The 30cms. top growth on Morrisons cheap clematis is irrelevant, this would be used as cutting material on a traditional nursery, the root system would be potted on into a 2 litre deep pot for another 12 months or so and the new top growth chopped back regularly, then the clematis would be a saleable size, and plantable.
i had 4 nice pink hyacinth bulbs well budded in a tray today from Sainsburys for £2 which should be in flower soon.
I think there are bargains to be had you just need to shop around however I agree for better quality plants, greater variety and good advice you cannot be a nursery.
I am happy to buy my filler plants from the supermarkets and find that a little money can go a long way.
I reckon you can do OK with some supermarket plants if you buy them soon after they arrive at the store, and know that what you're getting is appropriate for your needs and "in season" (eg not summer bedding in February). But nursery or garden centre plants will undoubtedly be looked after better, and are often better value when you take maturity etc into consideration. And I'd prefer a local grown plant any time, over something forced on in a Dutch greenhouse.
Fruit trees & bushes: I'd NEVER buy them from a supermarket. Ok, they'll cost more - maybe twice or 3 times as much - from a garden centre or specialist supplier, but you should get a correctly named, well-grown tree on an appropriate rootstock, with advice about pollination, pruning etc which you'll never find in a supermarket. The tree will be with you for upwards of 20 years so the initial cost is worth it, when you consider the value of the crops of fruit you'll get. And if there are any problems you can take it back for a refund (but keep your receipt and labels!).
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
The plants that I have bought look pretty healthy, especially the tubers from the Dahlias. I believe gardening should be expensive as it is nature after all. I have bought a camellia from Aldi and I will plant it somewhere suitable. It only cost be a fiver, so not much loss if it doesn't live. But I can't see it being a problem.
I bought three Blackcurrant plants from Lidl three years ago and they have grown into fine healthy shrubs producing fruit from the first year. Last year I made 1lb of jam from them, not much you might think but they were just 3 sticks when I bought them, plus I live 1000ft above sea level in Scotland!!
I got 2 roses, 3 echinea and a pack of purple perennials from there yesterday. The root systems on all of them are great and the roses are nearly the same size as ones from T&M or David Austen..they were ??1.89.
In fact, I have to say they were all in better condition that some things I have seen at independent nurseries lately- last year's dormant perennials now pot bound and covered in moss with weeds growing in!
I got 3 Gypsophila & 5 Liily of the valley 99p each & a lovely camellia with buds on for £4.99 from Lidl also raised beds for £6.99 & tray of small pots for £2.99 very pleased with my purchases. Planted out the Gypsophila & lily of the valley both had good roots & healthy shoots.
In a world where you can be anything, always be kind.
Nice to hear others have had good buys too . I have had a couple fruit trees from aldi & they have done well. one was an apricot, the other a plum. the only thing to be careful of is if people switch them. Thats when you get a wrong species.
One thing I absolutely hate about Aldi is that from the day the plants arrive until the day they leave the store, the staff totally disregard them. Either they're sold (if you're quick enough) or the dead plants get thrown away. I've seen hundreds if not thousands of neglected plants slowly dying because no-one waters them. All I get from Aldi customer service is that they'll pass my complaint to the area manager. What a waste!
That's because Aldi is a supermarket - not a nursery or Garden Centre. I don't expect to buy bread and milk from my local nursery....
These places are fine if you want some bits and pieces cheaply to fill a space, but don't expect a brilliant choice and be prepared to nurture and wait. Clematis, as Richard so eloquently says, need to be potted on and looked after for a considerable amount of time before being put in the garden. Large cuttings are all these 'cheap' climbers are.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
The 30cms. top growth on Morrisons cheap clematis is irrelevant, this would be used as cutting material on a traditional nursery, the root system would be potted on into a 2 litre deep pot for another 12 months or so and the new top growth chopped back regularly, then the clematis would be a saleable size, and plantable.
i had 4 nice pink hyacinth bulbs well budded in a tray today from Sainsburys for £2 which should be in flower soon.
I think there are bargains to be had you just need to shop around however I agree for better quality plants, greater variety and good advice you cannot be a nursery.
I am happy to buy my filler plants from the supermarkets and find that a little money can go a long way.
I reckon you can do OK with some supermarket plants if you buy them soon after they arrive at the store, and know that what you're getting is appropriate for your needs and "in season" (eg not summer bedding in February). But nursery or garden centre plants will undoubtedly be looked after better, and are often better value when you take maturity etc into consideration. And I'd prefer a local grown plant any time, over something forced on in a Dutch greenhouse.
Fruit trees & bushes: I'd NEVER buy them from a supermarket. Ok, they'll cost more - maybe twice or 3 times as much - from a garden centre or specialist supplier, but you should get a correctly named, well-grown tree on an appropriate rootstock, with advice about pollination, pruning etc which you'll never find in a supermarket. The tree will be with you for upwards of 20 years so the initial cost is worth it, when you consider the value of the crops of fruit you'll get. And if there are any problems you can take it back for a refund (but keep your receipt and labels!).
The plants that I have bought look pretty healthy, especially the tubers from the Dahlias. I believe gardening should be expensive as it is nature after all. I have bought a camellia from Aldi and I will plant it somewhere suitable. It only cost be a fiver, so not much loss if it doesn't live. But I can't see it being a problem.
I bought three Blackcurrant plants from Lidl three years ago and they have grown into fine healthy shrubs producing fruit from the first year. Last year I made 1lb of jam from them, not much you might think but they were just 3 sticks when I bought them, plus I live 1000ft above sea level in Scotland!!
In fact, I have to say they were all in better condition that some things I have seen at independent nurseries lately- last year's dormant perennials now pot bound and covered in moss with weeds growing in!
I got 3 Gypsophila & 5 Liily of the valley 99p each & a lovely camellia with buds on for £4.99 from Lidl also raised beds for £6.99 & tray of small pots for £2.99 very pleased with my purchases. Planted out the Gypsophila & lily of the valley both had good roots & healthy shoots.
Nice to hear others have had good buys too
. I have had a couple fruit trees from aldi & they have done well. one was an apricot, the other a plum. the only thing to be careful of is if people switch them. Thats when you get a wrong species.
One thing I absolutely hate about Aldi is that from the day the plants arrive until the day they leave the store, the staff totally disregard them. Either they're sold (if you're quick enough) or the dead plants get thrown away. I've seen hundreds if not thousands of neglected plants slowly dying because no-one waters them. All I get from Aldi customer service is that they'll pass my complaint to the area manager. What a waste!
That's because Aldi is a supermarket - not a nursery or Garden Centre. I don't expect to buy bread and milk from my local nursery....
These places are fine if you want some bits and pieces cheaply to fill a space, but don't expect a brilliant choice and be prepared to nurture and wait. Clematis, as Richard so eloquently says, need to be potted on and looked after for a considerable amount of time before being put in the garden. Large cuttings are all these 'cheap' climbers are.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...