My recent purchases were a bit hit and miss. Some died. Meanwhile my neighbour got a very large and healthy astilbe from b and q for £9! Mine in the garden (not from SG) are half the size!
I don't know. I've bought loads of plants via mail order but they are always so small. Most of my begonias aren't even flowering. Then I go to Homebase etc and see much bigger plants - like the stunning begonias I bought for next to nothing. So I think it's garden centres from now on. And for cheap/free plants seeds and cuttings.
Otherwise you lose a year until the plants grow, or half the flowering season. Plus with mail order you often have to buy trays of 24. I currently have 20 erigeron because I wanted 3. All too small.
Or just buy larger plants from specialist nurseries, much better variety than what chain stores will ever offer. Or a proper independent garden centre that majors on plants and not knicknacks but nothing wrong with being patient and nurturing plants from a small 9cm pot to a full size shrub, one of the nicest things about gardening is that long term goal.
I ordered quite a few plants more than 2 weeks ago and still waiting for them to arrive.
Has anyone recently received their order? What were the plants like? I’m worried I’ll receive scrawny plants that won’t last the winter
I placed three orders with them recently. First two both arrived at around 10 days after ordering. Still waiting for the 3rd as it's not 10 days yet. Plants were packaged quite professionally and in good condition. I ordered 9cm pot plants and they were not too small in my view.
I used this secret garden site a lot about 4 years ago and their plants were excellent. Used it once this year and the quality of the plants they sent was very poor. About 2 thirds died. Will not use them again - a shame as they were so good when they started up ☹️
If you want quick flowering begonias, buying in May some big pots covered in flowers is the way to go. If you buy small plants they won't flower till August.
I've used them several times over the past few years, but stopped recently as prices seem to have gone up. Just bought 12 gauras in the sale though at £1.99 each, as have not grown them before. Thinking I'll overwinter them and plant out in the spring. Fingers crossed they arrive safe and sound!
@spamsl - I've used them several times, though not recently, but when I had a couple of plants which turned out to be different from my order, they were very good at refunding. I know that's not always what you want, but their customer care was certainly good when I contacted them. I expect they've had difficulties over the last year or so, like many places, so it's one of those occasions when you take the chance if you feel it's worth it. They often have some good varieties of plants so it can be a good option. If you aren't worried about particular varieties, it's probably still as good as, or maybe better than, many of these online retail outlets, as opposed to a recognised nursery or specialist grower.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They seem to have changed the share a code scheme. I can't work out how to share here now, you have to choose FB, Twitter or similar, only 15% and valid 30 days
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I know that's not always what you want, but their customer care was certainly good when I contacted them.
I expect they've had difficulties over the last year or so, like many places, so it's one of those occasions when you take the chance if you feel it's worth it. They often have some good varieties of plants so it can be a good option.
If you aren't worried about particular varieties, it's probably still as good as, or maybe better than, many of these online retail outlets, as opposed to a recognised nursery or specialist grower.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...