Best place to buy a lot of plants

[Squashpocket]

I'm a novice gardener and have 3 fairly big flower beds to fill. We're going to have to grow some plants from seed I think otherwise it's going to be unaffordable, but I'd like to buy a few nice perennial plants to get us going.

We've been in to the big chain garden centres like Wyevale and Dobbies, but the plants seemed so expensive (£30 for one teeny clematis ). Is there a better option?

We're in Warwickshire if anyone happens to know a good local place.

Local markets are often the cheapest option for plants. I've bought lots of really good stuff at mine over the years.

See if you can find some nurseries as opposed to garden centres.

Supermarkets and b&q may have some reasonable plants too (just don't trust them for any sort of advice).

ASDA is pretty good!

Not near Warwickshire, but we have a fantastic local family owned nursery nearby us: healthy plants, great prices and personalised advice.
When I go to other "garden centres" I cannot believe the prices they charge compared to my local nursery.

Lidl for price. Different choice every week. Can be interesting

Garden centres and nurseries often have reduced areas, where the not quite perfect plants are sold off cheaply. The plants might look tatty or over their flowering season, but with a little care they can be beautiful by the next season.
In September, Spring bulbs are sold pretty cheaply in bulk in a lot of places and make the garden come alive.
Look for plants stalls at summer fairs and events, they are usually very cheap plants grown by other gardeners. Ask neighbours and friends if they are dividing plants.

I'm in South Warwickshire and often pick up stuff from the National Herb Centre ( not just herbs) and Coton Manor over in Northamptonshire if that helps?

Allotment sales/Fairs are fantastic - be prepared to get there early and queue! Also, local fundraisers - scouts, school fairs etc
I've had some great ebay bargains. A massive shrub for

I thought the national herb centre was pretty expensive. Although I'll admit it had a great selection of plants you don't see a lot of.

Aldi has some great plants cheap, as do Morrison's, home bargains and the range.

Buying online is probably cheaper (certainly cheaper than £30 for a clematis!) and there are often multi-buy offers. Have a look at hedging websites for cheap shrubs. Hedges Direct has decent size lavender, Ceanothus, Potentilla, Forsythia and some other of the prettier ones all for £5-6. But obviously check how big they grow if not in a hedge...

And yes, Morrison’s is amazingly cheap. The ones in our local Morrison’s just look so sad and droopy I want to rescue them!

On line is usually cheaper though the plants may be smaller. They’ll grow with a bit of tic. If you sow wallflowers and cornflowers now they’ll be up by spring.

Clearance corner at b and q after v windy or dry weather is fab. Pick perennials.

Ask around neighbours and friends who are gardeners. Most happily share plants or cuttings. It might all look a bit random at first but you can tidy it up as things grow and fill out.

Google wholesale nurseries in your area. Some with have a "cash and carry" department where you can buy for more like trade prices. If you need an account to shop there speak to local landscapers who might be willing to place an order for you.

And if you have big beds buy several of the same plant to cover a larger area at once.

B and Q every time. I love plants and buy loads.

Street markets imo are often more expensive than B and Q. And B and Q usually have bog offs or whatever.

Might trot down there myself today, now it’s been brought up.

Dss who is a keen gardener also thinks the same!

Have a look in the Yellow Book (online) it will show you local gardens open to the public for charity , they often have plants for sale as well, can be a bit varied so get there early for bargains. Advantage is they are usually a lot cheaper, are often more unusual varieties, are suited to local conditions, come with free advice and * home made cake!

*Though the cake and entry to the garden isn't free.

Our local allotment society also has a sale day, worth asking ,again lots of free advice.

Crick Garden Centre is amazing. We travel 20 miles to visit as it's such good value.

Also if you are buying a lot from a local nursery they might give you a discount. Ours does for people who are planting up new gardens.

I find Lidl to be good. In my area, there is a Facebook Group for amateur gardeners who sell their plants off cheaply or give them away. I guess they have grown them from seed etc. Also people use it if they are having their garden landscaped and they are digging up plants to make way for the new scheme. There are always bargains to be had.

A garden centre near me has a sale section with plants from 50p to £2ish. They usually just need a good watering!

Home Bargains and supermarkets have various cheap plants.
Their plants are often neglected but can usually be revived by standing the pots in water overnight. If the plants are young and a bit tender I pot them in a bigger pot for a few weeks/months till they're mature enough to plant out.
Also, ask the Manager is you can have a discount. I got some Salvia Hot Lips plants for £1.99 each from Home Bargains reduced £2.99 and some almost dead Asiatic Lilies for £1 each. All now thriving after a bit of TLC.

Great tips, thank you very much. Might stop at b&q or Morrison's on the way home

Also learn about propagation, growing plants from cuttings. Look out for roadside stalls in villages, very keen gardeners often grow too much and sell plants for charity. Fetes and country fairs. Make friends with other gardeners! Enjoy your garden, it’s addictive!

I live in Warwickshire and agree with what you say about Wyevale - ridiculous prices. The best place I know is the Avondale nursery which is located within Russells Garden Centre at Baginton, Coventry. They sell a really wide range of perennials, all grown on site and all plants are £5 a go. The owner, Brian, is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. He is retiring at the end of this year but I am assured that the new owner is going to continue the business in a similar way. There is also a shrub nursery on site which is pretty good.

How did you get on OP? Best bargains I've had are Morrison's in leaming ton, Homebase in Leamington - staff knowledgeable ad helpful, also local plat sales - too late for this year but look out for next year.
Wyevale is ridiculously overpriced