Best online source for bulbs?

JMFD

I've been tasked with sorting out a whole heap of bulbs after my friends saw my display last year.

I was wondering what people's thoughts of the various online bulb companies were? Currently looking a t JParkers, Crocus and Spaldings (T&M don't seem to have the varieties I'm looking for , which is a shame as I'd tesco points them)!.

TIA

savemoney

I tend to use JR Parkers myself have some bulbs coming next month. Often get them free when I buy other stuff over a certain value. I sometime use The range (in store) too.

forgotmyname

I buy from all over.

Wilkinsons end of season sale. I bought £38 worth of seeds for a whopping £2.40. All in date still 2015/2016.

B&Q although i seem to get there too late for the bargains. Chilli plants at the end of august also. I bought 5 plants for £1.99 each. The chillies on them now must be close to that value. I will overwinter them and hopefully get a good crop next year also.

Oops off onto other stuff now... The range also. But not bought many bulbs from them. Smaller local garden centres can be fairly cheap.
Search them out though. I only found one from word of mouth, Driveway between some houses. And another by visiting some stables and seeing the lines of trees over the hedge.

george101

My dad swears by Fentongollan Farm online for daffodil bulbs. He says the quality is excellent and they sell in bulk at good prices.

cyclonebri1

This is getting to be a real issue.

I live in the east midlands.
Chesterfield, Mansfield and Newark markets all did great value bulbs until this or last year.

Did the rounds only last Saturday. no bulb sales on all those markets, :o

Did intend to do a round trip to Parkers in Sleaford, closed until February, not a word on the net, angry methinks

Rummer

I looked online at a variety of sources and the bulbs were just too expensive for me so I went to poundland and stocked up

JMFD

I've had nothing but bad luck with Poundland and similar bulbs, so loathe to try them again.

Used a local nursery for daffs/crocuses/tulips, but looking for some more interesting aliums, early flowering irises etc..

cyclonebri1

I don't like buying bulbs from anywhere that keeps them in a shop, B&Q, Wilkos etc, they simply dry out unless you get them when they 1st come in.
I'm going to have a run over to 1 of Parkers garden centres this weekend as I too have found most bulb specialist too expensive.

Retro_Bunny

Bulbs are always challenging, you get what you pay for.

What I've found from experience is what some others have said, storage is everything, buy them when new in stock and plant straight away or store well (sealed dry tin in dark). Have had reasonable success with Wilko bulbs stored for 12 months.

On Daffs / Narcissus:
Poundland: I reject around 1.5 in 10 at the point of planting (diseased or very dead), then plant in clumps of 3, finding that around 3 in 10 won't grow. Random colours of white, yellow, white/yellow mix.
Wilkinson: Reject around 1 in 10 at the point of planting (sometimes plant all), then plant in pairs, finding that around 2 in 10 won't grow. Mostly single yellow or white/yellow mix depending on bag.
Asda: Not as good value to buy, but never reject any at point of planting (seem to be better selected) have the odd failure, maybe 0.5 in 10. Same colours per box.

Poundland Anemone: 10 in 10 failed! (Asda 2 in 10 failed)
Poundland Gladioli: Very good flowers, maybe 1 in 10 failed.
Wilko Dahlias (on clearance): packs of 3, 2 grew from each pack.
Asda Sparaxis and Crocosmia: Very good, all grew I think?

Personally avoid Poundland (although their spuds grow fairly well)
Wilko ok, but buy as soon as in stock and plant early (or store well).
Asda - I like Asda bulbs, but low quantities make them pricey compared to other budget brands.

I'll report on B&Q daffs in spring next year :-)

cyclonebri1

Retro_Bunny wrote: »

Bulbs are always challenging, you get what you pay for.



I'll report on B&Q daffs in spring next year :-)

I can tell you know that unless you get them very early on they are poor, they just don't keep them correctly. Tried many as we have a 20% discount card for B&Q, daffs are the worst, most others seem ok.

cyclonebri1

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

I don't like buying bulbs from anywhere that keeps them in a shop, B&Q, Wilkos etc, they simply dry out unless you get them when they 1st come in.
I'm going to have a run over to 1 of Parkers garden centres this weekend as I too have found most bulb specialist too expensive.

Well, went across the parkers garden centre near Macclesfield yesterday.
I have to say it is the best I have ever visited for almost everything.
Ok like most others there is too much given over to poxy glittery stuff, but this years bulbs are in and look great quality.

Here's the good point, they have all the catalog offers on bulbs in stock along with stuff that isn't shown, But the best thing is most are much cheaper than the catalog price, some 1/2price and 1 pack of tulips I bought where on offer at 5.99 in the cat but were only 1.99 in the shop.
Can recommend to anyone near enough.:T:T