Three out of every four container plants are purchased at a garden centre. You can wander around and look at the perennials, trees and shrubs, conscious that at almost any time of the year it is possible to get a container-grown specimen and plant it in your own garden. Selecting a plant is simple but getting it home may be difficult - never bend or twist the stems to fit it into your car. Also, keep in mind that a plant could get roasted in the boot or wind burnt if left next to an open window in your moving vehicle. There is several rules to follow so as to ensure trouble-free shopping. Aim to go at the beginning of the planting season before shortages come about, and try to go midweek avoiding the weekend crowds.
Don't buy on impulse unless you actually know your plants - it is a lot better to make an inventory and buy the best specimens that you can find. When you see a beautiful plant which isn't on the list, make a record of its name and check its suitability in a text book or on theby using internet when you return to your house. You can always buy it on your next visit if it is suitable.
Advantages:
You are able to see what you are buying. Whenever possible make your selection when a container-grown plant is at its maximum display stage - flowering shrubs in bloom, berrying shrubs in fruit, etc.
Container-grown stock may be planted straight away. When your first option is not available, it is possible to immediately pick something else.
Aside from trees it is usually possible to take your plants home with you - no delays, no transport charges.
Advice will always be on hand. However, do check the advice in a specialist book when you get home.
Disadvantages:
The varieties on offer are normally the more standard ones - you can't expect a garden centre to stock a huge number of varieties which may not be bought.
Nurseries are normally a long way from the middle of town, this means that your nearest one is possibly inaccessible if you do not have a vehicle.
Numbers of each variety may perhaps be limited, so if you are planning for a massed planting or a long hedge you may have to order from a large mail order nursery.
The main stock-in-trade, the container-grown plant is generally more costly.
If something goes wrong:
If a number of your plants fail and you are confident that it isn't your mistake, return it to your garden centre and explain what has happened. You will need proof of purchase so always keep your receipt when buying plants. If the garden centre is a member of the Garden Centre Association (you will see IGC symbol on display) then it guarantees to exchange any container-grown plant which has failed within 6 months of purchase, as long as reasonable care has been taken.
Author Resource:
A fantastic quantity of my time is spent in my garden, but as I am getting older and things are becoming harder to do. I have decided to make use of a company called Local Tradespeople . So far they have given me all the help and advice that I have asked for. I still do a bit of pottering around my own garden.
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