Visited the store while in Madison. I love stopping by local plant stores while visiting other cities. Bruce Co has a very nice selection of plants, some I haven't even seen before in person! They are very well taken care of and the signs showing how to care for them is a nice touch. Plants are priced very fairly, I just wish they had smaller sizes of plants available because I would have loved to take home a Philo Micans and Rio also, but they were only available in larger pot sizes. I would have left with more plants had there been smaller, cheaper sizes in stock. Just one gal's opinion. Still left with three plants and I'm very glad I stopped in! read more

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They have been super with my landscape projects. Very helpful, responsive and concerned for the longevity of my plantings.

I liked the variety at The Bruce Company. I was looking for yard art, pretty planters, and small plants and this place had a big selection. It was still too early in the spring to buy trees and other larger plants, but overall this was a nice place to visit and I appreciated the wide selection of yard items. I will certainly return. read more

I bought a Veridian home, and The Bruce Company is the vendor they chose for landscaping. I think the reviews of this company speak for them plenty. When grading my lawn, the broke the fiber cable TDS ran to my house for fiber. I spoke with the gentlemen who was driving the bobcat that broke it, and he explained he does that all the time, and I just need to nag TDS to get it fixed. First, I work from home, so losing internet for 5 days has crippled me and will cost me sales, etc. Second, if you know this is an issue, I would expect The Bruce Company to take extra care in these areas (the lines were marked after all). So thank you, you have cost me a couple thousand dollars if I don't spend my weekend finding somewhere else to work most of the week because you couldn't be more cautious working around areas you know there are buried lines, despite this "happening all the time". Frankly, this experience makes me definitely sure I would never hire this company again, and I makes me question the care Veridian uses in choosing their vendors. read more

This is one of the worst customer service experiences I've ever experienced. Because I bought a Veridian home, I had no choice but to deal with them. My lawn and plants were installed before my purchase. Everything was fine until they did the grading for the houses next to mine. I understand how that could have affected my yard, which was coming in fine. What I don't understand is their inability to bring my lawn, where sections were removed as they went over property lines, back to what it was before. So both sides of my lawn had washouts, were never properly seeded or watered. When they came out with Veridian to review the situation, I was made to feel like it was all my fault. The one side that that wasn't properly watered? They didn't want to fix. If I had known how much was my property, I would have been watering it but I thought it was my neighbor's yard who hadn't moved in yet. The other side? That neighbor could fix it when her yard was repaired (for the second time) because it was her washout. No, this was my yard. When they finally came back, they didn't do the work they promised. I could not believe how exceptionally rude they were. I understand you had to tear up part of my yard or that it was unseasonably wet spring and early summer, just fix the damage. read more

We built a Veridian home in 2021 and the Bruce Landscaping Co. Did our landscaping. They were very upfront and candid with us about expectations for bush growth and lawn development. They replaced some dead bushes that did not do well during the warranty period. Manager James Wagner has been accessible, responsive and kind-hearted. He made us feel like a valued customer. read more

We bought a house, the builder used bruce & co to install the grass. They applied the grass just before a rain deluge, so much of it washed away. Then the sprinklers system they installed has repeatedly not worked. Their service person on the phone said none of that was their problem. Their reputation around here, I've heard repeatedly over 20 years is that they're great until they do the installation, then good luck getting any support if they screw up. read more

Sometimes bigger doesn't equal better unfortunately. It feels like they care more about big landscaping contracts rather than walk in customers who need help. Their bulk mulch and tree/shrub selection is super convenient but overall customer service is really poor. I've experienced unreturned voice messages and several unwelcoming in-person experiences with the customer service counter. read more

I was very disappointed with the return policy. I had bought a couple hundred dollars worth of landscape plants and 2 died. As a master gardener I understand there are many reasons why plants don't make it, but if you have your clerks tout the policy, that store credit is given if plants don't make it, READ THE FINE PRINT. The policy is written so they can weasel out of it. I will not return or recommend. read more

I entered the store looking for a specific plant, went to the plant help desk as directed by a cashier. Asked if they had the plant, response I got is, they usually come in later, but if you follow the green line outside they will be to your left if we have them. Not once did that person bother to look in the computer in front of her to see if they actually had them. Just went on about how they had 2 trucks delivering and things were a mess. What poor customer services, I wondered outside and went to the left as I told, without really knowing what I was looking for, there wasn't a single employee outside to help with any questions and I walked around for a while, looking at things I wasn't even their for just hoping I would get some help. This is the second not so great visit I have had there and I am done, I will not be going back. read more

I don't recommend buying anything at this seasonal Plant Company. I got a small rose plant for Mother's Day 2 weeks ago and it had some disease and killed it. I try to bring it back and the manager tries to convince Me that the plant is still alive! When in fact it was all dead leafed. No green.She then Asked if I had a receipt I said no but it's in the computer she verified it and again said she would not refund me or give me a store credit. read more

All the negative reviews hold strong truth to their words. Bruce company is not only extremely disrespectful and rude towards their customers but their employees as well. Poor customer service is sugar coating it to say the least and their organization skills lack severely. If a negative/zero star was possible to leave, you better believe I would rate it as such. The business claims to be family oriented, understanding and that no matter what the situation was/is they'd work with you. However, it's the biggest lie this company spews. While Wisconsin is an at will state, Bruce company takes that and runs with it an will fire an employee for no to little reason at all with zero warning to prepare for a backup job to make ends meet. Despite it had been illegal at the time to fire employees over being exposed/positive for covid, they had done it repeatedly to multiple people who were struggling an considered a part of the 'bruce company family'. Whatever you do, do NOT work for this company let alone give them your time of day as a customer/client. Garden department, knows nothing about their plants as well as how to properly maintain them. Always dying or about to die due to lack of care or disease infestation. Snow removal, that is just a pure joke onto the public regarding this company. They purposefully skip clients homes/apartments, on times they don't, the results after they leave is so poorly done that a child learning to walk could do a much better job. Lawn care, if you wish to have your yard completely demolished by all means hire them. Otherwise, I'd suggest taking your hard earned money and business elsewhere. I do NOT recommend Bruce company. Run, run as fast and as far away as you possibly can from this business. Short end is, Bruce company overcharges, are extremely rude, lacks proper communication/response skills, verbally abusive to their employees and severely lacks compassion to anyone. Beware whoever enters here, tread with caution. read more

I wanted an estimate for an Irrigation System and to have edging installed, they wanted to charge me $150.00 just to come out and give me an estimate! Stay away from this company as there are plenty of Companies out there that will come out to your home at no charge. Olson Toon is one of many that will... read more

Apparently I'm in good company with my consistently negative experiences at this business. The first time I went, I was annoyed by all staff who couldn't be bothered to answer a question about gardening (the customer was not important, the plants were). The second time, a staff member literally shouted at me while I was about to buy something expensive (and believe me, they are overpriced). The manager apologized, so thinkng I'd try again, I went to return a plant that died after a month as they told me they have a warrantee- the staff insulted my obvious lack of knowledge of plants, didn't accept the return and were so condescending. I will never go back. read more

I recommend you avoid the Bruce Company's landscape services at all costs. I experienced the most appalling lack of customer service from Mary in the billing department after having the Bruce Company out for pond repair service. Her attitude, insinuations, and complete lack of flexibility left me speechless and prompted this review. I scheduled the Bruce Company to come out to my house to look at a broken pipe in our pond. I stayed home that day and waited; they did not show up. I phoned back the next day and spoke with Haley who said the pond crew would be out the following day. I explained that I would not be home that day but that I would authorize up to $500 to be spent on the repair. Anything above that amount would need a phone call. Haley said that would be fine and we left it at that. A week or so later, a bill arrived in the mail for $710. I spoke with Mary in the billing department and explained what happened and that I hadn't authorized anything above $500. Mary said she'd talk to Haley and get back to me. On 8/14 Mary left me a voicemail saying that the appointment had been made for clean-up, start-up, and repair, and that Haley had no recollection of the $500 limit. I found the tone of the voicemail disconcerting as it indicated there was no room for discussion, that if Haley didn't recall the $500 limit, then the conversation didn't happen. I phoned Mary back to clarify the appointment had been for repair only. I have never hired Bruce Company for clean-up and start-up of our pond; my husband does the pond maintenance himself. Not to mention I wouldn't have scheduled those services without first knowing the price. I reiterated setting a $500 limit. I said my initial inclination would be to pay only the $500 authorized. I explained that because I wanted to maintain a good relationship with Bruce Company, that I may be willing to meet partway; meaning we'd split the difference in billing overage. Mary explained that if her boss authorized splitting the $210 overage (potentially bringing my share to $605), that Bruce Company would never come out to service our pond again. I was shocked! In my opinion, my offer to split the difference was generous, yet Mary showed absolutely no inclination to try to set things right. In light of the extremely poor service I received, and because clearly my attempt to settle this amicably would go nowhere, I decided to simply pay for the service I ordered which was repair of a broken pipe for a total of $237. The Bruce Company can write off the remaining $473 charge for "Aquatics Startup" which I did not schedule, nor did I authorize. In conclusion, if you're tempted to schedule landscape services with Bruce, it's imperative to get a quote in writing, even for something as mundane as a pond repair. Given the number of outstanding landscape companies in the Madison area, I would recommend hiring one that actually cares about delivering good customer service. read more

Exceedingly poor customer service. No greeters, no nice employees asking if you need help. Over priced on everything, if your looking for string of heart/turtles/pearls, look anywhere else, $10 for a 2" very sad pot is absolutely ridiculous. read more

A great disappointment visiting the Bruce company in Middleton today. After weeks of researching the Jensen product I was excited and ready to purchase a sectional set and chairs. However that excitement quickly diminished after spending 35 minutes on my own reviewing the product, checking prices and warranty while nine (9) employees "passed by", without a hello, and talked amongst themselves. I attempted to support a local business, but the Bruce Company will no longer be one of them. Very disappointing!! read more

The nice selection of plants doesn't make up for the abysmal customer service.

We wanted a patio set that would last us through our retirement age. Based on their recommendation, we purchased a Polywood set. We had it out on our patio for 2 months and it's ruined. Squirrels love to eat this material. We spent $4000 based on their expert recommendations and it's ruined and they won't let us return it. They have our money we have no product. We were scammed. They don't Stand by the products they are selling to customers. Buy at your own risk. We went to Bruce company thinking we would get good local customer service. No such luck and will never go back. read more

We hired the Bruce Company as one of our key partners for our major back yard project. We installed a pool, a pool house, and added significant outdoor living space. The transformation of our yard was beyond our expectation and we are completely satisfied with the work. The Bruce Company team led by Steven Swenson was attentive to every detail and very easy to work with. We'd highly recommend the Bruce Company as an organization to consider for your backyard project dreams. Jason read more

Best nursery in the Madison area with knowledgeable staff who care about their customers and plants. I've received some great advice and tips from nursery staff and plant desk employees. The Bruce Company also backs up the quality of their plants by offering a one-year guarantee on trees and shrubs. read more

It's spring, so I'm out shopping for lawn/garden items. I walked into The Bruce Co., and the staff lady at the front -- who was not busy with any customers -- did a double-take as I walked in. She watched me walk in, looked somewhere else, then looked back at me. Both times, she decided not to speak to me. I then wandered around the store for about 30 minutes, looking at bird feeders, flower pots and yard stakes. I counted eight -- including the lady at the front -- staff people who didn't greet or say anything to me. I found a bird feeder that I really liked, but I decided not to buy it since I thought I could find a similar bird feeder at another retailer that provides better customer service. So I left. And that was my first and last experience shopping at The Bruce Co. read more

We bought a dozen bushes (Yews, to be exact) here over two years ago. We were fairly picky about the size / shape we wanted and staff accommodated us by ordering more of the particular kind we liked. We then got to pick out the ones we wanted from the shipment that arrived (that was more than we needed). I was worried that they would suffer after two harsh winters but even the bushes that were the hardest hit bounced back in the spring & still look great! read more

The Bruce Company - Don't mind the bare spots on the back/side... (Those are due to the dogs running along the fence). The bushes look great!! - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Middleton, Wisconsin

Did not grade the lot well. The entire block/several acres of storm water flows through my backyard when I warned them of this beforehand. The undeveloped land needs a temporary rain flow wall like they have in some spots already to direct the water away from the new homes. It should not be the new home owners responsibility to re do the lawn when the developer and their contractor cut corners. read more

If you are going to use The Bruce Company's landscape services, be prepared to be severely disappointed. Be prepared to be promised specific dates of completion, only to have those dates come and go without the job being done or communication as to why it's not being done. Be prepared to contact your Rep multiple times, only to have your calls and messages unreturned. Be prepared to be given excuse after excuse for the delay but no actual information as to where your project is in their queue. Please...pick another company for your landscape needs. For your own sanity. read more

I was so impressed by how helpful the garden staff were. I needed water-tolerant shrubs and plants and two staff people walked me around and showed me different options. I was grateful for their assistance. read more

I wouldn't even give one star if Yelp didn't force me too. They gave us dead trees TWICE and they also filled our yard in twice without using seed. rocks and dirt only. Two years later and my yard is still an embarrassment. Save your Money, time, and frustration And don't use them. The fact they're still in business amazes me. Go ask anyone in Cathedral Point. There's a Facebook page about all the neglect including someones yard filled with actual GLASS. read more

This company favors big corporate contracts over home owners. Very poor customer service. We had them design our entire landscape, which was excellent. But yard maintenance, planting of annuals, and snow removal were poor. Had to constantly call to remind them. The year they "forgot" to install annuals and do spring cleanup, for which we had a contract, we cancelled the contract and moved on. Due to multiple years of consistently poor service, I would give them zero stars if I could. Some of our friends say that all landscape maintenance companies are bad and that the Bruce Co is the best of the worst. I am not willing to reward bad service with my money. read more

The male employee who was working at a counter as I entered was sour-faced and did not respond to customers' nods. I noticed that a large, but not huge or thriving poinsettia was $54.00 Two other employees giggled and gossiped about other employees. I'd come in to buy amaryllis kits, and found that section tucked away. I bought two. There had been no sign or indication that these bulbs were substandard. However, when I got them home and opened the boxes, one was stunted and almost rootless and the top seemed to have been cut. The other bulb had mold on it. The combination of the cold atmosphere at the store, and their unprofessional lack of pride in their product, lacking even basic fairness toward a customer, was very disillusioning. I will not be going back there, and I will share my experience with others. The one star, by the way, is for the one friendly, competent employee I saw who was doing her best to help customers. read more

They no longer have a flower shop. I went in looking for a BIG "vase" to hold a big bunch of flowers. After poking around for a couple minutes I asked an employee for such. He walked me over to another woman who repeated my request a couple times (a vase? a VASE?). Ok, wft woman, I have a bunch of flowers for my dad's memorial service, I've got 10 minutes to find something to put them in before I shove them up your a$$. Yes, I was a little stressed. She went in to this long thing about how they didn't have a flower shop any more and they might have a few in the back but they weren't priced to sell. I interrupted her and said, "So the answer is no?" I asked twice. She wouldn't give me an answer. I started walking out. There were a bunch of, forgive me, "Hurricane glasses" which would suit my needs just marvy. I picked one up and started looking around for something better. Bitch woman saw me and said, "Oh, well, we DO have CANDLEHOLDERS". Didn't offer to help me anymore. I made a point of picking up just about every single one I could find. Apparently, "vase" is a technical term reserved for something very special. Anyway, I bought something and ended up returning it the next day because the same thing at Cost Plus was $9 rather than $27. Poor service, high prices, crappy selection. Fail. read more

1) The customer service at this store is terrible. The employees are rude, particularly Scott who works in the plant section. 2) The plants this past summer were infested. I had to return two mandevillas because of aphids, and Bruce gave me a hard time about refunding me. Last straw: the $50 rubber plant I purchased in August came home with some time of mite infestation, I was able to treat the plant successfully, but recently noticed that the plant was ailing. Upon close inspection, I noticed it was full of aphids. Disgusting. I am fortunate that my other plants, which came from different nurseries, were not infected. Rubber plant went in garbage, and I will never waste another dollar at Bruce Company again. read more

The Bruce Company is very, very expensive. That being said, the quality of their plants is exceptional. The customer service is hit-or-miss. I went looking for a new gas grill today. They have a great selection, however no one wanted to help me. There were several employee wandering about. I tried for about 10 minutes to get someone to help me - no luck. I absolutely refuse to beg retailers to let me spend money at their establishments. I left and went to Ace Hardware on University Avenue. read more

The selection of items here is amazing, from plants to furniture to bird feeders to gift items, like Vera Bradley. Alas, customer service is poor. I walked around for 20 minutes and no one said a word to me, despite passing by 5 employees, only two of whom were legitimately occupied with customers (although the one was bustling about in the plant section pulling something together for a customer and passed me multiple times without even a "hi"). I immediately downgrade any business whose employees don't acknowledge customers. UPDATE: June 15, 2018. Stopped in with my son and looked at plants for 15 minutes, then took a lap around the store. NOT ONE EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGED US. So freaking weird. read more

High end greenhouse/ outdoor stuff. My first time here the place is huge. Actually too big I didn't see everything. I paid 49.00 for a perennial vine that isn't guaranteed if anything happens to it within a year. Some of the help didn't have a clue to questions but I did find one person very helpful. I would go back just to look around. read more

We just moved into our home and decided to use The Bruce Company for our landscaping as my parents and family friends have used them for years. They exceeded our expectations! They listened to what we had in mind and told use their design and vision. Steven has been wonderful to work with and has communicated with us every step of the way. Their prices are a little higher but that did not deter us as the quality of their work is worth the cost. We have had neighbors come up to us and even the landscapers to say they have never seen anything like it. I highly recommend them! read more

After spending last fall and this spring trying desperately to eradicate a mysterious green invasive plant in my yard, I recently ripped a chunk by the roots, go in my car and went to The Bruce Company. They have a plant help desk there (near the back of the main garden center) which is staffed by "know it all" experts! After a few moments of rolling this green nemesis through his fingers he told me it was wild oregano....what?! He said it's very invasive (which I knew), and walked me over to their magical potions aisle, handed me a bottle of Bonide brand chemicals and sent me home to spray on the newly identified horror. Within two days this green mess was a beautiful shade of wilted brown!!! Sure The Bruce Company isn't the cheapest greenhouse in town, but you get what you pay for.,,I'd spend at least $100 on other products trying to kill this weed that was taking over my grass...and had I got over to Bruce's earlier, this $18 bottle of chemical would have cured the mess! Outstanding service, expert staff, and they even offer a return policy! Go to Middleton and buy local!!!!! read more

I have been a long term customer at The Bruce Company. I always had a more than positive experience. However, the Customer Service I received this past Spring was inexcusable. I did receive a call from the General Manager after I complained, and I did except his apology. However, the experience was very negative and I will no longer shop there. read more

I usually go to Bruce Company for my indoor and outdoor plants, but thought I should check around to see if anyone is offering anything better....I went to Jung's. The place was a disaster! The plants uncared for and the area a complete mess and looking dangerous even. They were staffed by two teenagers gabbing at the register! I came straight back to Bruce where I found the indoor plants nicely organized, in good shape and a nice selection. I didn't need any help, but every time in the past I have had great service with the exception of one time when the person I've seen on TV in the mornings helped me, I forget her name, she was super crabby and very unpleasant. Maybe just having a bad day. Anyway, I give the Bruce Co. a thumbs up for having what I need in a clean, organized manner and a mostly pleasant, knowledgeable staff of adults. read more

Bruce Co installed our back patio this week. We shopped around to get quotes for identical specs (same pavers, dimensions, services, warranties) from other local companies-- bigger companies like Barnes and small companies. Bruce Co came up less expensive than the others, included landscaping (when we didn't ask for it in the quote), were easy to work with, and offered a cash back incentive. The workers came out early on the day they were supposed to arrive and worked the entire time. They did an awesome job, were very thorough in their clean up and yard mending (from where they brought in the materials), and were friendly and professional. I highly recommend working with them. read more

I would avoid this company at all costs, they do not respond to communication attempts from customers and lost business from me because of it. The biggest problem is still waiting on them to fix the work they did wrong! read more