Armstrong Garden Centers — Local services in Claremont

This place was awesome. I was looking for specific plants to repel cats. Tried 2 well known hardware stores and couldn't find the plants in needed, also clerks couldn't answer questions. At this store the employees actually know stuff about plants. So I was able to find Rue. Which is an herb that repels cats. And I could not find it anywhere else. There was only one downside, the first time I went there the gentleman that rang up my purchases asked if I had a phone number on file, I answered no. But did not offer me the option to sign up for the loyalty reward. Then I came back two days later to buy lavender and one Rue plant. I asked one person where it was there, and she told me go down this aisle and it's over there. So I walked down the main aisle and went over there and couldn't find it. Then I found a young man near the main fountain in the middle at the big area with plants. I asked him where the lavender was and what he told me I was lost again. It was literally right across from where he was on the corner he did the same thing pointed in a general area, instead of walking me over to it. So I find that a little off-putting. Then when I was at the register checking out the girl asked if I had a phone number on file no, I said no and so then she started a ring me up. So I asked how do I get signed up for the Loyalty Rewards? She said oh then backed out of the screen she was on, then signed me up and explained the benefits. So because the first gentleman didn't sign me up I missed out on getting 56 points because that's what my first purchase came to. So I would work on getting the employees to explain it to people&...

TLDR: This is a beautiful garden center with knowledgeable, friendly staff. I will return! This is not a hidden location, and I've passed by many times without stopping. I'm so glad that I did this time.

I'm very fond of Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach (see my review) and I would say that the quality of the products and staff are on par with that 5 star retailer. I'm giving 4 here only because 1) it was my first visit, and 2) they are strictly a garden center (and that's not a bad thing).

They carry Monrovia plants which I've found to be the highest quality. The layout is inviting and pleasant to wander through. You will find unique plants and other items (this is not Home Depot) that get you to imagine how beautiful they will be in your own home/garden.

I asked questions of several staff and they knew exactly what I meant (I'm not a horticulturalist) and had a solution for me. Came in to just look and walked out with $60 worth of products...and I'm not sorry.

If you care about your plants and...

My husband and I drove an hour from the High Desert to go to Armstrongs. I used to shop there when we lived in Chino and loved it. Yesterday was a different experience. I went to find premium succulents and pots. I found a very small section of succulents which were drowned and sitting in water. They had been watered with a wand so all of the succulents had water sitting in the rosettes and it was slimy. They had a good selection of large aqua/ teal pots, but nothing in a 8-14" pot. Their staff was not friendly and seemed put out when asked questions. I almost fell twice. Once on a mop that was sitting in the middle of an aisle behind a post and once on my way out on a large river rock that was supposed to be holding their front door open, but had been pushed shut and landed in the center of the doorway. I will not waste my time again to shop at an Armstrong...