I agree, the standard of garden centres around here is absolutely abysmal.
I refuse to go to most of them. However the one shining star is Paradise Park - bit naffly named as it isn't paradise but the plants are usually very good quality, always good quality and they always have great offers. 6 plants for 10 pounds at the moment for good sized plants that will mature quickly.
There is also a brilliant cottage garden nursery near my friend in Maidstone that I can't remember the name of and we always stop off there to have a look.
The only beef I have with Paradise Park is the sheer amount of tat merchandise you have to walk through to get to the plants - yankee candles and so forth.
I live just round the corner from Mayberry's - part of the same company! I know what you mean about the tat - some of it is a bit of a running joke with my friends. But as a garden centre I've found them better than the Wyevale I used to use, both price wise and how the plants are looked after.
It's only a small branch near us, but it feels like there's a bit more care & knowledge from the staff as it's not part of a huge conglomerate. Plus, I've noticed they've taken on a few younger trainees in the past few months, which seems to have helped a bit more care being heaped on the plants.
It's not perfect, but it's a lot better than some of the other, larger companies out there.
I agree with you all about some of our garden centers charging too much for sub standard plants, I too often see plants that are in dire need of a drink to bring them back from deaths door. Supermarkets are very guilty of neglecting their plants too. Why bother selling them if they cant be bothered looking after them. I now go to a local nursery McLarens to buy good quality plants at a very reasonable price. In September they have a 25% sale of all their plants and I always save up to go for a bargain. The sale is on all month and I end up going there a few times . I would rather give them my cash than Dobbies . I find them to expensive .
I go to a very good local garden centre that is independent and the difference between it and others nearby that are big franchises is amazing. Their plants are well looked after and reasonably priced. They also have a loyalty card which leads to many great offers through the year. In October for example they have a 50% off any one plant. This can be a boon if you want something a bit special.
Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
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I live just round the corner from Mayberry's - part of the same company! I know what you mean about the tat - some of it is a bit of a running joke with my friends. But as a garden centre I've found them better than the Wyevale I used to use, both price wise and how the plants are looked after.
It's only a small branch near us, but it feels like there's a bit more care & knowledge from the staff as it's not part of a huge conglomerate. Plus, I've noticed they've taken on a few younger trainees in the past few months, which seems to have helped a bit more care being heaped on the plants.
It's not perfect, but it's a lot better than some of the other, larger companies out there.
Last edited: 03 September 2016 13:57:16
I agree with you all about some of our garden centers charging too much for sub standard plants, I too often see plants that are in dire need of a drink to bring them back from deaths door. Supermarkets are very guilty of neglecting their plants too. Why bother selling them if they cant be bothered looking after them. I now go to a local nursery McLarens to buy good quality plants at a very reasonable price. In September they have a 25% sale of all their plants and I always save up to go for a bargain. The sale is on all month and I end up going there a few times . I would rather give them my cash than Dobbies . I find them to expensive .
I go to a very good local garden centre that is independent and the difference between it and others nearby that are big franchises is amazing. Their plants are well looked after and reasonably priced. They also have a loyalty card which leads to many great offers through the year. In October for example they have a 50% off any one plant. This can be a boon if you want something a bit special.
Linda, we don't want you and Fairy squabbling over the reduced plants.
Reduced priced plants....cant tell you how happy that makes me
.