Dahlia Tuber Sale Information, Terms & Conditions
Below is all of the information regarding our dahlia tuber sale. Please review this information prior to the sale. By purchasing dahlia tubers from us, you agree to the following terms and conditions.
Sale Date & Time
First sale is April 7, 2025 at 11:00am CT. Subsequent restocks are likely as we review inventory
Ordering & Returns
Our Dahlia Tuber Sale is online only.
If you have an item in your cart, it is not reserved until you complete your order, successfully check out, and receive a confirmation order number and email.
Once an order is placed, we are unable to add or remove items or combine shipping. If you would like to add any additional items, you'll need to submit an additional order, which will ship separately. All sales are final and only qualify for a return if there is an issue with the item received, based on guarantees as outlined below (and are at the sole discretion of The Unicorn Garden).
Payments
Payment can be made through either PayPal or a major credit card.
Sales Tax
All Michigan state residents will be charged sales tax.
Shipping
We will start shipping all orders as they are received starting April 7, weather permitting. Most orders will ship within a day or so. We can only ship to the United States (sorry, no international orders at this time). If you have concerns with this shipment timeframe, please (respectfully) do not order, as we are not staffed to accommodate special requests at this time. Everything is shipped via USPS Priority Mail. Once your order ships, you'll receive a confirmation email with tracking information.
Shipping rates are:
12 tubers = $20.00
Due to ecommerce system limitations, we do not offer combined shipping. It's a logistical nightmare and we've learned it opens us up for errors, because it's completely manual on the backend. While it's not a perfect solution, this is the reason we do a flat rate across the board. We'll continue to evaluate and adjust based on feedback, as well as system improvements.
Local friends: Due to logistics, but also personal time constraints, we do not offer farm pickups at this time. (Even mail carriers have a really difficult time finding our farm). Apologies for any inconvenience, but we will send out a newsletter if this changes.
Our Promise & Policies
Above all else, we want you to be happy with your order! Plant and tuber health is a top priority on our farm. We believe in working with nature and not against nature. Although we are not certified organic, everything is grown organically with plant and pollinator health in mind. We also introduce beneficial insects for pest and disease management.
We are ruthless during dividing, and save only our best tubers for the sale. That said, some varieties do store better than others, and some may be shipped with minor imperfections that will not impact viability or vigor (our field is a testament to this as this is mostly what we grow). It's also possible that there is a storage failure between the sale and shipping. If there is storage loss, we will refund it from your order.
We follow the American Dahlia Society's "Gold Standard" for dividing by using sanitized tools between divides. Everything is triple labeled and those labels are carried throughout the entire process, from planting to storing to dividing to shipping.
We guarantee that your tubers will arrive to you with at least one viable eye. Upon receipt of your order, please inspect your tubers immediately. If you have any concerns, please email us at unicorngardenflowers@gmail.com within 5 days of receiving your order. The email should include your order number and a photo. At the sole discretion of The Unicorn Garden, we may either replace or refund your order. Please note that the Shipping Cost for your order is non-refundable. Please do not send messages on social media as these are easily missed due to volume and weird filtering (and we want you to know that as a customer of The Unicorn Garden you are much more important to us than Instagram!).
After 5 days from shipment, the buyer assumes all responsibility. While your satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us, we cannot be held responsible for improper storage once you receive your tubers, growing conditions, neglect, pest damage, rot after planting, and so forth. Similarly, if you decide to pot up your tubers for cuttings or otherwise, we cannot be held responsible for rot, desiccation, mold, plant failure, and so forth (these are advanced growing techniques and a lot can go awry, even for experienced growers and perfectly-viable tubers—choosing to do so is at your own risk).
Although we do our best to provide you with the healthiest true varieties, mistakes can happen. If for some reason, the tubers you order are not what you expected, please email us at unicorngardenflowers@gmail.com by the third week of September. The email should include your order number and a photo. At the sole discretion of The Unicorn Garden, we may replace or refund your order (please do not send messages on social media). Please note that the Shipping Cost for your order is non-refundable.
We follow ADS recommendations of culling the field of any suspicious plants during the growing season, sanitize between tools, and use several organic biological methods to keep pests controlled. We do everything within our power to ensure healthy stock. That said, by purchasing tubers from us, you accept the fact that dahlias sometimes get disease, and that these are not 100% avoidable and/or detectable (as plants can be asymptomatic). In fact, according to the American Dahlia Society's ongoing virus research, an average of 87% of healthy, asymptomatic dahlia plants carry at least one dormant virus. Interestingly, one ADS study found that 38% of clean stock planted from previously negatively-tested plants in 2016 tested positive in 2017
Tuber Expectations
Tubers come in ALL shapes and sizes. Some are cute, while others are downright ugly. Some are fat with hardly no neck, while others are wrinkly and have long, skinny necks. Some are hairy, while others have lenticels. Some are massively large, while others are tiny. What matters is that they are viable. They need enough body to supply enough energy for growth (standard acceptable size is AAA battery), an intact neck, and a viable eye.
We guarantee all will be the size of AAA battery or larger, have an intact neck, and a viable eye. If there are any issues with these upon inspection, please email us a picture within 5 days of receiving your order and we are happy to help.
While we keep the ugliest ducklings, that doesn't mean the ones we share are perfect. If this bothers you, please (respectfully) do not place an order. Sometimes, eyes are dormant and very hard to see. Please note that sometimes, they will be wrinkly, but within reason. Some varieties simply store this way, whether for that season or all the time. We try to give two in this case, but not always. While we keep the skinniest necks for ourselves, some *only* have skinny necks, so they may have skinny necks. Please know that we would not send you something that we would not plant ourselves.
All that being said, we are not immune from mistakes! If there is any issue with your order, please let us know. We are always happy to help.
Limit of Liability
As noted above, there is always risk when buying plants. By purchasing tubers from The Unicorn Garden, you are agreeing that the maximum amount of damages entitled to in any claim are not to exceed the total cost of the tubers purchased. Refunds or replacements are at the sole discretion of The Unicorn Garden. The Unicorn Garden is not responsible for any compensation beyond a refund for the amount of tubers purchased by the buyer.
Dahlia Care Tips
If you are unable to plant right away, be sure to have a plan for storing your tubers. Storage can be tricky business and entirely dependent on your unique climate and location. Here at the farm, we store our dahlia tubers in vermiculite & pine shavings in our basement/storage area (a cool, dark place between 45–55 degrees F works well) and around 70% humidity. Be sure to check often for rot and/or desiccation as dahlia tubers are sensitive to moisture and are prone to rot in wet conditions.
Plant dahlia tubers in the spring, after all danger of frost has passed. If there is excessive rain in the forecast, wait until this passes, as dahlia tubers are prone to rot in super wet conditions.
Choose a location with well-draining soil (pH 6.5–7.0) and full sun (at least 6–8 hours). If you haven’t already, prepare soil with amendments/compost based on soil needs.
Dahlia plants can get quite large and may require staking. We use T-Posts and twine.
Finally
That was a lot, but we want to make sure we cover all the bases. Hopefully we can all get back to growing flowers now.
At the end of the day, we're just flower farmers, who love growing things! As a dahlia enthusiast, I enjoy the dahlia madness each spring, but I want you to have the best experience possible, and I hope you know we're doing our best to provide that experience.
From one dahlia lover to the next, CHEERS!
~Missy & The Dahlias
About our Bouquet Subscriptions
Please read the Subscription Agreement Below Prior to ordering.
2025 Bouquet Subscription Agreement
We are delighted that you have decided to join us for the 2025 season at The Unicorn Garden. We will provide you with the fresh locally grown cut flower bouquets, a portion of our harvest, much like a traditional CSA. This agreement outlines our shared commitments. Please read this agreement carefully. Your purchase of a Bouquet Subscription ensures that you have read and understand what being a flower subscription is all about.
A. Becoming a Subscriber
Each Subscription is a relationship between The Unicorn Garden and you the consumer. Rather than simply purchasing flowers like in a florist shop or market, our customers become “Subscribers” who receive a weekly portion of the seasonal flower harvest in the form of a beautifully designed vase-ready bouquet.
Our 2025 season runs from May through October, but can be purchased in smaller options including a Summer Share (June-August) and an Autumn Share (September-October). Weekly, Bi-Weekly and Monthly shares are available for the summer.
Subscribers are committed to picking up their bouquet from the distribution site chosen on checkout. Every bouquet will feature the best seasonal blooms picked fresh and carefully conditioned to last on average 5-7 days but sometimes longer. Bouquets will be wrapped in paper, delivered to the pick-up location in buckets of water, and floral solution and care instructions will be provided at the site.
Variety, size, and quantity of stems may vary as described below in Section 2. Detailed information regarding pick-up is discussed below in Section 2.
B. Our Growing Practices
The Unicorn Garden is committed to growing flowers using sustainable, and regenerative growing methods. This means more than just staying away from harmful pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. We are committed to growing practices that increase soil, air and water quality, and economic biodiversity including limiting soil tillage, permanent plantings of native species, and the use of integrated pest management.
We are also committed to using human scaled technology as much as possible, cultivating and planting by hand or with small machines to eliminate soil compaction and the excessive use of fossil fuels.
We are not certified by any organic agency, in part because of the high costs to small farmers for certification, but also because certification requires years of detailed record keeping and we are only in the starting years. If you would like more information about how the flowers are grown, please ask and we’ll be happy to provide detailed answers to any questions you may have.
C. The Flowers We Expect for 2025
The Unicorn Garden is growing several varieties of flowers for the 2025 season, many in succession plantings in order to provide a consistent variety of flowers in many different colors throughout the growing season. Here is a list of some of our favorite varieties that will be in your bouquets. Availability will of course depend on weather, particularly planting conditions in early spring.
Ranunculus, Stock, Poppies, Peonies, Snapdragons, Cosmos, Calendula, Bachelor Buttons, Larkspur, Corncockle, Basketflower, Foxglove, Phlox, Salvia, Zinnias, Yarrow, Veronica, Rudebeckia, Asclepias, Crespedia, Celosia, Sunflowers, Lisianthus, Feverfew, Blue Thistle, Gomphrena, Dahlias, Amaranthus, Marigolds, Ornamental Grasses, Viburnum, Delphinium, Ageratum Strawflowers, Ageratum, Nigella, and SO many more!
Section 2. Our Shared Commitments
A. Sharing in the Risk of Crop Failure
We promise to do our best to provide you with a lush and full bouquet of approximately 15-25 stems. However, the quantity of stems in your flower bouquet may vary from week to week due to extreme weather, insects, or other production factors despite our best efforts. By purchasing this subscription, you are agreeing to share the risk of crop failure with us and with the other Subscribers.
One of the reasons for growing so many different varieties of flowers is to ensure that even if one type of flower does not produce well, another variety will be ready to shine in the bouquets. Succession plantings will also help to ensure consistent supply. We will compensate for any failed flower crop by filling your bouquets with other flowers grown on the farm that are ready for harvest.
In the event of a large weather disaster such as extreme drought, flooding, unexpected frosts, we will do our best to procure flowers from other local flower farmers who use similar growing methods. This may not always be a feasible option since flower growers in the area are limited.
Should the unfortunate occurrence of total crop failure happen, the Subscriber shares in the risk that the share may be smaller or later than expected.
B. Sharing in the Reward of Crop Surplus
In the event of a flower surplus, additional stems will be tucked into the bouquets that you receive and extra bulk flowers may be made available to Subscribers on a first come, first serve basis. Any flowers not claimed at the drop location will be donated.
Section 3. Picking Up Your Bouquet
You are responsible for picking up your bouquet each week, every other week, or monthly from your selected pick-up site. You must select a pick up location & time at check out. If you choose delivery - you will be emailed with more info and confirmation after checkout.
Additional Pick-up locations may be added later in the season.
Pick Up Guidelines:
You are responsible for observing our bouquet pick up rules, which are as follows:
1. Bring your own container or vase for transporting flowers if you would like them to remain in water at all times. The bouquets will be wrapped in brown paper and awaiting pickup in buckets of water. Vases are not provided, although care instructions and floral solution will be provided at the drop off site.
2. Pick up your bouquets within the time frame assigned. Although we deliver fresh high-quality flowers to the site and will ensure that temperature conditions are maintained during the pick up time, we can not guarantee the quality of the bouquet if it is not picked up within that time frame.
3. Please be respectful of our hosts’ property and our staff members at the site location.
4. Follow additional rules posted at pick up location regarding parking, use of certain entrances, etc.
5. If you cannot pick-up your bouquet, you must arrange for someone else to pick it up for you and notify us that you are sending someone in your place. You are responsible for explaining the pick-up location and procedures to your substitute.
We do our best to make sure that pick-up locations and times are convenient but understand that sometimes schedules change mid season. Because of this we will make available a list of all of our pick up locations and times. If you wish to change your drop site location and time, you must notify us at least one full week in advance of your next pickup.
Any bouquets that are not retrieved within the pick-up time will be donated.
6. Certain flowers, although delightful to the eye, may be harmful to you or to household pets if ingested. We will do our best to notify you of any poisonous flowers used in bouquets, so that you can avoid them if concerned about safety. You are responsible to keep bouquets out of the reach of children and pets and accept the liability of having these flowers in your home.
IMPORTANT: We understand that sometimes people’s plans change, however once a payment is submitted and Subscription is underway, The Unicorn Garden is not liable to refund more than 50% of any Subscription fee. After the fourth week of the season (by July 15), all payments are completely non-refundable. However, your subscription can be gifted to another person as long as we are informed of the change.
Section 5. Communicating with Us
The best way to communicate with us is via text, email, or by phone. Our email is unicorngardenflowers@gmail.com or you can text or call us at (810)-922-0196. We will do our best to respond as soon as possible, but please understand that we spend most of our time in the field planting, picking, and weeding and not in the office.
Please contact us with any news of the following: changes to your postal, email address or phone number, changes to your pick-up location (at least a week in advance), problems with your pick-up location, or dissatisfaction with your bouquet.
We will communicate with you by email. When you sign up, you will be added to our email list. Please read your emails from us. We depend on being able to communicate important information such as necessary changes to your distribution schedule or to our farm events. Every Month we will send a newsletter giving you information about the flowers available in your bouquets for the month, farm updates, upcoming workshops and events, plant giveaways and more.
Section 6. Agreement
I understand that, although unlikely, The Unicorn Garden may change parts of this agreement related to production and distribution from time to time. I understand that they will contact me via email 2 weeks in advance of any changes to this agreement.
I understand that by purchasing a bouquet subscription online, I am accepting the details of the Subscription relationship with The Unicorn Garden as outlined in this document.