“Buyer Beware
This supplier showcases their tulips each year at the Tulip Festival at Glenarm Castle, and the displays are undeniably beautiful. Seeing the mature blooms in full glory makes it very tempting to place an order on the spot.
However, my experience did not match the marketing.
When the bulbs arrived in October, I was genuinely disappointed. They were significantly smaller than expected and several showed signs of blue mould. Considering the premium prices charged, I expected far higher quality.
One of the issues with ordering via festival forms is that you lose perspective of current market prices. Only later do you receive a bill. In many instances quality is shocking — bulbs are available from other suppliers at far more reasonable rates.
Afterwards, I compared bulbs locally at Walkers Seeds in Newtownards and with friends who ordered online from Dutch Grown and Farmer Gracy. The difference in bulb size and overall quality was striking, even comparing same cultivars. I got the impression I received old dried and mould covered bulbs.
I share this simply so others go in with eyes open. The display gardens are impressive, but in my experience the delivered product did not justify the price.”
