Question 1

Why do you charge what you do for shipping?

Accepted Answer

We base our shipping rates on the actual USPS Priority Mail box costs, plus a small flat fee to cover the real work behind preparing live plants.
That includes:
Careful digging and handling
Packing materials and moisture protection
Required inspections and compliance
Shipping insurance
Farm operations and fulfillment costs
We do not inflate shipping — our goal is to keep it fair, transparent, and sustainable so we can continue offering high-quality plants.

Question 2

When will I receive my irises?

Accepted Answer

All iris orders are pre-orders and ship during our seasonal window:
👉 July through October
Orders are shipped weekly based on:
Crop readiness
Weather conditions
This ensures your plants arrive healthy and ready to thrive.

Question 3

When will I receive my non-plant items?

Accepted Answer

Non-plant items (jewelry, books, décor, etc.) are shipped with your plant order by default to help keep overall shipping costs as low as possible.
These items will ship during our plant shipping season (July–October)
Orders are fulfilled based on overall order readiness and timing
⏱️ Need items sooner?
If you would like your non-plant items shipped earlier:
👉 You may select a “Ship Now” option when you select your item (additional shipping charges apply)
Orders placed during the week typically ship within the same week
Weekend or holiday orders ship the next business week
💡 Please note
Orders without the “Ship Now” selection will be held and shipped together
This approach helps reduce shipping costs and packaging waste

Question 4

Do you combine shipping if I place multiple orders?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we will do our best to combine orders whenever possible.
If multiple orders can be packed and shipped together:
We will combine them during fulfillment
Any excess shipping charges will be refunded at the time of shipping
👉 If you plan to place multiple orders, feel free to note it at checkout.

Question 5

Are you licensed and inspected?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Amethyst Creek Farm is a licensed and inspected nursery in the State of Idaho and complies with all applicable agricultural regulations for shipping live plant material.

Question 6

How are my irises prepared for shipping?

Accepted Answer

All irises are shipped bare root and are:
Dug fresh for your order
Cleaned and inspected
Roots trimmed for health and handling
Fans (leaves) trimmed for safe transport and easier replanting
This is standard horticultural practice and helps ensure strong performance after planting.

Question 7

Are plants stored before shipping?

Accepted Answer

No — all orders are dug to ship.
We do not store plants for extended periods. This ensures:
Maximum freshness
Better viability
Healthier plants on arrival

Question 8

What if you run out of my iris or something happens after I purchase them?

Accepted Answer

If an item becomes unavailable, you will receive the option selected at checkout:
A comparable substitution, or
A refund
We do our best to keep inventory accurate, but farming always has a few surprises.

Question 9

Do you offer bonus irises?

Accepted Answer

Yes!
For every $100 spent, we include bonus irises with your order.
👉 No limits — larger orders receive more bonuses.
We are unable to share what your bonuses will be this season.  Bonuses will be at our discretion and will be based on what is available in the field. We know bonuses are fun and we want to ensure you have quality irises.  We will not send babies that will take years to grow  - unless for some reason we just throw those in because we are clearance an item out. They will not be counted as your bonus. If you receive a bonus you don't want, please share it with someone.  We will not trade out or change bonuses.

In some cases, if product permits, we may include special gifts as a thank you.  This is not guaranteed and is a gift.

Question 10

Your prices seem high... why?

Accepted Answer

We understand that question — and we’ve been on the buying side too.
Our pricing reflects the true cost of growing, maintaining, and shipping high-quality iris cultivars, not mass-produced or bulk-grown plants.
At Amethyst Creek Farm:
Our irises are field-grown and carefully maintained, not warehouse stock
We cultivate and manage a collection of 3,600+ named cultivars
Each order is dug fresh, cleaned, trimmed, and inspected before shipping
We follow licensed nursery and agricultural compliance standards
Orders are packed with care to ensure plants arrive healthy and ready to thrive
We also include bonus irises with every $100 spent, which adds meaningful value to each order.
👉 Our goal isn’t to be the cheapest — it’s to provide quality, accuracy, and a great growing experience when your plants arrive.
Many of our customers find that the health, size, and performance of our plants more than justify the price.

Question 11

What if my iris doesn’t bloom true to color or name?

Accepted Answer

We take great care to ensure all irises are true to name when they leave our farm. However, irises are living plants, and there are a few things to keep in mind:
Many irises do not bloom the first year after transplanting
Bloom color and form can vary slightly based on weather, soil, and growing conditions
It can take one full growing season (sometimes two) for a plant to fully establish and display its true characteristics
If, after giving the plant adequate time to establish and bloom, you believe it is incorrectly labeled, please reach out to us.
👉 We’re happy to review photos and work with you on a fair resolution, which may include a replacement or credit when appropriate.

Question 12

I planted my iris and it has rotted or died — what happened?

Accepted Answer

We’re so sorry — we know that’s frustrating.
In most cases, iris loss after planting is related to planting conditions rather than plant quality. Iris rhizomes are very hardy, but they are also sensitive to excess moisture and planting depth.
The most common causes are:
Planted too deep — rhizomes should sit at or just above soil level
Overwatering — irises prefer well-drained soil and do not like to stay wet
Poor drainage — heavy or compacted soil can lead to rot
Recent transplant stress — especially during hot weather
🌿 A few quick tips for success:
Plant with the top of the rhizome exposed to sunlight
Water lightly after planting, then allow soil to dry between watering
Ensure the area has good drainage and full sun
💬 Our policy
All plants are shipped healthy and viable at the time of shipment, but once planted, growing conditions are outside of our control.
Because of this, we’re unable to guarantee survival after planting.
👉 That said — we genuinely want you to succeed.
If you’re unsure what went wrong, feel free to reach out with photos. We’re happy to help troubleshoot and offer guidance so your next planting is a success 🌸

Question 13

How do you clean and prepare my irises before shipping? Do you use chemicals?

Accepted Answer

All of our irises are dug fresh to order and carefully prepared to ensure they arrive clean, healthy, and ready to plant.
Each rhizome goes through a multi-step process:
Dug from the field at the time of fulfillment
Soil removed and cleaned
Roots trimmed for easier handling and planting
Fans (leaves) trimmed to reduce stress during transit
To help protect plant health during shipping, we also treat all irises prior to packing.
👉 We are not an organic operation, and we do use treatments as part of our preparation process.
Each order receives a cleaning and treatment process that may include:
A diluted bleach and water solution for sanitation
A mild liquid soap wash
A treatment using natural oils such as neem, orange, and peppermint
These steps help reduce the risk of:
Pests
Disease
Contamination during shipping
💬 Our goal
Our priority is to send plants that arrive clean, healthy, and ready to establish quickly in your garden.
If you have specific sensitivities or questions about plant preparation, please feel free to reach out prior to ordering — we’re happy to help 🌸

Question 14

What if I have a problem with my non-plant items?

Accepted Answer

We want you to be happy with every part of your order.
If you experience an issue with a non-plant item (such as jewelry, books, or home décor), please reach out to us within 7 days of delivery.
We’re happy to help with:
Items that arrive damaged or defective
Incorrect items sent
👉 Depending on the situation, we may offer a replacement, store credit, or refund.
⚠️ A few notes:
Items must be unused and in original condition
We may request photos to help assess the issue
Shipping costs are non-refundable unless the error is ours
Our goal is to make it right whenever possible while keeping the process simple and fair for everyone 💜

Question 15

Can I return my plants?

Accepted Answer

Due to the nature of live plant material, we do not accept returns on plants.
Once plants leave our farm, we cannot guarantee how they have been handled, stored, or exposed to environmental conditions. For this reason, returned plants cannot be resold or safely reintroduced into inventory.
💬 What if there’s an issue?
If you receive plants that are damaged or not as expected upon arrival, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery.
We’re happy to review photos and work with you toward a fair resolution, which may include a replacement or store credit when appropriate.
🌿 Our commitment
All plants are:
Dug fresh for your order
Carefully cleaned, inspected, and prepared
Shipped to arrive in healthy, viable condition
Our goal is always to provide high-quality plants and a positive experience — and we’re here to help if something doesn’t seem right 🌸

Question 16

Can I visit your farm?

Accepted Answer

At this time, Amethyst Creek Farm is not open to the public and we do not offer on-site visits.
As a working farm, our focus is on maintaining the health of our plants and managing seasonal operations, which doesn’t allow for public access.
💬 Stay connected
We love sharing what’s happening on the farm and regularly post updates, photos, and availability online.
👉 The best way to experience the farm is through:
Our website
Email updates
Social media
We truly appreciate your interest and support — it means a lot to us 🌸

Question 17

Will my iris bloom this year?

Accepted Answer

Not always.
Many irises will not bloom the first year after transplanting as they focus on establishing roots. Most will bloom the following season once established. They will not bloom the same year (nearly ever).  Bloom season in most parts of the world is spring.

Question 18

Why doesn’t my iris look like the photo yet?

Accepted Answer

Iris blooms can vary based on:
Weather
Soil conditions
Sun exposure
It may take one full growing season (sometimes two) for your plant to display its true color and form. If your iris is VERY different - please reach out and we can help you validate if it's what you were expecting.

Question 19

The rhizomes are all different sizes?

Accepted Answer

We ship healthy, established rhizomes, typically with at least one strong fan (several blades) (often depending on the variety and availability).

Sizes can vary — we prioritize plant health and viability over uniform sizing.

Depending on iris class, how old the cultivar is (historic varieties are often smaller), and the actual cultivar itself, will have smaller or larger rhizomes in general depending on what it is.  Size doesn't usually  matter.

Question 20

What Payment Types do you accept?

Accepted Answer

💳 Payment Options
We accept:
Major credit and debit cards
PayPal
Affirm and Klarna (subject to approval)
Financing options allow you to split your purchase into smaller payments, making it easier to build your collection over time.

We don't charge additional fees for using credit cards or PayPal.  Any additional interest fees incurred by Affirm or Klarna are between the buyer and those entities - we do not receive any of that funding.

We do not accept cash, check, Zelle, or Venmo.

Question 21

Can I cancel my order or part of my order?

Accepted Answer

Order Cancellations
Due to the seasonal and limited nature of live plant inventory, orders are considered final when placed.  If circumstances require cancellation prior to shipment, Amethyst Creek Farm may, at its sole discretion, issue a store credit equal to the amount paid, less any non-recoverable processing fees. Store credits do not expire and may be applied toward future purchases. Once an order has entered processing or shipping preparation, cancellations are not available.

Why don't we offer refunds?
Amethyst Creek Farm is a small family farm. When an order is placed, inventory is reserved specifically for that customer and may no longer be available to others. Unlike large retailers, we are unable to absorb frequent order cancellations and refunds. To remain fair to all customers while protecting the farm's limited inventory, approved cancellations are issued as store credit rather than monetary refunds.

Frequently asked questions