Garden Centre Prices AAAGGGHHH!!!

Well, following the kind advice given to me and having lost my Fuchsia I thought Id treat myself to a Daphne. Im trying to replace existing plants for fragrant ones as I go along. I did some research and the Daphne Everlasting seemed to fit the bill as scent from April till October. Ideal. So Ive toodled off to my local Hilliers and found a small one approx. 10" tall. Went to pick it up and then had to pick myself up as the ticket said £29.99.....
Ye Gods I almost needed oxygen. Time to think again as cant spend that much no matter how lovely it might small especially keeping in mind Im not very experienced and I might just possibly kill it soon as look at it.

 

Hi @cindy , have a look at JW Parkers on line. They do a wonderful selection of plants ( trees, shrubs, bulbs, herbaceous, grasses, fruit. everything ) and you also get a free gift with every order. You can also request to have a catalogue sent out to you.

 

We rarely visit the large garden centres. Partly due to price, partly quality and partly variety.

They seem to make more from the coffee shops and cheap tat that they sell and dedicate more shop space to this than to plants.

Are there any local facebook plant swap groups ? We have bought some unusual plants through a local group and sold / given away excess plants.

 

Cindy, the best daphne for all year round appeal and scent for me is Odora Aureomarginata. Tough evergreen with yellow edges to the leaves and delightful scent. It is also prob the most readily available so I would seek out that one. I also grow Perfume Princess which is also very good.

However, check on line or if you have any nurseries nearby pop in there.....prices will be far, far less. Garden centres usually have high prices ....often, as you have found, ridiculously high prices.

I simply avoid garden centres now....their prices as well as their limited variety of plants make them redundant for me.

 

I tend to agree with this. When I want a particular plant, it’s usually not available in garden centres so I seek out special growers. Plants swaps with friends are good sources too.

 

I've found e-Bay quite good for some plants.
Most vendors are anxious to retain their feedback percentage, so you rarely get a bad deal.If you aren't happy with a plant, they usually refund the cost including postage without you having to return it.

 

Nurseries, as opposed to garden centres, are business rates exempt (read more here). GCs tend to buy most plants in on a just in time basis plus they have a larger retail area for non plant products and often a cafe as well. So a specialist nursery will always offer better value and frequently good advice as well.

 

Lots of Daphne are available on Ebay, priced at £9 to about £18. Not sure of the variety you need. Carefully read the description and seller history before buying, so you don't end up with a 2" cutting! It's best to order plants over a weekend so they are posted, hopefully, on the Monday. This is to avoid them being stuck in a sorting office over a hot weekend.