Shipping
Flowers by the Sea ships plants throughout the United States, including Arizona, California, Florida and Hawaii. We don't ship cuttings or small, barely rooted sticks. Instead, we send you plants that are well established and garden ready in 3.5-inch containers. They are large enough for safe packing and shipping in sturdy cardboard boxes. Shipping costs are separate of charges for plants. Shipping fees vary based on size of order and distance of destination from our Northern California farm.
Many of our customers have said, "These are the largest and healthiest mail order plants we have ever seen".
Shipping Costs and Rate Structure
We ship exclusively via United Parcel Service, using a customized shipping-rate structure in which the cost of delivery increases slightly as the size of your order increases. Adding additional plants to your order will decrease the cost per plant. Delivery charges are also based on your location, and are displayed in real time during the checkout process. Our secure server communicates with the UPS Rates server and calculates the exact charges from us to you. Shipping costs are complex
We at FBTS are proud of the large, well developed plants we ship. The bottom line is this: Our plants cost more to ship than those of most other mail-order nurseries. Our negotiated charges from United Parcel Service are based on volume, not weight. Larger plants = larger boxes, which translates to higher shipping charges. We don't raise plant prices to artificially subsidize low shipping fees - what you pay for shipping is what it costs us, nothing more. And the UPS rate structure makes it possible for us to decrease the shipping price per plant as order size increases, and you can add to your order before it ships with minimal additional costs.
We know you will love our plants, and hope you understand why it costs what it does to ship them safely to you.
We know you will love our plants, and hope you understand why it costs what it does to ship them safely to you.
Shipping Schedule
FBTS ships plants throughout the year, weather permitting, and our busy times are in spring and fall. Shipping occurs on Mondays and Tuesdays only, which allows us to avoid weekend delays in delivery and ensures that your plants arrive as fresh as possible. For the same reason, we generally don't ship during weeks in which holidays occur. When you place an order, our shopping cart page lets you select a shipping week from a list of choices. Weeks shaded in gray are unavailable due to Federal holidays or a full schedule for that week. If you skip this section of the order page or if you choose to let us select your delivery week, we'll send out your order during the next available shipping week. However, we may hold your order for later delivery if extreme weather is predicted for your area during the scheduled shipping time. In that case, we'll contact you promptly. Packing and shipping occurs on Mondays and sometimes on Tuesdays. If Monday of a scheduled shipping week is a legal holiday, we do not ship that week. Order Tracking
Our carrier sends you a tracking notification shortly after your package is on their truck. Please use this information to track the progress of your shipment. We don't require a signature for delivery unless you tell us one is advisable and that you don't want your plants delivered unless someone is at home to accept them. We chose our shipping company not only because its rates are fair but also due to its reliable, careful service. However, if you have any problems with delivery, please contact us. Requests for Delayed Delivery
To delay receipt of an order due to sudden, difficult weather or another reason, please contact us immediately. If it isn't already shipped, we can generally place a hold for a few weeks. Then we will confirm the order's rescheduling with you the week before your rearranged shipping date. Additions to Orders
Registered users can add plants to an order by placing an additional order and selecting "Combined shipping" when checking out. This method is explained in more detail here. This is the only method that can be used to combine orders. The shipping date may change when combining orders. Changes to Orders
As we custom grow the plants you order, we cannot change orders in progress. Preordered Plant
Some plants in production but not ready to ship may be preordered. This is helpful for obtaining some of the most unusual and rare varieties that we grow and which sell out rapidly. It also allows gardeners in colder parts of the country to order early and receive their plants at the appropriate time for their location. Plants for preordering are clearly identified as is the first date they can be shipped. If you include currently available plants along with your preorder, we hold your entire order until the preordered items are ready for shipment. Please note: Preordered plants can't be ordered along with the Salvia Daily Deal plant. The Daily Deal is for immediate shipping only. Please note: Preordered plants cannot be ordered along with the Salvia Daily Deal plant. The Daily Deal is for immediate shipping only. Packaging Materials
FBTS uses recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam packing peanuts to keep the weight of shipping boxes -- and the cost of shipping -- as low as possible while providing maximum protection for plants. One way to repurpose packing peanuts is to donate them to local shipping stores, such as PakMail and UPS. For a full explanation of our packing choices, please read Ask Mr. Sage: Why FBTS Uses Foam Packing Peanuts & How to Reuse Them. Instructions Accompanying Orders
For more information about what to do when your plants arrive, please read Buying Salvias Online from FBTS: Unpacking & Planting. Immediately after your order ships, you will receive a detailed instructional email titled Unpacking, Planting and Unconditional Satisfaction. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions about shipping.