Small's Garden Center

Reviews

• CO

  Craig Ostrowski

  Sep 3, 2026
  1.0
  I purchased a cloud-pruned blue alps juniper from Small’s on June 22. By early September, it had developed severe, rapidly progressing dieback throughout the canopy, so I called the garden center looking for advice and trying to understand what might be happening. I spoke directly with the garden center manager. I explained that the tree had been watered, that I actively monitor its soil moisture with a Bluetooth sensor, and that June and July had been fairly wet. I also explained that I have planted approximately 395 plants across my property this season and that this juniper is the only one to experience this kind of failure. In the same bed are four small, newly planted Hicks yew whips, along with artemisia and blue fescue, all of which remain healthy under the same general conditions. I was not claiming that this definitively proved what caused the juniper’s decline. I was providing relevant context and looking for knowledgeable guidance. Despite that, I was repeatedly told the damage was simply because I had not watered the juniper every single day. When I questioned that conclusion, the conversation became unnecessarily confrontational. Before I had asked for a replacement, refund, or any other compensation, the manager told me, “I don’t warranty my plants,” and then sarcastically asked, “Do you want me to give you a free plant because yours died?” I asked her to replay what she had just said and consider how it sounded from a customer-service standpoint. Shortly afterward, she told me that I had a bad attitude. When I said I would review my experience with the interaction, she hung up on me. I understand that plants sometimes fail after transplanting and that a nursery cannot control every variable once a plant leaves its property. My complaint is not simply that the tree is struggling, nor did I begin the call by demanding a free replacement. I called seeking horticultural advice about a relatively expensive specimen plant. Instead, the plant’s condition was immediately attributed to neglect, the information I provided was largely dismissed, I was spoken to sarcastically, personally criticized, and ultimately hung up on. Small’s has an impressive plant selection, which is why I went there in the first place. Unfortunately, after this interaction with the garden center manager, I would not feel comfortable purchasing another significant tree or shrub from them.
• LT

  Leah T

  Sep 2, 2026
  3.0
  They usually always have wonderful items available, but their stock was severely limited because it is the end of the season.
• AB

  Andrea Baldwin

  May 24, 2026
  5.0
  Love this place. They have reasonable prices and beautiful plants. The staff is always helpful
• RH

  Rick Harris

  May 10, 2026
  5.0
  Got a couple plants and flowers for the front yard on mother's day. Thank you Small's
• BW

  Barbara Watkins

  May 8, 2026
  1.0
  Last July, Small’s Garden Center did a refresh on some very old landscaping. I was happy with the work. After the job completed I contacted them to move a sump pump drain that I thought was killing the new arborvitae they planted. I kept contacting Julie, but she had too many “big jobs” to be bothered. She told me “I was on the schedule in early spring 2026.” Texted her twice and received no answer. I finally hired another contractor who relocated the drain. He also put in a real drainage field. The original drain was located in clay and the water never absorbed or moved. I also replaced three very dead arborvitae. When we dug them we found them tightly wrapped in burlap. No root growth except on the surface. I will never buy anything from Small’s Nursery. Your customer service needs a lot of work!

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