Tagawa Gardens — Local services in Centennial

This review is only for the Tagawa Gardens installation service which I strongly advise against using. Three Tagawa employees showed up with all the plants ordered. Planting occurred in a location covered by mulch. I was surprised at how quickly they installed the plants. When I started inspecting the completed work, I found out why. Instead of moving the mulch aside to plant the plants in the soil, many of the plants were installed directly into the mulch. When I moved the mulch aside, I saw that the root ball was sticking out of the ground like a cork sticks out of a wine bottle after you open the bottle and stick the cork back in. 50% to 75% of the roots were not in the dirt. Some sat on top of the soil with no roots in the ground at all. I pointed out this problem to Ben, the planting supervisor. He told Cole to plant the plants in the soil, not just stick them in the mulch. Cole seemed surprised by this and said “I guess I can move the mulch aside.” I continued to check and find plants that were only in mulch and not dirt. The three of them continued to bury the ones I located. After the fourth time I located plants that were only in mulch, I was asked to look at the plants and approve the work. I approved.

Later, my wife and I began to install drip line. In doing so, we moved mulch aside to place emitters next to the plants. We discovered that instead of burying plants in the dirt, Cole placed a layer of clay on top of the mulch to make it look like they were in dirt. When viewed from the top, it looked like the plants were in soil. After moving the mulch aside and looking at the plants from the side, you could see that the plants sat mostly or entirely on top of the soil, surrounded by mulch, with a layer of clay on top of the mulch to make it look like they were in the soil. This really made me angry. This is a deceptive business practice.

I contacted Tagawa Gardens and complained about this. Chuck, the Assistant General Manager came over to take a look. I pointed out that not only were most of the plants installed such that the root ball was just in mulch and not dirt, but those that were in the soil were planted in holes the size of the pot they came in. Standard practice is to install plants in a hole that is 2 – 4 times the width of the pot they came in. The extra space is filled with amended soil. Chuck agreed that plants should be installed in holes twice the width of the root ball. He flagged about ten plants and said that someone (Teague might have been the name) would be over to fix the problems. Someone did come over and perform some additional work. I looked at the first plant he worked on. He did dig the hole deeper, but not wider. The hole was approximately ½ inch wider than the root ball, not 2 -4 times. I picked up the plant from the hole and put it back in without the root ball touching the side of the hole. There was no fill dirt to secure the plant in the ground. It was just loose in a hole a little wider than the root ball.

As we continued to install drip line, we found the same problems. Plants are placed in the mulch with 50% to 75% of the roots above the soil. Plants that did make it into the soil were placed in holes about the width of the pots they came in instead of 2 -4 times the width that is best practice. Yesterday, we completed the drip line installation and are now faced with replanting a number of plants so that they are in the soil and not just sitting in mulch. We also discovered two of the six yucca plants were planted sideways, so the plant and flowers are growing against the ground instead of up into the air.

I will continue to buy plants from Tagawa Gardens since that part of their business works well. However, I am deeply disappointed in their planting service and advise you to either conduct your own planting or use...

I had called ahead and talked to a person in the lawn department and confirmed with them that they were to have in stock three items that I was looking for. I got to the store and spoke with five different people who could not tell me where the lawn department was. After I found the sign that they told me to look for which was placed in front of the kiosk where people stand so you cannot see the sign, the sign on top said Rose Help, I then asked about the three items I was looking for. I was told they didn't have them and we went looking to see what they had. The primary item I was looking for the employee found something completely different, he took me to the herb seed section. I had asked about getting white clover for a 6x6 area, have been told that they had it, got there and they had it for a 1200 square ft area. I went to the perennial section found a very nice helpful person and then after I describe a flower that bloomed once a year in spring she took me to the annual section. On our way there I confirmed that she knew that annual meant that it died every year, she continued on and didn't pause. We got to the annual section and the person there had no idea on where to find flowers similar to what I was looking for. The lady from the perennial section then walked over one aisle and found a set of flowers similar to what I was looking for. I wandered around some more spent 30 minutes looking at roses, some had aphids, and picked out a rose bush, there was a sign advertising a special sale on the 19th of April. I put the rose bush on my cart and proceeded to look throughout the store. An employee stopped me and told me it was against the law for them to sell the Rose before the 19th but I could come back for their special sale. I checked with the state of Colorado and there isn't such a law, they require that the root systems reach a certain amount of growth before being made available however it's not specified when they can sell them. So in conclusion nice people, completely incompetent, and misrepresent things. I see no need to go back. Update: 4/20/2024 Even though I was pretty put off by the misrepresentation given over the phone I do strive to give a business 3 chances when a mistake happens. I went back two more times, another nice person in perennials, unaware of what they had in the store, searched for something which she had moved that morning (I saw it the first visit), couldn't find it so I had to search and find it myself. Different people in annuals, again no clue what they had or where. Did find some other cute perennials. Went back Friday the 19th and found the Roses that I was looking at, much worse for wear, I don't think they were watered properly. Got them home and isolated and in the morning found them infested...

Horrible customer service experience. I bought my husband an olive tree in June for Father's Day (as a tribute to my daughter born earlier in the year and we named Olive). I knew the tree was dried out when I purchased it, but I didn't realize the extent never owning this type of tree before. I put a LOT of time and care into trying to get the tree back into good condition, including a lot of reading on the topic. After a few months of being unable to revive the tree, I threw in the towel and took it back to Tagawa Gardens. I presented the store with my receipt (which I held on to because, as I said, the tree was dry when I purchased it and knew from early on there may be a problem) and was told this is a "house plant" and the return needed to happen within 45 days of purchase. However, even on the receipt itself, it clearly states that trees can be returned within 1 year for store credit. I asked to speak with the manager, who on inspection of the tree broke off multiple branches. She told me she would offer 25% off a new purchase. I told her that was unacceptable, especially since she had broken off pieces of the tree. She then proceeds to break off several more pieces off the tree. I told her again that wasn't OK, that this is my property and if the store wasn't going to take the tree back she shouldn't be breaking pieces off. She only said she had to be "fair" to other customers and would offer the 25% off a new purchase. I asked to speak to the other store manager, who justified her breaking off the 10+ branches to see if the tree was "viable".

I can't describe the whole experience as anything other than disgusting. I tried to show my good faith to the store by not rushing back the second I knew there was a problem with the tree. I expected Tagawa Gardens to show some good faith as well, or at the very least, honor the policy they have WRITTEN on their receipt. I really wanted this tree to work out, especially given the sentimental value it held. But, if I had taken the tree home, never watered or cared for it, but returned it during the 45 day "house plant" return window, that would have been ok???

All I can say is thank goodness for credit card disputes. I submitted my documentation to my credit card company and have been credited the purchase price.

Shame on you...