Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: no longer a member on August 09, 2008, 08:09:50 PM
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this person is no longer a forum member
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Rob, have you tried to contact them? They have a very clear Web Site with both telephone number and Email address. See http://www.ivycroft.freeserve.co.uk/
If you haven't tried perhaps it was a bit early to post in the way that you did, people might take the view, perhaps very unfairly, that the nursery was one not to deal with. Do remember please that a large number of people throughout the world use the information that appears on this Forum.
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Rob, Ivycroft needs always a little bit more time to answer by email so don't worry about it if there's still no answer. It will come for sure.
Arne
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Rob they do say they will be sent in July or August, there's still nearly three weeks before you need to worry about it. ;)
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I know the owners personally who are very nice people but this is a husband and wife running a small nursery and with a garden that opens most days - so they are busy. There should be no problem. In the words on the Hitch hikers guide to the Galaxy - Don't panic
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Rob,
I have dealt with these people previously and have never been disappointed; indeed found they took extra care and were generous with their plants.
Like yourself, I am awaiting the delivery of an order but have no worries.
Paddy
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I totally endorse other forumists comments - Roger & Sue Norman always supply good quality bulbs.
My order just arrived in the post this morning.
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Howdy All,
This is not just regarding this particular thread and this particular business.... but I don't understand why any business has an email address if they can't be bothered answering emails? If you're too busy to answer things (which is the usual excuse) then to me you shouldn't list one. If you do, it is your responsibility to maintain it. I do not know the company (nor any of the other companies I see the same complaint about here on the SRGC from time to time) but if they don't bother answering their emails (even just to say that it has been received) then their service is somewhat lacking. I am wondering why people seem so happy to accept lack of response? Why provide an address if you don't check it/respond to it? :-\ To me service is supposed to be after the order is placed as well, not just until you receive the order. :-X
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Will comment on Paul's remarks, again not directed at Ivycroft, but a general comment......
Oh, I could get started on the subject of people, firms, societies etc not answering mail of any kind, but especially email... and complain till the cows come home!
There will always be the occasional mail which drops out of the radar but, in general, such niceties of common good manners should surely prevail.... and are, in my opinion, particularly vital for any business or professional context. Private persons are, I suppose, entitled to be as ill-mannered as they wish.... but public invitation to contact by email, or snail mail, deserves a polite and timely response, in my opinion.
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Maggi,
You are certainly correct in your comments in a general manner. However, my experience of dealing with Ivycroft has always been a very happy one, very obliging, excellent quality plants and reliable delivery.
I feel it would be an injustice to them to have negative comments posted here and, as they are a very small business, the repercussions for them could be drastic.
Paddy
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Quite so, Paddy, I appreciate what you say and I hope that it is clear from the comments posted by happy customers of Ivycroft that one might expect excellent plants from this nursery and that any perceived lack of communication is most likely just that; a perceivedand mistaken lapse.
I have edited the title of this thread to avoid any undue concern, I hope.
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I have order some Galanthus from Ivycroft in the last few weeks and they have been nothing but helpful.
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Sorry I commented. If the moderators would like me to remove it I will happily do so. I would do it myself, except that would disembody Maggi's reply.
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Sorry I commented. If the moderators would like me to remove it I will happily do so. I would do it myself, except that would disembody Maggi's reply.
No, Paul, it will not be removed... you and I made comments about general "proper" behaviour expected from businesses.... we both stated that we were not referring to Ivycroft, and I repeat that here, for the avoidance of doubt.
M
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That's good to know that you have got yours Rob, hopefully mine will arrive this week too. ;)
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It is much easier to contact Roger and Sue via the telephone. E-mails do take a while to get answered and therefore I recommend phoning them if you require a fast response. Their telephone number is on the web page.
My order arrived on Wednesday and was accompanied by a nice note.
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Ha!
so I will get my drops soon :D
Last year my order from Ivycroft was sent in my holiday and so I wasn`t home and so the parcel went back to England,went to Holland,back to England and finally arrived with me after weeks.
The bulbs were still in very good condition,there was a nice note with it and I received very large bulbs,with little ones attatched.
No need to say I am very pleased with their service and due to these parcel-problems I mailed Roger several times and always got a quick and very friendly reply.
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How exciting for all your galanthophiles getting your drop parcels....... I suppose you will all be showing us the flowers in due course? ::)
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Mais naturellement, Maggi. It's like Christmas in August when they arrive. ;D ::)
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Of course, this is the time of year when real people get their bulb parcels, too......... ::)
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Yes, thankyou Maggi, I am looking forward to that just as much ;D
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Holy moly, Brian, don't tell me you peruse REAL bulb catalogues as well? I know you have other plants in your garden, but I had no idea you were a real person.... only thought of you as a bearded figment of my imagination ::)
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Must be a large imagination Maggi, to fit all of me in it! ;D
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Glad to hear all is sorted out, Rob, and not at all surprised that you found it a pleasure to speak to Roger. He is very pleasant to deal with, most obliging and helpful.
Now, he had better post on my snowdrops quickly or I will be on the phone to him!
Paddy
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and my drops came yesterday. ;D ;D ;D
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Oh, good, Loes, you will be pleased by that. Can I be very inquisitive and ask what you chose?
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Now, he had better post on my snowdrops quickly or I will be on the phone to him!
Now, now Paddy, patience is a virtue and I am twiddling my thumbs waiting too ;D
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Maggi
as my money-to-spend is limited I only bought 3 bulbs(and believe me that`s not cheap)
Trym,gracilis Yamanlar and Hill Poë.(and to complete the amount of pounds that I sent,2 Atkinsii)
and I got 3 Galatea which was from a earlier order and could not be delivered then.
Yesterday I planted them with care.
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A nice selection, Loes.... I do not know G. gracilis Yamanlar.....so I am off to learn about that one :D It so happens I have the local SRGC group library copy of the snowdrop book on loan over the summer!!
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Maggi ::) ::) ::) whatever next ;D ;D
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It so happens I have the local SRGC group library copy of the snowdrop book on loan over the summer!!
:o :o :o
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Maggi, whatever next ?
:o :o :o
I know, I know, but you must remember, I haven't been well lately.... not really been "myself" :P ::)
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Maggi, you are on the right track. ;D
My package from Ivycroft arrived today, too. Included were Trym and Mrs Thompson. The only worse thing is the weather and I can't plant them. ::)
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I'm starting to think I am the only forum member NOT to have placed an order with Ivycroft!! ;) (yet) ;) ;)
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I think deep breathing and more chocolate might be called for in these desperate times
;D
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I'm starting to think I am the only forum member NOT to have placed an order with Ivycroft!
I am most intrigued to know what you would have ordered Maggie!
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I'm starting to think I am the only forum member NOT to have placed an order with Ivycroft!
I am most intrigued to know what you would have ordered Maggie!
Hmm? Dunno, nice fern, maybe? ::)
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Brian,
Patience has been rewarded and package has arrived safely.
Paddy
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Somebody mention FERNS? :o
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nice fern, maybe?
Tee hee ;D
Still twiddling my thumbs Paddy!
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nice fern, maybe?
Tee hee ;D
Still twiddling my thumbs Paddy!
I'm still catching up. Must have been nearly four weeks some people have been waiting for answers and cheques - or is that not the way you spellcheck? >:(
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nice fern, maybe?
Tee hee ;D
Still twiddling my thumbs Paddy!
I'm still catching up. Must have been nearly four weeks some people have been waiting for answers and cheques - or is that not the way you spellcheck? >:(
May be dim, Anthony, but I have no idea what you mean by this ..... ???
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Phew, I can give my thumbs a rest as the order arrived today.
I have to say I wasn't concerned that it wasn't here, on the website it does say
"Available in the green in March/April or as dormant bulbs in July/August, at the nursery or mail order."
and the order form states which ones are only available as dormant bulbs. Packing all the orders must take a considerable amount of time and, like the others, I had a pleasant note enclosed - which takes even more time. They were good sized bulbs too. I ordered by email in December and was quite happy to wait until now as G.gracilis Yamanlar was one of those only available as a dormant bulb.
It has been a delight dealing with Ivycroft and I will certainly not hesitate to do so again. Now to get planting...
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Brian,
Glad to hear that the rest of your order has arrived. It is a delight to deal with Ivycroft but even better if you make the pilgrimage from East Anglia. I have for the last 2 years and it is very worthwhile. This year we visited Ivycroft on the way to Colesbourne (alright, a diversion on the way to Colesbourne). As well as a good chat with Roger it was also possible to purchase a number of bulbs that aren't listed on the website. All of the bulbs I have purchased from him have been very good size and often have offsets still attached.
The garden is well worth the treck on it's own but couple that with the opportunity to purchase a few choice bulbs and it's a 'no-brainer'. We'll definitely do it again next season.
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Of course, this is the time of year when real people get their bulb parcels, too......... ::)
real people
:D 3 months late I know - but once again Maggi has succeeded in making me laugh. ;D
Oh yes, I got my order from Ivycroft in August too - nice sized bulbs and a hand written note too. :)
John
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Brian,
The garden is well worth the treck on it's own but couple that with the opportunity to purchase a few choice bulbs and it's a 'no-brainer'. We'll definitely do it again next season.
A couple of years ago (perhaps more) in late spring we had a few days in the Hereford area and visited them. What a lovely garden and delightful people. We know nothing about named galanthus so that side of the nursery did not figure in our visit but the rest of the garden and plants were superb.
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Yes thanks Tony, I think I will have to take a leaf out of your book and spend a few days over on that side of the country. :)
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Roger put his 2009 list on line this afternoon but is having trouble with the computer but hopes to get it sorted Friday.
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Roger put his 2009 list on line this afternoon but is having trouble with the computer but hopes to get it sorted Friday.
Poor man, that's not what he needs , is it?
Why do machines only break down/give trouble at the most inopportune times? ( no need for any answer, there, by the way!)
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Now the list is online. ;)
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The Ivycroft list has "Warley Duo" - not in The Book - can anyone shed light on this variety or even a pic?
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The Ivycroft list has "Warley Duo" - not in The Book - can anyone shed light on this variety or even a pic?
Mark can, here:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1359.7
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great link, Diane.... thanks.
Looking back to it I see I had forgotten about the glamorous 'Daglingworth Kasaba’ ..... is it on this year's list?
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Perhaps a note of the contact details is in order here:
Website: http://www.ivycroft.freeserve.co.uk/
Sue and Roger Norman
Ivington Green, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 0JN,
01568 720344
rogerandsueATivycroft.freeserve.co.uk ( replace AT with @ to email)
I am oddly sad to see that 'Daglingworth Kasaba' is NOT listed :'(
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To save people following the link here it is
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Mark
Nice pic, the ovary and petal shape look very much like Warley Longbow (but different colouration) - is there a common parentage?
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Thanks, Mark.
Looking back at the old link, though, I see a query that I don't think we cleared up.... where does the "Duo" part of the name come from? The query posed last time was about it being twin-scaped ???
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'Warley longbow', 'Warley Belles', and I assume 'Warley Duo', are selections by Derek Fox from snowdrops growing in the grounds of Warley Place in Essex
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Thanks Mark, I might have known you'd have the answer.
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The ones on the list that I fancy are potted so out of my reach.
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and they are?
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'Grumpy', 'Ding Dong' and 'Percy Picton' would interest me, but not all three at once.
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ahhh,like Anthony said,the desirable ones are potgrown :(
(Ding Dong,Percy Picton,sandersii group)
well,I`m glad Sickle , Mrs McNamara and Mrs Thomson are sold as dormant bulbs. ;D
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im sure roger would post them out potted? i dont see why not?
He does. ;)
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I wonder how many Percy Pictons he has...
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'Percy Picton' is a very nice snowdrop
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Roger attends the Gala every year.
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I think you can rest assured that Roger will oblige in any way possible. I have bought from him for the last few years and have always found him most obliging.
Paddy
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Rob
??? Your latest post feels to me like the one with which you opened this thread. If we all posted public comment on every supplier who didn't give us an instantaneous response it would bring the web to a halt. It doesn't feel to me like an appropriate use of the SRGC broadcast facility. Maybe Maggie diasagrees.
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I take your point, Steve, but Rob does go on to say he is being a bit impatient. There has also been much praise of Ivycroft through this thread.
It will be the case that if there are threads where folks give well -deserved praise for fast response to queries or orders, then the other side of that coin is that comments will be made if a person feels a quicker response could be given.
Naturally, I would always recommend that any serious grievance be first taken up with the supplier.... but (and I am speaking GENERALLY here, nothing to do with Ivycroft), I also undersand that if no reply is forthcoming or money has been taken with no goods arriving and so on, then considerable frustrations can arise and folks may well feel the need to warn others, considering any problems they may have had.
I feel there have been useful occasions in these pages where explanations for apparantly errant behaviour has been obtained, and re-assurance gained, by the replies from other forumists.
I hope you feel that this clarifies the position somewhat.
You are always free to pm me about any matter which concerns you.
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Here are some pics from Ivycroft today.
The weather was grey & overcast but I enjoyed my visit.
There were a good selection of snowdrops for sale, and I came away with a lighter wallet.
'Modern Art' was sold out.
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Glad you had a good day out, Rob.... great contrast to the white world of snow we have meantime..... lovely to see the flowers out.
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I've resized the last of the pictures.
I've put a close up of 'Richard Ayres' as it seems a good double. Why don't people want it as much as Flocon?
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because many people may not have seen it before this season
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I've put a close up of 'Richard Ayres' as it seems a good double. Why don't people want it as much as Flocon?
Hi Rob
thank you for the pictures - it has been very interesting for me to see Ivycroft, as I have never had the chance to visit them, but have often purchased their snowdrops.
...I agree - I was only emailing a friend 3 days ago to say that Richard Ayres had been one of my most enjoyed flowers this year. It lasted ages - and was 'big and fat' (a good thing in my book). I have heard that Ailwyn may be better - but Richard has certainly given me much viewing pleasure this year.
Cheers
John
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In this pic, Rob, of the hamamelis, I am intrigued by the wonderful criss-cross fencing in the left background.... can you tell us anything about that, please?
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Rob - Thanks for the great shots from Ivycroft. It's always good to see the face of a nursery and the owner. Wa that your order in the rugged plastic flats? ??? ;D
And particularly pleased to see no sign of snow!
johnw - raining stair rods here at 3c after a very slippery morning commute.
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Maggi
The criss-cross fencing was maybe willow. It was really neatly done & went for several metres, see additional pics.
I only treated myself to half a dozen snowdrops:
Richard Ayres
Dionysus
Percy Picton
Viridapice
Sandersonii
Greenish
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Thanks for the willow diamond pix, Rob.... really great, isn't it?
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I like it also.
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Rob,
G. Richard Ayres is far too variable. I was only discussing the problem with Richard Todd at Anglesey Abbey this afternoon.
John(M)
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Enjoyable set of pics Rob, thanks for posting them.