B&Q plants

Hi,

I'd like to know what you think of B&Q plants.
Are they good quality?
Today I saw some asiatic lilys. The were selling them 3 quid a pot and was tempted but having been let down by them on other kind of purchases I thought I'd ask on here what people thought of them.

Regards,

 

Hi gardenlearner, I have bought plants from B@Q before and I think that they are ok as long as you give them a good check over first, they are not renound for looking after their plants,ie watering them.

 

Hello gardenlearner, and welcome to GC.

I can recommend them 100% ... at least the Isle of Wight one. I have many, many plants in my garden here in Algarve ... roses, grasses and various other plants that were bought at B&Q.

I have three "main" roses (the other eight are minis). Two of the three are Rhapsody in Blue and Sunseeker, both B&Q purchases, photos of which are up in the Roses thread here.

The one or two items that have failed have been completely by my neglect/the heat of where I live.

Obviously different stores may treat their plants differently, but as dalbuie says look out for neglect such as lack of watering or general care ... you know a healthy plant when you see one.

[ 13. April 2008, 08:40 PM: Message edited by: Lady of Leisure ]

 

thanks.

has anyone ever purchased from these?

They seem to have some cracking prices.

http://www.guardiangardencentre.co.uk/Index.cfm

 

The B+Q plants generally start off very well, a lot come in from Holland amoungst other places. But as has been said above not all B+Qs have decent gardening staff, so they can be left to dry out.

Not tried that site, so cant comment.

 

I agree here totally. I've had fab advice from the old folk working there that has been totally backed up by you guys :D

 

Found myself in B&Q today (do you know they don't sell horticultural grit?) and it was very hard to resist the urge to buy something. The thing that puts me off is the generic "clone" copies as far as the eye can see. They're all grown to be the same size, shape, colour, price and it just doesn't seem natural. Aside from the peat-based compost hiding in every pot (although it is good to see them putting their peat-free composts on offer this weekend - despite a narrow range of peat-free options), the variety available is a disappointment.

I have to say my view is skewed after visiting a small nursery 3 minutes walk away from my mum's cottage in Devon. Even on this small site the range available and the varieties within each type puts the larger stores to shame. Combining this with a plantsman who really knows his stuff, and not a teenager texting his mates who doesn't have a clue, means everything else just doesn't match up.

For anyone visiting Ipplepen, near Newton Abbot, Devon: go down North Street and find Nigel. Very reasonable prices a bonus.

 

Tropical Gaz ... they ALL come from Holland, be it going to the UK or here in Portugal. It's a FACT.

It doesn't matter whether it's a B&Q or a garden center here ... for the most part they all come from Holland.

The only way they don't is if you buy from a nursery you know grow them themselves.... wow, such is life in the EU but I probably buy hem cheaper than you guys do.

 

Hi Gardenlearner.
www.guardiangardencentre.co.uk is the same company as mirrorgarden.co.uk and I had a terrible experience with them this year.
All the plants they sent me were in very poor condition (most have died) and they refused to give me a replacement/refund.
Hope this helps.

 

Went in Wyevales today

The indoor stuff was all a bit crispy, the out door stuff was OK.

They did have a sign up, "staff wanted", but I bet they only pay the basic, and nobody can live on that, can they?

 

I just love a bargain and seem to get quite a few from B & Q, only last autumn we brought loads of pansys (24 in a tray) and primroses (15 per tray) and these plants are still flowering amazingly well..... not bad for �£1 per pack!

Also brought my cold frame for just under �£20, a greenhouse heater for another �£20 and two packs of two tier aluminium 4ft long greenhouse staging for just over �£20 each...now that can't be bad surely? Hel.xxx.

 

We've got a B&Q literally round the corner from us, and I've had quite a few plants from there. But I would advise to the give the plants you want a good looking over and check its healthy, and been kept watered. Only some of the plants I've seen there are well and truely past their sell by date!!!! :eek: 02

 

Hi gardenlearner, as somebody who works for B&Q, the only advice I can give you is to talk to the staff in the garden centre before you buy any plants, if they are knowledgeable on the plants they are selling then you can be sure that they try hard to look after the plants
If they don't know the difference between a daisy and a dahlia you should steer cleer because they won't have been watering the plants or looking after them at all
hope this helps
siham

 

It doesn't matter where you buy plants from o2 the same thing applies although sometimes the price is so good on a poorly plant it's worth taking a chance on it.

In fact some gardeners relish the chance to see if they can get a plant going after it's been neglected.... on this forum alone some members have been very lucky to get some great bargains from the poorly corner at B & Q and now have outstanding plants due to their love and care as well as saving a great deal of money along the way too.Hel.xxxx.

 

They currently have 25% off all outdoor plants.....