
The online shopping process at Hirt’s Nursery typically ships orders within two business days of purchase. Payment authorization and verification are completed before processing shipments. Shipping carriers such as the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and United Parcel Service (UPS) are utilized, with the most efficient carrier selected for each order.
Plants are carefully prepared for transit to minimize damage during delivery. This often involves wrapping individual plants in bubble wrap and taping down the soil to prevent displacement within the packaging. The aim is to ensure that plants arrive with minimal loose soil and remain stable inside their boxes. While shipping costs are determined by product weight and destination, some customers have noted that the shipping fees can be substantial.
Customers can generally expect their deliveries within a reasonable timeframe, although specific transit times vary based on the destination and chosen shipping method. Some reviews indicate fast delivery, with orders arriving within a few days of placement.
Customer Service and Support
Hirt’s Nursery has specific guidelines for customer concerns regarding plant health and orders. If live plants arrive damaged, customers are typically required to send a photo of the plant along with its label within fifteen business days of receipt. This photographic evidence helps facilitate the process for potential resolution.
All sales of seeds and live plants are generally considered final, and the nursery states there is no blanket guarantee for these items. The company does not assume responsibility for issues arising from extreme weather conditions, neglect, or acts of nature, nor for instances where their hardiness zone recommendations are disregarded. For direct inquiries or issues, customers can contact the nursery via email. While replacement or refund actions are possible for damaged arrivals, specific outcomes depend on adherence to the stated policies and the nature of the damage.
Reputation and Reviews
The reputation of Hirt’s Nursery, as reflected in customer reviews, presents a mixed picture. Many positive reviews highlight the wide variety of plants available, including rare and hard-to-find cultivars, which is a significant draw for many gardeners. Some customers have praised the quality of the plants received, noting their health and robust root systems upon arrival. Timely shipping and effective packaging have also been cited as positive aspects in numerous instances, with plants arriving well-secured and in good condition.
Conversely, a notable number of reviews express dissatisfaction, primarily concerning the condition of plants upon arrival and customer service responsiveness. Common criticisms include plants being smaller than expected or advertised, arriving damaged, or appearing to be in poor health. Some customers have reported difficulties with obtaining refunds or replacements for unsatisfactory orders, with communication sometimes described as unhelpful or slow. The overall feedback suggests that while some customers have excellent experiences, others encounter significant issues, leading to a varied perception of the nursery’s reliability.