Buying plants online

[mmmmmchocolate]

Who do you all recommend when buying plants online? I’m looking for personal recommendations as apart from the main companies like RHS and Thompson and Morgan there are a lot of companies that I’m unfamiliar with. I’ve never brought any plants online but I’m looking for raspberries and loganberries and I’m looking to not pay garden centre prices. Thanks 😊

I've had pretty poor results from Parkers except for a beautiful cherry tree which flourished. So I've ordered another and taken a risk on an Amelchior. They were dispatched today so I'll update on the quality.

I'm a fan of Pennard Plants for soft fruit. They have other unusual edible plants too, but don't do annuals or perennials unless they're edible. Their service is excellent.

Ken Muir for berries every time.

Crocus for the guarantee, I've used it, and it was hasslefree. Plus the after advice which I've used and is genuinely helpful!

Thompson and Morgan are fine. Parkers were not great quality in appearence, but have survived and flourished.

Van Meuwen and Farmer Gracy also have been good.

Most garden centres buy from the same few wholesale companies though.....

Not really sure what you mean by that or why you've chosen me to reply to?

Other MNers on the thread have said they've used their local Garden Centres with similar results.

I loath Thompson & Morgan. I have weakened in the face of ‘great offers’ a few times. The plants have all been awful, too small and too weak plug plants. I do highly rate Crocus and Farmer Gracy.

Not a fan of Sarah raven. I want to be, but....service is poor. One of the roses I bought from her died quite quickly too. Great for inspiration, but buy elsewhere (and for less)

I think she’s saying that most garden centres buy in their plants rather than grow their own, and the suppliers are just a handful of large nurseries who sell to trade. For a better range, and more knowledge of your plant, it’s better to buy from a nursery that actually grows the plant.

Agree with this. It’s all mouth and no trousers. Beautiful photos and great marketing, but the quality isn’t there sadly.

Highly recommend Glen Ample from T and M. The raspberries are delicious and you get loads. I also got some autumn fruiting ones but they haven't done nearly as well. The Glen ample though are amazing.

Oh and I bought a tonne of bulbs from SR and not one came up - never had anything like that with bulbs before normally they're so reliable.

I'm actually not surprised, I know others have had issues with Sarah raven too. Everytime I've bought from her as well it's taken weeks to arrive. Just not worth the hassle (or £)!

Putting in more votes for Ashridge and RV Rogers. I've just got some bare root fruit trees from Rogers and they were in beautiful condition; I've had lots from Ashridge and they are very reliable. Crocus I don't rate. Buying from a garden centre as opposed to a nursery will usually be bad value IMO.

Same here! During pandemic I ordered seeds from her that were out of date by a long way - very obviously so; the packaging had been redesigned since they'd been packed.

Highly recommend Farmer Gracey, I have bought a variety of bulbs from them for the past 3 seasons and they are amazing! especially their choice of tulip bulbs. Wonderful quality bulbs.

That's good to know. Thank you @Onwayoutsoon

This place is excellent. They do the fruit you’re looking for (I think).

I’ve bought trees from there, big and small and they’re excellent.

They’re not particularly cheap but you get what you pay for in the garden as well as in everything else.

Dobies and Suttons have been good for me

I have actually bought some great plants on eBay !

I’ve had a plum tree, a fig tree and raspberries from Roots plants last year and they’ve all done well. I got the Joan J autumn fruiting raspberries.

Raspberry multiply prolifically, so even if you pay garden centre prices to get some now, you only need a few. Next year will be many. If you can wait a bit wilko, range etc will have them. You garden are good online.

Damn this thread, I’ve just weakened and bought some exciting things from Hayloft 💸

Beans for dinner throughout Feb but it’ll be worth it

I buy most of my perennials online from Ballyrobert nursery. My dahlias and bulbs come from Farmer Gracy. Couldn’t fault either of these companies. Others I have ordered from have been hit and miss. But my options are limited post-Brexit as many U.K. nurseries won’t deliver to NI.