Help

If you have any questions about our products or services, or would just like some friendly advice from our expert staff, simply click on Contact Us and send us an email; or give us a phone call--toll free--at (877) 309-7333. We'll be more than happy to help.

Most frequently asked questions

• Do you have a printed catalog?
Customers often ask us if we publish a catalog. In short, the answer is ‘No’. We rely strictly upon our website to represent the wide variety of products that we offer. For more info see our Catalog Requests page.
• What is my hardiness zone?
You can find your USDA hardiness zone by entering your zip code on our US Hardiness Zones page. When ordering, you can determine if an item will be "Winter Hardy" in your area by checking the "Zone" information on the item's description page.
• When will my order ship?
If your order is for wildflower seeds, seed packets or vegetable seed packets only, it will usually be shipped within 5 business days.

Spring-planted bulbs and perennials are now shipping within 5 business days.

All Gardening Tools and Accessories, if purchased with live bulbs or plants, will be shipping with that product when it is appropriate to plant (by USDA Hardiness Zone - See table above). Gardening Tools and Accessories purchased with seed will ship within 5 business days. Gardening Tools and Accessories that are purchased on their own will ship within 5 business days.

Fall-planted bulbs and perennials start shipping in early September depending on your hardiness zone. Click here to determine your zone or check your order confirmation for detailed shipping information.
Zone 1,2,3,4- shipping begins the week of September 10th, 2012.
Zone 5 - shipping begins the week of September 17th, 2012.
Zone 6 - shipping begins the week of September 24th, 2012.
Zone 7 - shipping begins the week of October 1st, 2012.
Zone 8,9,10,11 - shipping begins the week of October 22nd, 2012.

These dates are guidelines, and may be somewhat revised due to inclement weather anywhere along the shipping route.

• What do I do when my items arrive?
We try to ship your order at the correct planting time for your area. Open packages immediately and water any potted plants.

Seed can be planted in spring, summer or fall depending on your region. If storing your seed, keep it in a cool, dry place. For more information see our Wildflower Seed Planting Instructions.

Fall Planted Bulbs should be planted as soon as the ground is cool. In most parts of the country, this would be around the time of the first frosts, when evening temperatures average between 40° to 50° F. But you should plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes. You can, if necessary, store bulbs for a month or longer, if you keep them in a cool dry place. When in doubt, however, the bulbs belong in the ground. They won't last till next season. Read some tips on planting.

Amaryllis: Choose a pot that allows about 1" all around and 1-2" below your bulb. Using a regular potting soil - plant your bulb with the "shoulders" up out of the soil. Once your bulb is planted, water sparingly until the sprout is well out of the bulb. Then water regularly. Amaryllis Growing Instructions.

Perennial Bareroot Plants should be opened immediately and the peat should be moistened. Plant as soon as possible. In the meantime, keep the package in a cool place out of direct sun and protect from freezing.

Perennial Potted Plants should be watered as soon as you receive them. Keep them in a cool room where they get some sun through a window, protect them from freezing and keep the soil moist but not soggy. They willl arrive in 1 of 3 stages of growth depending on the plant and the time of year.
1. Plants with green leafy growth: wait to plant until after the last frost date.
2. Plants with no top growth or with dried out foliage from the previous year: this plant is dormant and will sprout from the buds as the soil line. They can be planted right away.
3. Shrubs with bare twigs: The plant is dormant. Look for green bulbs or scrape the bark with your fingernail. If you see green tissue under the bark the plant in healthy. Plant as soon as possible. See more information on planting perennials.

Spring Planted Bulbs should be planted as soon as possible. In the meantime, store the bulbs in a cool, dry, dark place. More information on planting bulbs.

• What's the status of my order?
Most Wildflower Seed orders ship within 5 business days year round. Other plants are based on region.

After placing an order you will be emailed an order confirmation that says when your items will be shipped. Once your order has been shipped you will receive a second email with your shipping information.
• How do I plant this?
Spring Perennials need to be planted as soon as you get them from American Meadows, even if there is still a danger of frost. As long as your plant is recommended for your USDA Hardiness Zone you can plant 1-2 weeks before the last frost date. If you cannot plant within 2-4 days, please open the box, mist them with a little water, and store them in their containers or bags in a cool, dry location.

Bareroots: dig a hole slightly larger than the root and plant so the top of the root is level with the soil line.

Potted Plants: dig a hole that is slightly larger than the pot the plant came in. Place the root in the hole, gently loosen the roots, fill dirt in around the roots and gently pack down the soil with your hands. Water deeply once the hole is filled in.

Bulbs: dig a hole to the required depth, place the bulb (pointed side up with roots facing down) at the bottom and fill in dirt on top of the bulb.

See our Planting Guides for more detailed information.

Policies & Guarantees

• What is our guarantee?
Top-quality seeds, bulbs and perennial plants are all we sell. They are the very freshest and finest available anywhere and we work with our growers and importers to ensure that you receive products that will bring you back to American Meadows year after year.
• What is your return policy?
Please contact us via phone to discuss product returns. Depending on the status of the product, we will determine the right course of action for your return. Call toll-free: 877.309.7333
• What if my plants fail to grow?
If any American Meadows product fails to grow, just let us know any time within one year of delivery. We will happily replace it without charge, or refund your money, whichever you prefer. For over 25 years, we have guaranteed our products and we stand by our commitment to provide you with the highest quality gardening products available anywhere.

Shipping Information

• When will my order ship?
If your order is for wildflower seeds, seed packets or vegetable seed packets only, it will usually be shipped within 5 business days.

Spring-planted bulbs and perennials are now shipping within 5 business days.

Fall-planted bulbs and perennials start shipping in early September depending on your hardiness zone. Click here to determine your zone or check your order confirmation for detailed shipping information.
Zone 1,2,3,4- shipping begins the week of September 10th, 2012.
Zone 5 - shipping begins the week of September 17th, 2012.
Zone 6 - shipping begins the week of September 24th, 2012.
Zone 7 - shipping begins the week of October 1st, 2012.
Zone 8,9,10,11 - shipping begins the week of October 22nd, 2012.

All Gardening Tools and Accessories, if purchased with live bulbs or plants, will be shipping with that product when it is appropriate to plant (by USDA Hardiness Zone - See table above). Gardening Tools and Accessories purchased with seed will ship within 5 business days. Gardening Tools and Accessories that are purchased on their own will ship within 5 business days.

These dates are guidelines, and may be somewhat revised due to inclement weather anywhere along the shipping route.

• How much is shipping?
Our shipping costs are the same for all products, and even if your order requires more than one ship date, there are no extra costs. Shipping charges for the contiguous United States are shown in the chart below.


Shipping Charges
Up to $9.99	$5.95
$10 to $19.99	$7.95
$20 to $29.99	$8.95
$30 to $39.99	$9.95
$40 to $59.99	$10.95
$60 to $79.99	$11.95
$80 to $99.99	$13.95
Over $100	$16.95

• How do you ship items?
We use either UPS, USPS, or FedEx Ground, depending on weight and address. You will receive an email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. If you would like Express or overnight shipping, please either email Customer Service, or call toll free (877) 309-7333.
• Fedex says my package hasn’t moved in days, is it lost?
No. FedEx often doesn't scan packages at every location. We ship from the east coast and it often can take 5 business days to arrive on the west coast. If your package hasn't arrived within a week please either email Customer Service, or call toll free (877) 309-7333.
• Fedex says that my tracking number isn’t valid, what’s wrong?
You may recieive shipping confirmation email with tracking information before FedEx has scanned your shipment. It can take up to 24 hours for tracking numbers to be active.
• Do you offer express shipping?
Yes. If you would like Express or overnight shipping, please either email Customer Service, or call toll free (877) 309-7333.

Planting Guides

Planting Guides — General
Spring Bulbs Planting Guide
Perennials Planting Guide (including bareroot and potted perennials)
Guide to Wildflowers
Guide to Fall-Planting Perennials
Guide to Spring-Planted Woodland Wildflowers and Ferns
Guide to Fall-Planting Bulbs
Guide to Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors
Guide to Edibles
Guide to Amaryllis Bulbs

Product Inserts

Indoor Bulb Product Insert
Spring Planting Product Insert