Millcreek Gardens — Attraction in Millcreek

I have been to this garden center many times, I even have referred anyone reading my other Google reviews to visit here and I've told many friends and family about my experiences. Particularly today, I called and asked the associate who answered 'I'm looking for purple peonies, would you be able to tell me if you have any in stock?' after a few moments pause, she responded by reading off the varieties they do have in stock which included the variety 'anemone peony' which she said was purple. I told her I would pull it up while speaking on the phone, and told her I was confused because anemone is a different flower completely I thought. However, I did find a picture of a deep purple peony anemone immediately on Google and said 'that looks great, looks like that's exactly what I'll get and I will be there soon'. She said 'terrific, that's what we have, and if you want a different variety or if you need more we can also order it for you'. Upon arrival, I didn't see many peonies so I found an associate who showed me the rest and told me she had never heard of the one I was told about. I told her neither had I until today, but really any variety of purple peony would be fine. I had no luck finding it, and I don't know what happened to her so I went to the front to ask if the woman who answered the phone could show me. My question, 'I was told you have purple peonies in stock, could somebody show me them?' was met with the following responses: 'in 13 years I have never seen one here', 'I overheard the associate talking to you on the phone, and she only told you that we could order them in', 'you're asking a very complicated question in a busy garden center' (umm.. I don't lie, I'm giving a full disclosure here, and frankly anyone you ask in any garden center or on the street would tell you my question was simple), 'we have had them in stock before, these are the two varieties we've had... (Purple spider and Paul Brand)'. Neither of them were in stock, however Kathleen took terrific care to make sure I was aware of all varieties they had that day. I was encouraged and cordially met by the owner who invited me to provide a selection, they have things grown and are happy to have it ordered for me whatever I choose. I'm surprised this is the first time I have reviewed Millcreek Gardens. I will leave this review as is for now until I can make a concise recommendation on the garden center. For now, John has been great helping with trees and I have returned many times because of positive experiences. I told the owner the flaw that I feel could be fixed is clear communication on the phone to not tell me something is in stock when it isn't, and hasn't ever been in stock there--if I'm calling on the phone to ask if they have a plant, unless I am making an order for the plant, obviously I'm attempting to save myself the trip--, and apologize for the accusation to make amends. I wouldn't have made the trip had I simply been told it wasn't in stock, or 'I'm not able to look for you at this time, it might be faster/easier to come see for yourself'. However, if I heard right on the phone, she did tell me 'come Google the flowers with your eyes...' it sounded quite snarky. Vent over! Visit Glover nursery, I called them and they immediately found the answer...

Though having only visited once previously, and several years ago, I never thought Millcreek was much of a source for houseplants. I don't know if they usually shift focus later in the season, or it is due to COVID and everyone's sudden desire to turn their homes into jungles, but when I stopped by last week, they had looooooads!

My eye was immediately caught by a gorgeous large Prince of Orange Philodendron for $25, which I did not buy as I already had (a teeny!) one at home, but then returned a few days later because I could not resist it. There was also a giant Red Congo that near jumped in my arms, Audrey Ficus, Anthuriums, a variety of Sansevieria, carnivores, Calatheas, Tillandsia/airplants, succulents, and so much more au courant flora. Sizes range from those bitty fairy garden pots up to 10" or 12", with the majority around a medium 6".

I have been diggin' begonias lately, and they had so many varieties and sizes! Some of those hanging were pretty sad and torn up, but all the others were in excellent shape. More than one tempted me, though sadly none were as carefully labeled (with name, light, and water requirements) as the other plants, instead sharing the moniker "Rex Begonia."

They had quite a few planters, some garden and home décor items, pretty macramé hangers, soils and many amendments and fertilizers, and really all one could hope for as regards indoor plants. I did not check out the outdoor stuff besides a cursory glance, but even in August, they still had many annuals and perennials, along with piles of soils and mulch you can order by the truckload, decorative fountains, etc.

Prices are average, with some items lower than similar shops. They have a good size parking lot, though at times I have passed by and it has overflowed along the road. I wish they were open on Sundays, but other than that, I was...

This place will completely rip you off, especially when it comes to bulk mulch, soil, etc. I purchased what I believed was 4 cubic yards of bark ($275). They consider 1 of their Bobcat's scoops to be 1/2 cubic yard. So 8 scoops was to be 4 cubic yards- makes sense, right? Well, when they delivered it, it looked about 2.5 cubic yards. I know because I've went to the SLC landfill on numerous occasions to obtain bulk mulch (where their bulldozer's scoop is 3 cubic yards, at only $30 for 3 yards!). 3 yards from the landfill was still much larger than the "4 yards" they delivered to me. I complained, but the delivery guy insisted, and just drove off. After that, I had two professional landscapers look at the pile of bark, and each thought it was about 2 yards (without me telling them in advance that MillCreek said it was 4). I called to complain, and no one called me back. So I went back there and explained that they were definitely short of 4 yards. They guy had me watch them fill another truck with 8 scoops. I said "Yes, I don't doubt you gave me 8 scoops, what I highly doubt is that your 1 scoop is 1/2 yard". I even did a simple calculation of what his scoop at level would be based on the dimensions of the Bobcat bucket (which was about 65% of 1/2 a yard). So he huffed and said he'd bring me 2 more scoops. When he delivered it, he said "Here! 10 scoops for the price of 8!" in an extremely angry and bitter voice.

The math is really quite simple. 4 cubic yards should fill a box 3 feet wide by 3 feet tall by 12 feet long (1x1x4 yards), which even the updated "10 scoops" still fails to do.

In summary, take some advice, don't let these people rip you off too. Their plant prices are ridiculous, their staff ignorant and rude, and their math with the bulk material, well, that's not very...