This likely affects other affiliated operations, like Wayside Gardens, a major seller of perennials and other ornamental plants.
The financial problems may explain why the company has been getting dismal consumer ratings lately (i.e. on www.gardenwatchdog.com).
Their announced plan to dispose of some assets sounds like a good idea. When seed companies try to do too many things (like selling plants) they often fall on their faces. They could rescue their reputation by getting back to the core of what they historically have been good at.
Not surprised at all, though I gave 'em another two years to run it into the ground. The Gardenwatchdog posts say it all. I’ve heard it from my customers as well, working at a nursery that has a great mail-order reputation.
It’s sad, that stalwarts like Jackson & Perkins, Park Seed, and Wayside can be decimated when bought by people who just didn’t know how to run that type of business, but kept acquiring good nurseries. There is no excuse for their lousy customer service and wimpy plants. I suppose I should be glad, as we will undoubtably receive more business with them out of the picture, but, it really takes a lot of stupid to mess up that badly.
In reading your link more closely, Jackmannii, specifically the local SC comments when you scroll down, it really tells the whole tale. I’m sad to see what used to be a nursery with enthusiastic plantspeople go down this way.