Customers' email messages

2023

Aug 17

Hi Zoltan,  Nice to hear from you, it has been a year or two.  Sadly, under EU rules, we cannot send bulbs anywhere in the EU without a plant passport, as they have soil on their roots. This is a very expensive procedure, and well beyond our resources. In other words, we can no longer supply anyone in the EU, which even includes Northern Ireland, which is part of GB! Knocked a hole in our sales, I can tell you.   Best wishes from a wet England, Andy.
Zoltan replied: Thank you for your answer. I am very sorry for these stupid regulations as   I have a  very positive experience with your bulbs. Best  regards, Dr.Zoltan Kolozsvary (Romania)

May 2nd Hi there, Just wanted to say how delighted I am with the Apricot Impression. There are HUGE and bright pink. We have also had the Crème Upstar pop up and they are stunning too. Although I should dig those up and love them to a different area as they are over powered by the Apricot Impressions. The White Triumphators are also super interesting with triple heads. Will order a load more - when is the best time to places orders for bulbs? All the best, Miranda  

April 19th Good Morning. We came up with the Cavendish Horti Society last year for a visit and came away with some bulbs (of course). Just wanted to share a picture of one of the tulip tubs we planted, which has been absolutely spectacular. The pinks have been in bloom for at least 3 weeks now and show little sign of finishing, allowing the reds to come through at the same time. The others we planted have been just as good, unfortunately we haven't had the same success with a lot of wildflower bulbs (NOT from you I hasten to add) we planted in the ground. Anyway - just wanted to say thanks and share the picture which doesn't really do them justice to be honest! All the best, Phil and Karen.

March 11th Hi Andy, We bought some snowdrops in the green from you back in February and we're really pleased with them - thank you so much - fantastic quality, Rebecca Bingley.

Mar 5th Hi Andy, Just to say that the aconites and snowdrops arrived in good shape, for which many thanks. The aconites proceeded to flower well, and are much appreciated by our honeybees. Not much forage around for them at the moment, so they are very grateful. All best wishes, Susannah 

Feb 23rd Once, again, thank you for your personal service that makes it such a pleasure to do business with you.  My only regret now is that I no longer have half-acre gardens to enjoy but only a small patch around a mobile home and a wild bank bordering the park that I am in the process of slowly taming while not disturbing the wildlife. Kindest regards, Trish Lavery . 

Feb 18th Hi, Just to let you know the bulbs arrived safely on Tuesday and I got them planted.  They all look lovely, as you say they have no idea they have been moved! Kathrine Crompton

Feb 11th  Just to say thank you, the snowdrops arrived today, in time for us to go to the local park and add them to those we had already planted. The long term plan is a full snowdrop path which is inside the park, but can be seen from the pavement alongside. Having used a number of suppliers,  your name will go to the top of the list. Regards,  Jean Mahy

2022
November 9th Thank you very much for the prompt delivery of my order. You said that your delivery service was excellent and indeed it was much better than many others. Eva Blumenthal, London

April 25th Dear Andy, I thought you might enjoy seeing how your bulbs got on despite efforts of the squirrels trying to steal them. The perfect spot to enjoy the sunshine -complete with photo bombing black lab. My mum was also very impressed with her collection that you helped me with it, has provided ongoing colour for weeks. Thanks , Tina Kerr. 

March 25th  Dear Clare-bulbs,  We bought some bulbs in Sept when we stayed in Clare for a week. Just thought I would send a couple of photos. They are beautiful. Thank you so much. It was a pleasure meeting you all. Hopefully will return soon. Regards, Kevin and Elaine O’Reilly. 

Feb 24   Dear Andy B, I'd just like to comment on the excellent service and quality of the snowdrops and aconites that arrived today and are now planted.....I have ordered from a variety of sources in the past and your bulbs are by far the best in every way. Thank you. Gillian Ennis

2021

Sept 18 Thanks,  Andy and team, for the bulbs delivery that arrived exactly as promised on Tuesday. Now to plant them...and follow your advice. Many thanks for your continued brilliant service. Margaret Wright

June 27th Hope you are well; I am pleased to confirm I've just placed largest order yet, over £500!!! So excited as I was looking through the site. Anyway, i was a bit worried i may be late in ordering and wanted to ensure everything i have ordered can be fulfilled. Please give me a call okay so I don’t worry as I'm planning a really big display next spring in anticipation of things hopefully will open up! Much love and thanks to you for always been there as I really don’t know what I’d do without you!!!! Best wishes, Panna 

May 14th Hello Clare Bulb company, I just wanted to say that the bulbs have provided an amazing display. The star of the show has been the Monsellas, in a pot at the front door,  together with Abba. So many people have commented on them walking by. Thank you, Nel Mooy

May 10th Good evening Andy, We just wanted to say a very big thank you for the spectacular show we have had from the tulips you supplied. They have been admired by all who have seen them and have gone on and on giving their best despite the changeable weather. We will store them carefully for next year but will no doubt be back for more. Thank you and your team.  Denise and Ian Black.

May 8th Dear Clare Bulb company, Lovely to be back to buy some more bulbs. Almost an annual occurrence as I see the tulips up and notice the gaps then  start planning again for next year! The hundreds and hundreds of Daffs I bought from you around 4 years ago are going strong and put on a great show every year. Claire McClean

April 13th: Thanks for the update. It's good to understand how Brexit has affected businesses such as yours. Talk about over complicating a simple import/export process. You WILL win. Cos the crazy process will have to ease. No doubt about it.. Hang on in there, Clare Bulb Company! Meantime...I'm off to study your bulbs list.  Thank you for your great service and products...some of which you can see in the attached pic (snow-capped Pendle Hill in the background). Maggie Wright, sunny Lancashire

March 21st: When we spoke last year, I promised you photos of the 300 daffodils we bought from you  and planted last September in a windblown field in Snowdonia. These daffodils are amazingly resilient, especially considering that digging holes for the bulbs at the correct depth wasn’t feasible, so instead I basically just lifted the turf (that probably hasn’t been cultivated in at least 100 years), squeezed the bulbs in underneath, and then trampled on the turf above them a bit. They remind me of the Dylan Thomas poem - “the force that through the green fuse drives the flower”. They have done amazingly, especially considering that the weather has been atrocious on and off, since September - including lots of driving rain and wet ground. I will definitely be back for at least another 300 in the autumn. Nerys 

March 16th: Hello Andy, The bulbs came today and were in great condition, thank you.  Half of them are in already with help from two grandchildren and the rest will go in tomorrow I hope. Thanks again for your great service. Kind regards, Avril (Orkney Islands)

March 4th: I received my snowdrop order on Tuesday as promised,  planted them all on Wednesday in 40 minutes as suggested and just before a gentle shower of rain. Perfect. Thank you for your excellent service. Now I just have to be patient and wait for the wonderful show next Spring. Kind regards, Elaine Mulcahy 

Feb 24th Hi. Firstly I have now planted the 500 snow drops that you sent me & they look fabulous. Thank you. Secondly I would like some Pickwick & Remembrance Crocus bulbs. When is the best time to buy? I would like 250 of each. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Phil. 

February 18th Hello Andy, Very many thanks for the beautiful, perky, snowdrops - they’re already making their presence felt in our little garden and bringing great enjoyment. Thank you too for keeping me posted with delivery news. With best wishes , James Finlay

February 11th Dear Andy, My bulbs arrived safely on Tuesday and they are now planted. I am really pleased with them and thought I’d drop you a line to say thank you. Kind regards Leonie 

February 3rd: To confirm delivery at 08.17hrs today, 3 February. I'm astounded at the efficiency of APC - all other delivery companies usually fail miserably to deliver to my address. I shall be out planting soon. Many thanks.  Karen Thomsett   Andy's note: order collected from Clare midday Feb 2nd. We have used APC for many years.

February 1st: Hello Andy, I am delighted with my Snowdrops collected from you last Thursday - and what a very beautiful garden you have! I would like maybe 500 more Double Snowdrops if possible? 
Perhaps you could let me know if you could supply those? Kind regards, Julia Turner

2020

Dec 29th:  Hello! Just a note to say thank you - your website is full of brilliant information and help. The bulbs and the small blue slip of paper with bulb heights that arrived, ordered by the lady for whom I garden, has led me to your website! Happy New Year Kind regards and thanks again, Sarah

Oct 16th: Dear Andy, A giant box of bulbs arrived safely a couple of days ago. All looking good. Thank you. We look forward to receiving our order of snowdrops and aconites early next year and to our our modest garden being a riot of colour in Spring 2021. Thank you for your personal service. With all good wishes. Edna Bell 

June 10th Dear Andy, this is just a short note to share with you our delight with the raised beds that we planted back in December with the bulbs that you sent. We must've got lucky, because it's been like one of those fantastic firework displays that you see when as one spectacular burst fades away it is replaced by an even bigger and better one. From the first crocuses to the last irises we have had pretty well four months of spectacular colour, and very much looking forward to a repeat performance next year.   I know we caught you last year when you are was the end of the selling season, when is a good time to order this year? Mike

June 4th The order I placed with you last year was simply superb, so I’m back again. This time however, I think it’ll be best to send the bulbs direct to me in Orkney.  That’s the price I have to pay for such good service from you. Beth

April 26  Hello Andy, Caroline here from Cranbourne Gardens. I am delighted with my show of flowers this spring after my autumn delivery .Outstanding blooms....so thank you so much. Ordinarily I have lifted bulbs and replanted each year but is it ok to leave the in situ? There is so much contradiction on the internet so I thought I would put this to you . I do hope you are well in all this surreal situation, Best wishes Caroline. Our answer: Lovely garden, really nice. Here is what we do. Any bulbs in containers we let die back completely, take them out and let them "ripen" in the greenhouse during the summer. Then plant them in the garden, unless the bulbs are obviously very small, in which case we don't bother. Leave any bulbs that are not in containers in the ground. It is always best to follow our planting depth guide as they survive better the deeper they are planted. Hope that helps, XX Andy

April 24th Dear Anthony Bone, I hope you are well and managing this dreadful virus situation we are all in. Following your encouragement on the telephone last year, I ordered tulips from you. I am delighted to tell you they are absolutely fabulous. Thank you ever so much. In these difficult times of “staying at home” they are so uplifting. They are planted in a small mass on the edge of a small green. Neighbours love them and keep asking me what kind they are. The problem is, I can’t find my paperwork and can’t remember the tulip names! A tall pink, a purple and a beautiful orange...Can you possibly help? Many thanks, Betsy Galloway, York

April 13 One of the compensations of lockdown is that we are spending a lot of time in our garden and very much appreciated your tulips which are always fantastic. A spring without these vibrant colours would have made lockdown a lot more miserable. Hope you and your team are well. All the best, Graham McSporran

April 11th Hi there, I have just being sitting in my garden amid my beautiful bulbs. A friend of mine introduced me to your bulbs a couple of years ago and although I only have a small garden the displays have been wonderful. Thank you so much for brightening up my world in these frightful times. Hope you keep well and safe, Barbara Hill

April 8th Hello there, I promised that I would send you pictures of my beautiful tulips when in flower.  Here you go!  They bring me such joy.  More pictures to follow. THANK YOU and I hope that you are both OK. With all best wishes, Alex - a happy customer. 

Mar 20th Dear Andy, My order has arrived in excellent condition and are now planted. Thank you, Ray Jenkins

Feb 29th Good morning Andy, I bought these bulbs from you last year, to try to cheer up the grass at the front of our house in the spring.  Since late January every morning it’s put a smile on my face, when I open the curtains and see all the vivid colours brightening up the day. The photograph doesn’t do it justice, you have to ‘zoom in’ to see what’s there; we’ve had weeks of snowdrops and now they are fading, the crocuses and Tete-a-Tete are taking over, the aconites too have been in flower for weeks. Thank you. Regards Mark

Feb 17th Good morning Andy. No complaint about the bulbs and the latest delivery of aconites – such a delight in this awful weather – but please, when using newspaper for packing, could you ensure the answer page is included with the puzzle page? I spent three coffee breaks trying to find the 10th difference between pictures in the Children’s Puzzle section of the Daily Telegraph before deciding that what I thought was an optical illusion was, in fact, a measurable difference. Life really isn’t that sad – I just like puzzles! Thank you for your excellent service, Kind regards, Trish

Feb 4th  Dear Andy, The Snowdrops and Aconites arrived safe and sound late this afternoon. Due to the warm spell of weather we are having, we’ll get them planted tomorrow morning. All the other bulbs we got from you last autumn are coming along nicely and we look forward to their flowering. Thank you for your excellent attention. Best wishes, Edna

Feb 3rd Dear Andy, Thanks for taking the trouble to leave a message advising me of the delivery of the aconites.  I have been very impressed by your company’s attention since ordering from you and look forward to having aconites in my garden again.  Having lived abroad for many years, where spring flowers did not flourish, I love to see them and know that spring must be on the way.  Kind regards, Trish

2019

Dec 23 Thanks for supplying us with our bulbs this year. Thought you might like to see how the Paper Whites are doing - on time for Christmas and a beautiful fragrance in our entrance lobby, Tim and Cheryl. Click here to view picture

Oct 8th Dear Andy, this is to congratulate you on your amazing service.  The goods arrived today (Tuesday), having only been ordered and confirmed by you on Sunday when you ‘phoned to ask if substitutes were acceptable. One of the substitutes was 50 Hawera daffodils in lieu of 50 Dutch Iris Symphony.  I am happy to take the Hawera on your recommendation but must point out that you have only charged me for the Iris and not the higher price for the daffodils.  Please feel free to charge my Debit Card (you will have details on your records) for the difference. I was very pleased to have your helpful tips and planting chart in inches!  I have recently returned from many years in Europe using metric measures but still mentally convert everything except 10cm (4 inches), metres and kilometres, those being measurements that I can roughly recognise. The web site is also easy to use – I am no expert with computers – and the details given for each plant are very helpful.  I look forward to a colourful spring once my back has recovered from digging so many holes. Kind regards, Trish (NB We did not charge for the difference!)

Oct 1st  Dear Andy, Many thanks. We enjoy your bulbs so much!  They are always of excellent quality, and a huge addition to our London garden.  Most we put in pots and they are so cheery after a largely monotone winter. June

Sept 19th Dear Andy and Jane, Having just opened the box so lovingly packed by you in Suffolk, I am sending huge thanks from Norfolk. Your packaging is brilliant with only the merest smidge of plastic tape, which was easily removed, unlike the ridiculous amount of reinforced ‘paper’ tape used by other companies, which I doubt is recyclable. The size of the box was totally appropriate for the volume of goods and will be happily munched bit by bit either by my worms in their womery or the bugs in my compost pile on the allotment....along with all the paper bags.
The bulbs are top quality and I hope that by following your detailed, knowledgeable instructions, Mother Nature will assist me in allowing each one to achieve their full potential and beauty........I shall report back. In this day of online shopping lacking in human interaction, your company service stands out above all others. I am not an expert gardener and have not explored growing bulbs before, though I remember my mother keeping a bowl of three hyacinths under her bed each year with the aim of having them in flower and fill the entrance hall with their fabulous scent by Christmas Eve, I have always bought them ready prepared!! I’m on a new adventure with high hopes and you can be certain that as a result of your top service, I shall only purchase bulbs from you and will encourage others to do the same. Very many thanks and good wishes, Terri Carter

Sept 12th I would just like to thank you for my bulbs that arrived today, as promised. It is so refreshing to deal with  such an efficient and polite company. Kind regards, Sue

 Sept 10th Your bulbs arrived this morning! Thank you for such excellent service and encouragement. Thanks, Betsy.

Sept 9th Dear Andy, thank you for the message to let me know that the bulbs had been despatched.  They arrived on Friday in excellent condition all beautifully wrapped in their paper bags.  All I need to do now is plant them. Best wishes, Barbara.

Feb 15th The 25 aconites you sent me have been looking very happy today in the sunshine. Thanks, John Treble

2018

Sept 20th  Dear Andy, This is just to advise you of safe arrival of bulbs - thank you so much. I took out all the packets just to remind myself of what I had ordered and then tried to put them back, and was amazed at your beautiful and efficient packing because there was no way I was going to achieve this. No need to reply - just to say I am appreciative of all you do, even for modest customers, and hope the rest of your year goes well. Best wishes, Patricia Sunley.

Sept 3rd Andy, Just to feedback many thanks - the bulbs arrived and about half have been planted (there are always so many......!).
Your service most excellent as always. Graham Henley

May 13th  Dear Andy, Only 'discovered' Clare Bulbs last year but am more than pleased that I did  and just wanted to say:- thank you for the  excellent customer service and 'personal' touch. Makes a huge difference and one feels one is buying in complete confidence from a company that actually cares about its product and what it is doing.  - the quality of your bulbs is outstanding.  Everything has flowered splendidly this Spring in my huge and daunting project garden reclaiming a totally neglected space that two years ago was completely shaded by trees and grew nothing but holly and ivy.  Now have a modest border to indulge my passion for peonies and Hemerocallis that shone with Ballerina this spring and a woodland garden full of bluebells from yourselves. Outstanding are the lovely, lovely windflowers. I was not expecting much in this the first season but have been overwhelmed with over a month of profuse flowering of the largest and most beautiful white windflowers imaginable. The quality of your bulbs / corms is  non pareil. Thank you so much. Jill

2017

5th May Hi Andy, thanks for the email. I will have a good look at the catalogue-thanks. I had wanted to write to you anyway to let you know that the bulbs I ordered from you a couple of years ago are flowering with the biggest strongest flowers you could imagine.  I tell my husband repeatedly what brilliant stock you sent me. I've extended the flower beds so need bulbs for them too. You will get my order in the near future. Many kind regards, Anne Lumsden.

April 29th Just wanted to let you know, that I have enjoyed/am enjoying the tulips I planted from you SOO much.  They have been revelatory for me - up till now I’ve just bought bags from the garden centre.  So big and beautiful, I will buy a few more each year so that I always have some that go WOW, as I understand that they don’t always come back with the same enthusiasm.  (I’m a leave them in the ground and see what comes up next year kind of gardener as they are scattered through my herbaceous beds). In particular I’ve enjoyed Apricot Expression, and Tres Chic.  I’m in danger of becoming a tulip geek….Best wishes, Belinda (in Rottingdean).

April 24th Hello Andy, An update a year on from planting the snowdrops, aconites and bluebells that we bought from you in the green last year: we were very pleased that everything we planted came up nicely and flowered - the bluebells are just starting now. Many thanks, Susannah

April 5th  Hello, Andy, the parcel arrived yesterday. The plants are all in excellent condition. Thanks a lot! I hope to have a small blue carpet by the next spring among my silver birch trees. I shall also plant a few hazels there. There is a corner there, which is damp in the spring, but dries out by the summer. I believe these are the right conditions for the bluebells? Loreta 

Mar 29th  Andy, I hope that you and yours are well. Please see attached a few pictures of our Field of Hope in Windsor.  The bulbs are courtesy of Clare Bulbs of course  and they come up year after year without  fail! If Windsor’s most famous resident has a look shall I ask if  Lord Clare could be a possibility? Rgds, Ed (Councillor Ed Wilson) Click here for picture (Andy agrees that Lord Bone of Clare sounds about right...)

Mar 29th  Dear Everyone at Clare Bulbs, I bought 25kg bag of mixed daffodils and some tulips last year. I hadn't appreciated how many bulbs 25 kg contained but I am so glad I persevered with the planting.
I am now reaping the benefits! They look beautiful, the quality and the variety of the flowers is amazing. They make me smile every time I look out of the window or go into the garden. Thank you for your excellent service and quality of the bulbs. Best wishes, Deborah Tomlinson

Mar 27th   Dear Andy, Just a quick note to say thanks for all your help and advice last November choosing the daffodils and narcissus, they are looking fantastic. Photo attached. Best regards, Martin Fojut

Feb 27th  Many thanks for bulbs! They look great - and service perfect. Best wishes. James Finlay

Feb 9th   Dear Andy, This is just to say thank you for the bulbs, (single snowdrops in the green & English bluebells in the green) which arrived safely & looked very healthy, I planted them straight away & I look forward to seeing them flourish & spread in the years to come. With best wishes, Jean Crump.

2016

Oct 8th  Good day, I thought you might like a picture of the after effects of buying just 10 Cyclamen Neopolitanum  bulbs from you about 10 years ago. In short, they are making a take over bid for the garden. They have multiplied and 'walked' from the original location (picture 1) and have crossed a concrete and slate path and have now colonised the raised bed about 10 ft away. They have achieved this without any intervention or border control from me, so I'm glad this happened before Brexit!  When we bought them, you said they would spread. You were right! They are a delightful and much admired part of our garden. Thank you and see you next Autumn. Michael

Sept 8th  Dear Anthony, I received my order this week; the bulbs look really good! Many thanks, Sybil Barton

Sept 8th  Hi Andy, Just a quick note to thank you for the bulbs. Arrived shortly after midday today so Madame has been busy planting this afternoon. Service excellent as we have come to expect from you. 
Kind regards, Mike Gallimore. 

July 20th Last year you had a bargain sale and I thought you might like couple of pictures of these beautiful  iris which have just come out . In our severe cold and windswept climate ( 2,000 feet up in Scotland ) I could not plant the bulbs out in the ground at the time, hence the containers but they will be planted  out for next year.  I was delighted with them. Susan Wilcox Click here for pic of Iris Symphony

May 16   Hi Andy I thought you might like a few pictures of your lovely tulips! I ordered them very late and planted them even later in a rush!!? Couldn't have looked better if I'd spent ages planning it!!! What with the few daffs you had left and the tulips we have had about six weeks of colour! Thank-you very much! Every good wish, Phyll Bennett. (Click here for picture) 

May 9 Hi, I thought you would like to see this . They have been much admired and i have passed on you name to many of my friends . I will send you a few more pictures of  the Narcissi  in the new garden  I am creating . The flowers are still going  strong and smelling of cloves. Best wishes  will be ordering again soon,  Barbara Buckley.