Smith & Hawken has jumped the shark. In fact, Paul Hawken, the founder, was one of our inspirations for starting our own business, but since Paul Hawken sold it (it has now has been bought by Scott's) Smith & Hawken has been treading water.
Readers continue to be divided however. While many see it as having become less interesting and corporate, Smith & Hawken does still fill a real need for garden tools and supplies, and the staff is generally smart and enthusiastic.
Beginning as a shop that sold really high quality English garden tools, Smith & Hawken has grown to capitalize on the romance of the garden, and now sells tools, seeds, plants, clothing, furniture and garden accessories. For urban flowerboxers, Smith & Hawken has a few useful things.
Quality and prices are generally high and items used to be quite unique. Sale shopping is excellent however and S&H is a good resource for sustainably harvested TEAK. 
Smith & Hawken was purchased by Scotts (the grass people). Has the quality and/or service gone down since the acquisition?
I have no business EVER buying plants, because of my serial negligent botanicidal tendencies.
But I didn't act alone in the demise of that ivy topiary that I bought from Smith & Hawken back about 3 or 4 years ago. I was told (excellent question! no, I can't remember by whom) that that spider-webby thing that killed it had to have infected it while it was still in the clutches of Smith & Hawken.
So, now all the plants in my place are fake. I'm the only living thing that inhabits my apartment.
Smith & Hawken is to "real nurseries" as Williams Sonoma is to Whole Foods.
I think what's happened at S&H is that they have broadened their inventory to be as retail as they are garden.
The one in Westfield is still a seasonal destination, where we buy bulbs, vases, decorative stones, and once, a teak stepping stone which was turned into a kitchen tray with the addition of two jamie-pup-esque long stainless steel handles.
They also seem to be one of few purveyors who offer "modern" teak furniture, among the first to sell the amazing Saranac line.
They also have great zinc stuff... pots, large planters, etc.
I also find their staff ot be very passionate and knowledgeable.
I just received a collection of four X-Ray Photographic prints of flowers on canvas that I like from them a lot. Unfortunately they only sell three of them on their website and I really like all four of them as a set. They have a crackle texture on them which gives them an added dimension. I am not one to like pictures of flowers up, but these are very modern looking to me.
They weren't cheap. I believe it was 500 or so for the set of four, including shipping.
I did have some trouble with one of the prints arriving as damaged, but they sent me a replacement no problem.
I will send a picture of the AT team if they want to post it.
I've been looking at their patio furniture, and even at "discount" for end of the season, i find the prices to be extremely high...honestly, last time i was there, the only other couple looking for patio furniture were talking about "Just going to target and getting that hardwood table."
$500 for a FOLDING teak table? Come on...
http://www.smithandhawken.com/jhtml/site/catalog/Product.jhtml?PRODID=173&CATID=60&PARENTCATID=10
And that's not even including chairs. I think this is another example of "Name brand driving the cost."
They explain why their teak is "premium":
http://www.smithandhawken.com/html/features/cs_teak/cs_teak2.jhtml
May convince you, may not.
I purchased a container advertised by Smith & Hawken as "pure copper", but within three days it had left a rust stain on the counter where it sat. This Smith and Hawken copper is really special--magnets stick to it. I have been told a "customer satisfaction representative" will call me, but its been over a week and I am still waiting. I used to think of Smith & Hawken as the epitome of quality and durability. Now I think they are crooks.
I guess everyone knows by now that they sell a few Smith & Hawken items at Target.
yeah, and they have huge SMITH & HAWKEN logos all over their terra cotta/ceramic planters sold through target. which was the big turnoff for me. i mean, do i really need my jade plant to double as a billboard? i'm all about multi-use design, but jeez...
I was disapointed with how "billboard" their line at Target is as well.
They have excellent sales. I go to Smith and Hawken every year right after Christmas to pick up bulbs, vases and hostess gifts at 60-80% off.
I agree that much of their selection is less unique than it used to be.
barbara, thanks for the comment, i had been thinking about the s&h copper containers since i love copper, but it seemed pricey, and something about the site just seems.... cheesy...
The whole concept, assortment, marketing needs a vast revamp. The whole place is stale....stuck in a rut.
Interesting timing on this post...I just read a news release stating that all of the stores will be expanded to 10,000 sq. ft. over the next 5 years, with a new design firm out of SF.
I will be interested to see what they fill the space with....let's hope it's not lawn sprinklers and grass seed.
BTW...they have never been terribly profitable either.