Chris Bowers & Sons Reviews 

I originally received two bare root pear trees in March this year. Despite the good packaging, one of them had rather dry looking roots and the plastic bag containing them had been perforated by a root. The other tree has flourished whereas the dry rooted one failed to come into leaf. On raising this with Gemma @Chris Bowers, I was offered a refund or replacement tree, deferred to this planting season. On reminding her, a well packaged, potted tree of the same variety has arrived promptly and looks healthy. So, my experience has been positive. Can't fault the after-sales service.

I received excellent advice on gooseberries. This resulted in me being able to select the correct variety for the growing location.
When my bare root plant arrived, it was well packaged and in excellent condition.

Absolutely rubbish company.

As an experienced gardener who's ordered from numerous companies before I had ordered 12 trees specifically because of the range of varieties provided on the website. When they came they were in poor condition, terrible labelling, weak roots and untrue to the sizing specified. They were significantly smaller than what I was told but even then I took care of them hoping to turn it around. Just two were alive the other trees are completely dead and the other two died shortly after too.

From another 2 companies, Jparker and Yougarden we have had trees growing in our orchid perfectly fine within the same season. Absolutely amazing companies with great customer service I highly recommend rather than chris bowers.

The ones from this company came in extreme poor conditions and they were not freshly dug up either as if they were pulled out from the soil and "preserved" for some time before actually packaging and dispatching the delivery.

This company has been a complete waste of time and their customer service is so terrible. Ignoring emails for months on end, zero communication, snarky and rude responses when they do finally get back to you, no mention of refunds and no keeping their word to their guarantee. Whoever is responding has no reading comprehension either repeating themselves like a broken record player denying that 12 dead trees isn't their fault!

There is zero liability taking place and no actions taken to take responsibility for the disrespect, disregard, waste of money or time. Absolutely exhausting to deal with this company still refusing to refund. I recommend ANYWHERE else. Extremely disappointed. They just lie.

I’ve ordered twice from Chris Bowers and the plants have arrived well packed. I’m especially pleased with the shape of the Asian Pear tree that was sent. Beautifully pruned and symmetrical.

I’ve also had to contact their customer support and they were very helpful and responsive.

As they send bare root plants, one of my gooseberries didn’t break its dormancy. Customer support was very helpful; sent photos and they sent a replacement.

If I ever order another fruit bush or tree, definitely will order from this company. I have ordered from others and the quality was not there.

If you are looking for plants for your allotment, would recommend this site

Great selection of fruit bushes from a proper nursery. Excellent information about varieties online and the plants I ordered were very well packaged and arrived in excellent condition.

Great tree, affordable and very friendly staff! Highly recommend. Thank you

Terrible customer service.

The tree I purchased was a fastigiate/columnar variety, though when it arrived it had only two branches, both growing out at 45 degrees. After enquiring to see how best to plant, I received one sentence (I guessed it was meant for me, and I have no idea who wrote it) and my follow-up emails requesting advice and information were ignored.

As a result, I will not be planting the tree in the space I had planned, as I just do not trust that it is as described.

If I'd not had such a busy schedule, I would've taken it further, as it was I had to put it down to bad experience. Due to the lack of time and, thus, forethought, I had not read reviews first, which, as a rule I had always done! My advice is to keep well away.

I'm sorry to read the negative comments - my experience has been very satisfactory.

I had ordered a fan-trained peach, and although delivery took longer than I had been expecting, communications with the customer service department have been prompt and helpful - and the peach tree arrived well packaged and looking healthy.

I wouldn't hesitate to order from Chris Bowers again in the future.

One Star is a compliment and far too flattering.

Placed an order in Mid October was informed the delivery would be 3-5 days. When I requested an actual delivery date I was given drivel without a confirmed delivery date, other than i could take up to 28 days (Which according to Mabel at Chris Bowers is "statutory" lol) and still without an actual confirmed delivery date.

I cancelled my order, have written to them 4 times to request a refund without a response. Have had to take out a section 75 with the credit card company to have funds returned. In my opinion, if you wish to be disappointed, waste your time, and thoroughly let down, these guys may well exceed your low expectations.

PS a post uploaded by another "customer" on 04-11-2025 received a very similar experience albeit they have had their funds returned without notice of cancellation or any prior contact.

Cant wait to read what drivel Mabel at Chris Bowers will produce following this rating.

My peach tree arrived promptly was well packed and a very nice specimen...
I'm looking forward to bumper crops!

Ordered two weeks ago, no communication received regarding the order status, website said in stock 5-7 days delivery. I finally sent an email out a couple of days ago. I had a response saying item would be delivered the middle of next week.

Today I received a refund email. No apology, nothing. Just a complete waste of time. Avoid and go buy from a company that actually cares about your business.

To start with the website is a delight to inform how to choose the right tree when you are new to fruit trees. The guides are comprehensive and easy to read. So I felt like I could make a n informed choice. I was a bit nervous about the reviews but balanced the positives with the negatives.
I found ordering easy and it was confirmed quickly. The trees was delivered within the advised 30 days. Delivery was a good experience well packed and delivered within a smile.
The tree looks healthy and is in the ground following the great guidance. Just waiting for it to spring into life next year
Thanks for great service.

Trees arrived promptly and in great condition
Will buy from them again

Changed my review from a one star to three star after my order arrived and the grape vines I ordered seem good quality. Pity their customer service is below average and they don’t reply to any emails/contact forms beacuse their products and pricing are reasonable

Appalling lack of service. My plants did not arrive after 6 weeks. I tried ringing and left messages with no response. Fortunately I used PayPal so was able to get a refund.

Bought what was meant to be a Court Pendu Plat, some years ago from this grower, it was nothing of the sort- after a bit of research, I worked out they had sent a Catshead. Unfortunately until the tree fruited it was impossible to know that the incorrect tree had been sent out.

I ordered an apple tree from Bowers but the following day realised I had ordered the wrong variety So I phoned to request a change. The reply was that it was too late !! to change. After barely 24 hours?
To make matters worse the quality of the tree that arrived was very poor.

I ordered a redcurrant cordon. The delivery took much longer than I thought and I did email about a month later to be told it was due to be dispatched - I wonder if I hadn’t contacted them whether it would have been sent. It arrived looking in very poor health, I notified them via email immediately and received no response. I chased, no reply. About a month later it was dead, so I finally called and to be fair I was sent a replacement (hard to tell health as now it will be dormant). But the bare root came with very little soil so I had to immediately repot, which was a bit inconvenient but fine. The main issue was half the “soil” was pieces of cat poo. It smelled awful when I opened the plastic and initially I thought it may have been a type of manure but no, there were four very distinct clumps of excrement, honestly more poo than soil. I own a cat myself but it still wasn’t pleasant and made me wonder about the growing and packing process…time will tell if the plant is a success or not but between the poor condition, poor communication and poor packaging (!) I am not sure I would buy from them again.

Ordered a lovely plum tree.
Excellent communication for delivery and very well wrapped. It's been in the ground 2 weeks and looking super healthy. I'm very pleased.

Order placed in September, Monies taken, Discovery apple tree not delivered, all emails ignored....DO NOT recommend and avoid