I buy from lots of different suppliers, as Verdun said the less common varieties are often sold at specialist sites. I also use Ashwoods for Hellebores and I use Taylors for Clematis. I don't mind paying a bit more if I know I'm going to get good plants that are well packaged. That has been the case with Crocus recently. In addition I always take postage into account and they have a really good rate. It's pretty much down to experience really.
Verdun , thanks, I agree that online offers way more choice than even the best GC. It's just that I haven't used mail order for perennials much in recent years. I am lucky that my local GC is a good independent,and like you I find it good for the usual range of perennials. I also buy from shows, but with discretion. You can get less usual things and often, though not always, cheaper. But my favourite has to be plant fairs: smaller nurseries attend but they all know their stuff so you can ask about the plants, and their overheads are less, so they are generally cheaper for better plants. Plus you can get really unusual things. They are a good day out, especially as they are often in interesting places.
Just ordered a 3 year old Brown Turkey Fig from Primrose [ that is the name of the company ] for £10.99, free postage. Now that is good value. Browsing through their products I was surprised at how good a value they are. Wish I had found them sooner.
I also really like Plantsforshade.co.uk. Ecofriendly and lots of good ideas for plants for shade and even a few for sun. Prices reasonable with fixed shipping rate per order.
Are you sure you want to pay P&P? What area are you in? Plants for shade (Long Acre) have very good value plants, but I always buy from them at shows they attend, such as the AGS Harlow show on February 28. Many of the specialist nurseries sell at shows often well away from their base, and will bring orders with them, so check that first. Only one problem is you will probably buy much more than you would by post when you get there.
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I buy from lots of different suppliers, as Verdun said the less common varieties are often sold at specialist sites. I also use Ashwoods for Hellebores and I use Taylors for Clematis. I don't mind paying a bit more if I know I'm going to get good plants that are well packaged. That has been the case with Crocus recently. In addition I always take postage into account and they have a really good rate. It's pretty much down to experience really.
Verdun , thanks, I agree that online offers way more choice than even the best GC. It's just that I haven't used mail order for perennials much in recent years. I am lucky that my local GC is a good independent,and like you I find it good for the usual range of perennials. I also buy from shows, but with discretion. You can get less usual things and often, though not always, cheaper. But my favourite has to be plant fairs: smaller nurseries attend but they all know their stuff so you can ask about the plants, and their overheads are less, so they are generally cheaper for better plants. Plus you can get really unusual things. They are a good day out, especially as they are often in interesting places.
Just ordered a 3 year old Brown Turkey Fig from Primrose [ that is the name of the company ] for £10.99, free postage. Now that is good value. Browsing through their products I was surprised at how good a value they are. Wish I had found them sooner.
I also really like Plantsforshade.co.uk. Ecofriendly and lots of good ideas for plants for shade and even a few for sun. Prices reasonable with fixed shipping rate per order.
I use Plantsforshade Watery, they have provided good plants and good ideas for the shady side of my garden.
Are you sure you want to pay P&P? What area are you in? Plants for shade (Long Acre) have very good value plants, but I always buy from them at shows they attend, such as the AGS Harlow show on February 28. Many of the specialist nurseries sell at shows often well away from their base, and will bring orders with them, so check that first. Only one problem is you will probably buy much more than you would by post when you get there.