Shrubs etc

Froggitt2

Remember the olden days when you opened the Sunday paper and colour inserts fell out advertising cheap shrubs etc? Where do you go now for these?

Davesnave

The supermarket car park, overgrown hedges, friends, and anywhere that has seeds lying around not doing much....  or I might even pay for some interesting seeds.

But that's not what you mean, is it? I'm also guessing you might not want something that looks like a twig in a 9cm pot either, in which case avoid eBay. There are perfectly good plants on eBay for about £3 all in, but they will take longer to make an impression. You probably want something in a 2 litre pot size.

The only larger shrubs I've bought recently mail order have been from Buckingham Nurseries. They've come in at around £4 which compares favourably with my local nursery/garden centre's £8 - £12.....but the garden centre has a greater range.

We have established one thing on MSE; don't buy mail order from a place with the initials GE.

Froggitt2

Twigs are fine, I'm sure they'll grow in time. Hadn't thought of ebay. Anywhere else? What is GE?

Davesnave

Froggitt2 said:

 What is GE?

Just one of at least 3 threads: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77871835#Comment_77871835

Ian1961

I bought some good plants from a company called Shire Plants last year and they all did wonderfully, all delivered ready to plant out. Personally I try and check feedback on the sites I visit.

twopenny

A good mix of places so you aren't parting with a fortune.

If it's something you desperately desire I'd say a good garden centre. Well grown and they romp away but you pay a lot for that.

Supermarkets but check for size and sturdyness. I've had some great stuff ie a Ceanothus that's reached and spread from 2ft to 6ft in 2yrs but a Camelia that has barely grown and produced no flowers. You win some you loose some for cheapness.

My friend has recommended J.Parkers Manchester for bulbs, small plants and tiny fruit trees. Says he;s been pleased over the last 3yrs.

And as Dave says, I used to walk the dog and spot shrubs that I liked and come September carefully break off cuttings. Hedgerows, wild areas. Stuck them straight in the garden in my nursery bed to see if they'd root. Hardy shrubs with sturdy branches root easily if done at the right time of year.

Even reproduced from my own enough to sell at car boot sales......when they are on again they are a good source.

25_Years_On

My shrubs are either from cuttings or were very cheap, small, somewhat knackered looking plants from the garden centre. The latter might take an additional year to get going but they end up fine. Things like Ribies (flowering currant) are just twigs stuck in the ground.

Brewer20

I'm fortunate to have a large B&M store close by, also a B&Q. Both had a bargain corner sale area when revamping my garden last year. Bought plants for 25p,  shrubs £2, £3 some on special offers. The best place though is our local £1 shop, he had sales on throughout the year, 3 shrubs for £5 or £10 depending on size, bunches of cut flowers £1 etc..
All of the above I used to go (near a supermarket) visit when food shopping, got some bargains if you hit it at the right time.

Farway

If one near you I find Morrison's supermarket at the right time, fit it in with your essential lock down shopping

And as mentioned, Poundland if not wanting anything special

[Deleted User]

The big chainstore type garden centres aren't all bad, i find their things (Blue Diamond) are competitively priced if you're comparing like for like size-wise.

Near here we have small and large GC's and people often bemoan the larger ones' prices but they're invariably up to 3 times larger pots.

For established trees and shrubs though the online nurseries i always find waaaaaay better value for money - even factoring in the delivery charge.

I have a garden that is as i like it, for now, so the need to buy isn't there ......give it time though 😋🤣