Pandy's Garden Center — Local services in Elyria Township

It pains me to write this review of my favorite garden center because I wanted my negative experiences to be rare.

About 4 months ago I purchased a streptocarpus. It was beautiful and lush and very large for its small pot. When I got it home I decided to have a look at the roots to see just how root bound it was. Much to my horror the roots were covered in fluffy white specks. I had never seen anything like it so immediately started googling. Root mealy bugs! Ive read many times that you should check the roots of plants in store by popping the pot down and having a look. I never do this in case it tears apart a thin/delicately rooted plant.

About a month ago, I bought an Epiphyllum Anguliger fire. It had some unusual raised bumps but having never owned this type of plant and seeing the bumps on one other Epiphyllum in the greenhouse, I thought it was "normal." My neighbor that grows orchids stopped by recently. When he saw the Epiphyllum he informed me I had a scale infestation. And I brought it home like that! I started removing the gross little bumps but quickly realized there was no way to know if I got them all or how many other plants could soon show signs.

The day I purchased the Epiphyllum, I stood and chatted with an employee (of 22 years) for over 15 minutes with that plant in my hand and she said nothing. Unfortunately the whole car ride home, all my plants were on one of those cardboard trays touching each other.

Approximately 2 weeks ago, I purchased some clearance plants. One was an alocasia dragons breath (at least thats what Google lens suggested). When I arrived home I noticed the alocasia pot had fallen over in the car revealing the roots. Why oh why was there root mealy bugs? I clearly didn't learn from my mistakes.

Thinking about the way a lot of the plants are sharing water reservoir trays, I wonder if that is how root mealy bugs are spreading in the greenhouse. Admittedly I know little about them having never had this pest, however several garden websites say they can spread this way.

I did attempt to speak with an employee in December about my experience with the streptocarpus. I mentioned I had noticed something they should be aware of. The older lady I was talking to was very uninterested and kept her focus on the register even though there was no one in line. I understand she wasnt feeling well. She told me she was sick after I hesitantly commented about the root mealys. It was an incredibly awkward scenario. I didnt feel comfortable pressing the issue with the poor woman.

On my first ever visit to Pandys, I asked a young lady working the register what type of philodendron I was holding because it had no label. She didn't know. I had just asked one of the older ladies in the back. She also didn't know. But they work there. So who knows?

Feels like the takeaway here is to just be aware that even your favorite garden center full of gorgeous plants at great prices might not know what common pests look like. Try to educate yourself and always isolate new plants entering your home to prevent a spread or infestation. Of course it is impossible for a garden center to catch everything, but education matters. Knowing what you are looking at is, as it turns out, quite important!

I still like Pandys and will still recommend this beautiful place to friends, but only in the distant future, after their root mealy bug outbreak is...

First time visitor review: we usually go to Petittis in Avon but found ourselves on the hunt for more new gen freedom boxwoods which Petittis was out of stock. FIRST MINUTE IMPRESSION WALKING IN: Upon arrival you’ll notice there’s a lot to take in. Stuff is everywhere and all over the place. Some departments are labeled upon entry while other areas of the garden center you have to maze your way through and take a guess. Getting your cart anywhere in the place is a headache. Just leave it and run through the narrow dead end aisles the best you can. If you’re disabled or need handicap assistance this place will limit you to mainly viewing the indoor gift shop and one outdoor section. Most of the areas feel crammed. Some items are priced and tagged while others are blank. When I mean blank I’m not kidding. Just a plastic disposable pot, no label, no barcode, no care print tag etc. Entire rows of plants would leave you guessing and not confident in what it was or what minimal care is required for it. I don’t want to have to ask employees for everything. I disregarded so many possible purchases because info was not displayed or easily available. A lot of my time was wasted on looking for basic specs. WATCH YOUR HEAD! - During our visit another customer had an extremely large hanging basket fall from the bars above and knock her on the head. I don’t know why such extremely large ferns are directly overhead of where customers walk. It’s like this in many areas of the greenhouse. EMPLOYEES: the staff are friendly and helpful. We had multiple approach us and offer assistance and provided us with knowledge on the plants on our cart. We were impressed with the employee experiences during our visit. PRICES: We were shocked and didn’t expect the prices to be as high as they were. They were not very competitive. Also FYI: we were told they do NOT offer military or veteran discounts or discount days like Petittis does. OVERALL, It’s a “decent” place if you have the extra time, patience and money during your visit. But it would not be considered our new always place to go like we thought it was going to be. Will probably stick with Petittis Avon for a majority of our greenhouse shopping and utilize Pandy’s as our back up if...

I have walked in to Pandy's several times within the past month. I am very disappointed with how much they have changed especially with the holiday season soon to arrive. I miss the times the Christmas trees were set up and all lit with lights where you could travel down a path and view every option. I miss the "Christmas Wonderland." There was a train by the birds, poinsettias in the garden area of every color imaginable, the line for santa by the trees, beverages for guests, the light option that covered the whole back of the store, and lit trees outside the back for customers to purchase. The decorations now look as if no thought or holiday spirit was put into it. Every decoration looks to have a commercialized look that could be done by any person off the street. They hurriedly decorated it because everybody else was doing it. The prices are extremely over priced and the organization is not seen in the displays. It's not set in the view of a child's eye, it looks as if it's from the eyes of an adult just to quickly make a sale. Next, I notice there is one man who seems to be the owner. He is always on his phone, never happy, disrespecting other employees. (especially in front of customers) He seems to have an attitude based on his own self and not living the way the business was founded on. His attitude seems to affect the other employees. I know that everyday a business doesn't have a rosy day but I yet have to see one rosy day in the times I've visited. How do you feel the negative attitude affects other employees? I can't even describe how many times this gentleman is on his phone while in Pandy's uniform. Some one like this should work at Verizon? Am I wrong? One time I walked in and he was asked a simple question by a customer and huffed and complained that he had to stop talking on his phone to assist them. For as many young employees that work there I am astonished that they can be without using there cell phone as much as he does. It seems as if management expects the employees to carry out tradition and respect but can't follow through themselves. Just remember do what you love and love what you do in order to...