THE BEST OF THE BEST OF THE BEST! Digging Dog Nursery in Albion, California is simply the best of the best for mail-order plants, not only the usual variety one hopes to find but also hard-to-find perennials, tropicals, and other assortments. Their service is excellent; they respond to enquiries quickly and politely, and provide full answers to your questions. They are happy to combine or add-on to orders, and will acknowledge same via email; they will also hold shipments if you prefer a later date (always helpful for Zone 5b/6a). Again, their customer service is excellent; they are responsive, helpful, and extremely courteous in their emails. Now, about the plants: THESE ARE THE BEST MAIL-ORDER PLANTS I'VE EVER RECEIVED! I often order plants for clients throughout the year; each shipment from Digging Dog Nursery is carefully, securely, and safely packaged. Yes, the shipping/handling costs are high, but as I've noted, they are shipping from Albion, California to Lake County, Illinois and nothing is as cost-effective as it used to be. Each of my clients' orders have arrived in beautiful, fresh, green condition; the plants are healthy, and ready to go in the ground. My clients have commented numerous times upon both the quality of the plants and the quality of the packing; they were, are, and remain absolutely positively impressed in all aspects! I am happy to recommend Digging Dog Nursery in Albion, California for all your mail-order plant needs. THE BEST OF THE BEST OF THE BEST! read more

I absolutely adore this nursery. They have things you do t find anywhere else, and it's worth a visit because it's in a strange and beautiful place. read more

I've been a Digging Dog customer for years and will continue for many more years. My plants arrived today looking lovely, healthy, and very securely packaged. Their customer service is so incredibly friendly and helpful. read more

I'm thrilled! I just received the plants from Digging Dog today and they are super healthy large plants and arrived in great shape with very careful packing. They have many hard to find plants and I look forward to ordering again soon. They are also careful to ship your plants during cool weather which I really appreciate (this may be a few weeks after your order is placed but don't worry - they will let you know when to expect the shipment). The people I've spoken with on the phone are also very friendly and helpful. Thanks again! read more

Digging Dog Nursery is an incredible nursery that has a selection of perennials and grasses that are hard to find elsewher. The owners are incredibly knowledgeable with excellent taste. They take great care of their plants and when shipped the plants are packaged very carefully. Thank you so much for providing us with hard to find plants that are well taken care of. Sharon Strauss from Beacon, New York read more

I live outside of Philadelphia and the last two years I have been creating my garden and my mother's garden. I have used many online resources to buy plants. I have made about five orders with Dig Dog and I can say that they truly have a diverse stock of plants. The plants come in a healthy condition and are truly five inch pot plants. if you are looking for healthy diverse plants Dig Dog first stop. I did not get paid for this review and lite mean every word. also I love the fact this company is honest and stands by it product read more

An absolutely fantastic Nursery. They have become my go-to, since they have the best combination of beautiful and often unusual plants, more than fair prices (their plants are always the largest amongst the nurseries I have frequented) and price! I garden for about ten people, and I move them away from garden centers because they simply do not have the variety, the quality, and the rocking customer service that Digging Dog has. One of the best things - if a plant is out of stock, you are able to ask to be alerted. I just was alerted to a relatively rare hydrangea. They are the BEST!!!!! read more

I am thoroughly happy with my recent purchase of 2 varieties of Aruncus and crambe maritima. The plants were healthy upon the fast shipping arrival, I will be ordering from them again to NJ....although shipping is not cheap the varities and knowledge of their plants makes up for the cost of not finding many of their plants locally. read more

I was looking for a very particular plant that NO ONE has in stock it seems...accept these guys! They were very careful to warn me that buying plants in the winter will result in plants that might be dormant. Very thoughtful to remind people of this so they aren't shocked when their plants arrive in less than amazing condition haha! Their prices are very competitive! I purchased a Melianthis Major (Honeybush) and a few Horsetail plants. They package their plants in a way that they literally have zero chance of being damaged during shipping. I was very impressed and thankful! I'll be purchasing from them again for sure! read more

Please think carefully about ordering from Digging Dog Nursery. Although there are positive reviews, there are also a lot that refer to a lack of communication, lack of updates and refusing to send plants. I had such an experience. Although I try to buy from local nurseries, I wanted some plants that I could not find near my home in New Jersey. I found what I needed online at Digging Dog Nursery. However, once I ordered, the frustration and aggravation began. It seems that if a customer inquires about why something has not shipped, that customer never sees the order. I ordered a number of plants in March, and immediately received an email that I would hear back from the nursery in 5 days to 2 weeks regarding my shipping status. Never happened. I emailed them about 2 and a half weeks after I made the order because it was getting closer to prime planting time. I did not get a response. I continued to email and politely ask when the plants might come--I wanted to resolve it on good terms. Finally, I get a response that tells me some of the plants are not available and they were going to ship in late May--too hot for where I live. I asked for two substitutes--I ordered nine plants originally and did not hear back for another few weeks. Then I received notice that the plants would ship. It is getting close to two weeks since that shipment notice and I can't get any updates. It has been very warm in my area and I had hoped to get the plants quickly. No one answers. Finally, I asked to be refunded for my order if I were not going to be able to get an update on shipping. No response, no plants and no refund. I have maintained a polite tone but I am terribly disappointed as it was a significant order. Be careful. I can't replace what I didn't get. Use other nurseries with better reviews. read more

I ordered 3 different types of plants, 3 of each. The Astilbe is tiny but 2 of the 3 survived. the Hollyhock and Diascia arrived in horrible condition and all died soon after being planted. I am an avid gardener. I did my best to nurse them back to health but it was hopeless. It didn't look like the plants were damaged in transit but rather were very poor specimens to begin with. I ordered plants from 3 other mail order companies this spring and they all arrived perfectly. I wrote to Digging dog to tell them what happened but they never responded. read more

Over the years I have bought many plants from digging dog. I first learned about them at the flower and garden show. I love their plants and have never minded paying the extra for the plants. However I placed an ordered on January 28th and am still waiting for that order. I sent several email requests for updates but did not get a response. My husband called last week and whomever he spoke to said she had been in contact with me and forwarded him the "string of emails" as she stated. The String consisted of my order email. He was informed that my order would ship on May 4th. Thus far I have not had an email letting me know if the plants shipped or not. I just reached back out for an update. This will be the last order I send them and for those other gardeners that I turned you on to this nursery-i am sorry. read more

Not only did Digging Dog Nursery ( love the name) have the Crocosmia Limpopo that I wantEd; they arrived beautifully packaged and in great shape. Their size has double in the few days I have had them. Prompt communication and service and a quality product. I am pleased!' I definitely would purchase again. Thank you. read more

The plants I received from Digging Dog were impeccable, I am extremely happy and impressed with the care and thought they took in shipping. Not only that, the health and quality of the plants I recieved was honestly unexpected in shipping across country. I will most definitely be gardening with them again. read more

I have bought a number of trees from this company and they all failed. The next year I paid for some replacements and they also died in short order. The plants came through exceedingly small and weak. The company offers no guarantee and given the relatively high price they charge, this is totally unacceptable. I can't speak to the quality of their shrubs or perennials, but I do believe there are other less expensive quality nurseries available. read more

Really pleased with my Little Trudy Nepeta! I ordered 10 and they all came well packaged, very green, and ready for their fall planting!!

Amazing nursery nestled in the pigmy forest on Albion Ridge. It has an expansive and vast assortment of plants in a park-like setting in the crystal clear air of Mendocino. Every plant we have purchased from them has thrived. The folks who run this place, Deborah and Gary and helpers, are all friendly, helpful and freely offer planting advice. If you're fortunate enough to visit this place, take some time to just enjoy the beautiful grounds, but be sure to check their hours and days of business on their website. They do a thriving mail order business and are honest about what will be good to ship when so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. BUT, if you love plants and are lucky to visit the Mendocino Coast, by all means call to make sure they're open and plan a drive up the Albion ridge to a little piece of paradise. Here's a link to their website: http://diggingdog.com/index.php read more

I just got a shipment from Digging Dog today. They look great, are a good size and the packing was amazing. I ordered from them because they had hydrangeas I couldn't find locally but I will definitely go back to them again. read more

Digging Dog nursery is a great mail order and retail plant nursery that has unusual and hard to find perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs, trees and vines. The plant catalogue features penstemons, salvias, geraniums, asters, hellebores, grasses, clematis, hydrangeas and the list goes on and on. I am an avid gardener in Southern California and DDN is a valuable resource for my growing collections of plant favorites. I recently ordered some hard to find hydrangeas and persicaria that arrived in beautiful shape and good growth size. (I haven't had such luck with other online purchases from other growers). I also appreciate their good customer service. Let's keep this nursery going during these difficult times! One thing I have come to appreciate even more during these times, is my garden. Thank you Digging Dog Nursery read more

Thirteen of Aconitum Carmichaeli Arendsii arrived healthy at my door last Thursday. Two plants lost a leaf each in shipping and unboxing, a stellar outcome. Ten are in the ground, and three are faring well in their deep pots six days after their journey. 'Digging Dog Nursery' personnel are expert and kind. Twice by phone, and in three or four brief emails, they settled my questions. Here, a dream came true. read more

Just took a risk and ordered plants online because Digging Dog has such a great selection. The plants were tiny but healthy when they arrived. I planted them and, wow, 3 months later (August) they're huge and beautiful. In fact, healthier and bigger than plants I bought locally. Also, I emailed a question about one plant and they were too busy to respond right away so someone actually called me to explain her answer. My answering service wasn't working and she tried 3 times until she could reach me. These guys are amazing! read more

I needed plants that I couldn't find anywhere else. Digging Dog had them and while it took a while to get the plants due to COVID, they arrived in perfect condition ready to go. Thanks! read more

I recently placed an order and was very impressed by the condition of the plants when they arrived. I live on the east coast (Nantucket MA) and frequently plants I order from other companies arrive in less than ideal condition. Digging Dog packs their plants so that they are protected and ships UPS so they arrive in short order. Overall I highly recommend this nursery. read more

I am so pleased to have Digging Dog as one of my plant resources! The pride of a family run nursery shows. Beautiful plants and quick customer service responses...even in a pandemic!!! There are many plants I have trouble locating that they carry. Even though they may currently be out of stock, at least I know there is a source! Definitely placing a fall order!!! read more

I ordered 16 plants this spring that I couldn't find at my local nurseries in MA. Digging Dog packed them with great care and thought, and they arrived in excellent condition. They're all currently thriving, and I'm already thinking about the anemones I'm going to order next year. One more thing: You can't beat their selection. They have almost everything anyone could want. read more

Plants look good but WORST customer/shipping service. Charged three times the shipment fee. Some of the plants ordered are not available until May so I have to pay for the second shipping fee. Then I ordered more plants and added into second shipment. They confirmed the new order but the second shipment turned out to miss the newly added plants. Hence they can charge the shipment+handling fee the third time for the additional plants added. edit: Digging dog's reply below is falsified and shows they still do not understand my orders. I can show the emails as proof. They only shipped plants in additional order placed later, without including the part of original order which was initially not available. read more

I highly recommend this nursery - every plant I have ever bought from them has done very well. My recent order of geraniums arrived very well packaged, all the plants had sturdy crowns and roots and even though they looked a bit sad on arrival, they immediately perked up once they were watered. The instructions sent with the plants were very clear and if followed, you can be sure that your plants will do well. I cant wait for this dang Covid thing to be over, so we can once again enjoy this beautiful and magical nursery in the woods in person. read more

Beautiful nursery with plants that will inspire you to DO something with your outdoor space! Check out the saturday afternoon tours! (they prefer that you call ahead) read more

Pros: The plants are well grown, true to name, and the garden surrounding the nursery is beautiful. Cons: The people, although vaguely friendly on the surface in a generic sort of way, are just not very nice, or helpful. One is left with the distinct impression that they are doing you a favor by allowing you to shop at one of their occasional sales. And let's face it, with a location like Albion, it is going to be the diehard plant people who make the drive from wherever to Albion. Those folks will be disappointed to find that only the most common of their offerings are a) available and b) on sale. Thinking about some of the interesting plants in their catalog? Oh, sorry those aren't available, and if the odd one is available, sorry, that's not on sale. I won't make the drive again. OTOH, if you are buying mail order, you will probably be happy with your plants. read more

Terrific plant selection. The nursery is beautiful and well organized. I had several plants mailed and they're doing really well. I also like that Digging Dog continues to support animal rescues and adoption on the coast. read more

My order of 10 Agapanthus Storm Cloud arrived in Houston only two days after leaving Digging Dog in northern California. All Plants nice size and in beautiful shape in spite of the heat, thoroughly packed. This variety is hard to find correctly labeled here, these plants look correct, will see if they do bloom dark blue purple! Digging Dog personnel knowledgeable and helpful. read more

Wonderfully packed plants arrived in great condition - they are thriving! Excellent customer service and questions answered professionally and patiently - I will continue to do business with the great company! read more

Our coastal garden thanks Digging Dog for many exquisite and hard-to-find plants. We've been customers for twelve years, and since Digging Dog's offerings not only reflect the owners' horticultural knowledge but also their commitment to artful, environmentally sensitive planting, we are better gardeners because we have their plants to work with. This is a nursery run by some of the finest, most innovative plant folk in the country. In winter I spend lots of evenings dreaming over their catalog's array of perennials and grasses, including recent introductions to the U.S. that you can't find anywhere else. Catalog entries often include suggestions about companions for the plants, a fantastic feature if you're trying to work out a design with plants you haven't grown before. We're lucky because we live close enough to make the drive to visit the nursery in Albion with its amazing display borders, where the plants in their catalog show what they can really do. Actually, a trip to Digging Dog is what I ask for every year on my birthday. We've never gone there without being moved by the beauty of the plants and inspired to try something new. Notable among the fine staff is wonderful young plant nerd Zach, who always finds the time to answer our questions about what might grow best for us. read more

I love this nursery. They have such a great selection. All of my plants are growing well and are a superb addition to my garden in Santa Cruz. read more

I was nervous buying plants by mail. They're alive and in the mail. How crazy is that? But they had some stuff I couldn't find anywhere else so I took a chance. When the box arrived I was stunned to find plants much bigger and healthier than I thought possible. Some are blooming already and the shipping was reasonable. Will definitely order again. read more