Chiltern Seeds are my go-to people for seeds. An excellent range of products, a lot wider than a lot of other companies. The website is good at drawing my attention to plants that I have never heard o... See more
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Company details
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Set up in 1975 Chiltern Seeds sell a wide range of flower, vegetable and unusual seeds to grow in your garden.
Contact info
Preston Crowmarsh 114, OX10 6SL, Wallingford, United Kingdom
- 01491824675
- info@chilternseeds.co.uk
- www.chilternseeds.co.uk
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 48 hours
The best range, quality and customer service you'll find in the UK
I want to start by saying don't be dissuaded by negative reviews - I'm pretty sure they mostly refer to a company using a similar name with a poor reputation. I feel sad for Chiltern Seeds as they deserve an average five star rating!
I bought lots of seeds from Chiltern this year as a new gardener.
I found the website to be excellent. There is a huge variety of unusual and beautiful seeds - the sort of thing you can't get in garden centres, even more specialist ones. This includes uncommon varieties of popular plants like Cosmos - if you're looking for something a bit different that will have everyone asking "WHERE did you get that?!" then this is the place to go!
There are also really useful features on the site including "seeds to sow now", well curated seasonal edits and the ability to filter by a whole range of parameters which was very helpful in finding things that would work for my space and the time available.
I ended up ordering three times from them this season - multiple cosmos, zinnia and phlox varieties, scabiosa, snapdragons, eustoma, Ammi Majus & visagna, papaver, Nigella. Seeds arrived promptly and were beautifully packaged with clear instructions.
I've had success with almost everything aside from the eustoma which is notoriously tricky & did actually sprout but was damaged when my cat decided to take a nap on the seed tray which is hardly Chilterns fault! The phlox took a while and I thought I'd have to give up on it but suddenly, almost every seed germinated and started rapidly growing. The overall germination rate was so high I ended up with a LOT of spare seedlings which made nice gifts for friends and family.
Everything is starting to bloom now and I was delighted to be able to make my first ever mini bouquet last week from plants in my garden. I'm particularly excited about the cosmos - I haven't seen the varieties I bought in any other garden or garden centre and they're breathtakingly beautiful.
Next year, I'm definitely going to stock up on sweetpeas - again, they stock some truly gorgeous varieties - and will be ordering foxglove seeds to overwinter too!
Though I've had no problems I note that Chiltern respond kindly and helpfully to those who have, offering replacements and advice.
I recommend Chiltern to everyone without hesitation. Excellent customer service, the best range I've seen anywhere in the UK and top quality products. I'm already excitedly planning my cutting garden for next year!
My favourite seed people
Chiltern Seeds are my go-to people for seeds. An excellent range of products, a lot wider than a lot of other companies. The website is good at drawing my attention to plants that I have never heard of or wouldn't normally consider buying and gives expert growing and plant care advice. Good quality seeds, speedy delivery and excellent customer service.
Really impressed with how they handled…
Really impressed with how they handled my complaint. I’d bought Giant Fennel seeds and only 1 germinated - they asked about growing conditions, sent me a replacement pack of seeds and gave me detailed advice on how to germinate them successfully.
Poor germination rates and weak seedlings
I have found that the seeds are not as good as they used to be. Some have very few seeds (e.g. Cosmos Airosanguineus Black Magic - four seeds only!) and the rest have had poor germination rates and even if they germinated the resulting seedlings were weak and many died off. I've not had this happen before. e.g. Lathyrus Beaujolais, L. Prince Edward of York, L Dorothy Eckford, L. Watermelon (my own Lathyrus seed was much more successful), Lupinus Band of Nobles The Pages, Nicotiana Bronze Queen (the Alata Lime Green was OK), Chickpea Principe (half germinated), Cosmos Bipinnatus Purity. With so many seeds failing, I don't think it can be a coincidence and I'm afraid I won't be ordering from Chiltern Seeds again. Such a pity as I would prefer to buy from small independent businesses.

Reply from Chiltern Seeds
Agretti 80% germination
The variety of unusual seeds available, the fast response to my order, the excellent communication, the well produced catalogue but it has got to be the quality of the seeds that takes top spot. I bought Agretti a notoriously difficult seed to germinate. Warned by gardening friends that it was a thankless task and prepare to be disappointed. 80% germination! Yes 80%! They are happily growing robustly as if they were on the slopes of Mt Etna. We are harvesting them for soups, salads and sautees even in North West Lancashire they are so prolific. It has been my star seed this year. Over the moon.
No packaged date
Bought some blauschokker peas and so far not a one has germinated after 2w. However this could be just me but the packets I received don't have a date packaged or picked on them which is strange.

Reply from Chiltern Seeds
All seeds I bought germinated and now…
All seeds I bought germinated and now been planted in various places in garden baskets and pots and greenhouse. I bought lisianthus which I understand are hard to grow, they are doing really well and Russian sage which can also be slow but have done really well. Also lobelia, careselio cucumber and gardners delight tomatoes are doing brilliantly. I will from now buy all my seeds from chiltern very pleased with them
Fast delivery, good quality
Fast delivery, environment friendly packaging. Seeds look good quality. I’m extremely excited about the lottery mixture and what’s going to grow out of them.
Outstanding service and high quality…
Outstanding service and high quality seeds. In the event of a problem outside their control, they can be reached and will rectify the situation promptly.
The rest of the market can learn valuable lessons from Chiltern Seeds.
Thanks to everyone of the Team.
Absolutely fantastic service
Absolutely fantastic service, swift delivery, packaging ensured perfect product received. I had issues with germinating the seeds so asked for support and the customer service team were fabulous. They gave me great advice and provided me with replacement seeds to try again.
Excellent service from start to finish. Definitely recommend this company.
Simply the best
Chiltern Seeds have the best range of any seed supplier. I can happily while away hours browsing their website and informative catalogues! I recently had difficulty propagating just a couple of packets of quite tricky plants and commented. I had an immediate response back with offer to replace. Their customer service is exceptional.
Chiltern Seeds were really helpful when…
Chiltern Seeds were really helpful when I was planning the grow list of flowers for our daughter's wedding.
They're always genuinely keen to help sort any growing problems.
A family run business that has time to talk to customers, a rare and real gift in customer service!
Impeccable service through the years…
Impeccable service through the years along with quality seeds !
Quite simply the best.
I have been a customer of this company for too many years to remember and certainly should have said something before now! Every December I look longingly for my first present. Their catalogue. Actually more a mini encyclopaedia and I learn so much as you will if you become a customer. It is so readable and informative. I always wish I had a bigger garden. Every year I get what once was Mac’s mix. He was a cat and his mix ups were bagged and offered for sale. Goodness knows what you will end up with but that’s the fun. I cannot imagine being without the catalogue. I simply love it as you will. Please take my word and check it out. You will not be disappointed.
A personal touch
I have used Chiltern for a number of years as they offer interesting and unusual plants and spectacularly tempting catalogues and websites. More importantly they offer plenty of advice online and by email / phone. In addition, on the rare occasion that there is a problem, it is resolved quickly and with a personal touch that reminds me that this a family firm, not a money machine owned by private equity.
Great service and selection from Chiltern Seeds
I’ve used Chiltern Seeds for over ten years now as the selection they have is great. In the past one item went astray in the post and Chiltern Seeds replaced it which was greatly appreciated. In the last few weeks after the seeds germinated I lost the in an unexpected cold snap. Nina has been very helpful in replacing those seeds which I am now nursing following the very helpful instructions. I should add these instructions were on the seed packets originally, I just got caught out with the cold snap. Very much recommend Chiltern Seeds!!!
Great Customer Service
I recently had an issue where my order seemed to have been lost in the post. I contacted the company, and they were incredibly responsive and helpful. I was really impressed with their quick action and friendly communication and how the problem was dealt with.
I have used Chiltern seeds for 3 or 4…
I have used Chiltern seeds for 3 or 4 years. I love the catalogue and the beautiful photos, which can make it hard to choose, as everything looks lovely
This year, I decided to start my sweet peas early but I had a problem with quite a number not germinating. The customer service was excellent and they replaced all the seeds. Very impressed. Thank you
I found 'Chiltern Seeds' last year.
I found 'Chiltern Seeds' last year when I was after a Verbascum plant. This arrived in excellent condition and continued to thrive. Since then, I have purchased seeds from 'Chiltern' and they have always done well. I have just planted my second set of sweet pea seeds in pots, and will be planting some tomato seeds today. The orders arrive quickly, with full instructions for care.
A lovely company to deal with. Thank you!
Plant lovers heaven!
I love Chiltern seeds! Trustworthy, reliable, and so willing to help....and what a fantastic selection they have, there's always something different and fascinating that I must try! Looking at their website is like opening a treasure chest for a gardener, and what they write about the seeds is often most entertaining and humorous, and makes great reading. If you love plants you will love Chiltern seeds too.
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