Hardy Palms - Bristol

I spent Saturday travelling over to Bristol and back as part of an organised day out on HT forum.

The first visit was Hardy Palms where we were shown round by the owner, Nigel. Hardy Palms is really a wholesaler of Palms and is only open by appointment, its located on a farm and as such is not like a garden centre. However the range and variety of palms available is simply stunning. Prices range from a modest £10 up to £500+ for the palms in stock. They even bring in large field grown plants from South America which can cost a small fortune. However if you like unusual palms or even the more usual ones the prices are a lot better than the normal garden centres/B+Q etc. I loved the place, the bottom polytunnel was rather warm in the sunshine and stuffed full of great looking large palms. You could almost imagine being on a beach somewhere

Next was the Chief trading post http://www.chieftradingpost.com/ which was a fascinating place loads of unusual sculptures and garden ornaments plus some fantastic plants. I had overspent at Hardy Palms so only bought a variegated dianella for £6. I hadnt seen a varigated one before.

Both places I would really recomend. Hardy Palms do mail order, so i guess a trip to Bristol isnt necessary, but if in the area then Hardy Palms and Chief Trading Post are well worth the trip

 

Chief Trading Post is 10 mins away from where my mum (Compost Corner) lives!

It is one of the most interesting Garden Centres I have visited and is great for architectural plants and unusual other types. It has fantastic displays and is incredibly quirky. Compost took her granddaughter there and she absolutely loved it - although the life sized tiger gave her a bit of a scare..... :eek: :thumb:

It does interesting wooden carved ornaments and other odds and sods - really worth a visit if you are in striking distance of Bristol or Bath.

 

Blimey Gaz, that Chief Trading Post is just down the road from me ! You could have popped in for a cuppa Like you say, it`s quite unusual. Me and mrs freddy have spent a lot of time there on the two occasions that we`ve been. I guess you saw the tree ferns ? I`ll have to check out that other place (hardy palms) when I get the chance, a bit busy right now. Cheers...freddy.

 

Hi Freddy - just noticed you live close to here too. My mum is in Keynsham! She loves to take her grandchildren here and show them the animal statues - it is certainly a garden centre with a difference!

 

:D I was actually down there last week. Didn't buy anything though. Cookie, I play my golf just outside Keynsham, at Stockwood, came second in the monthly medal last saturday :thumb:

 

Well done on your medal fred!

If you know the Stockwood Lane area - there is a great little garden centre just as the lane starts to drop down into Keynsham, called Whitegates Nursey. It is a great place for a wander around - but I noticed that on our last trip there the prices had sneakily started to creep up to nearer the norm - it used to be a good place for a bargain.

 

Hi Cookie Monster.My golf club is actually in Stockwood Lane I know the GC you're talking about. It's also called 'the secret garden' (I think). Spent a few quid up there over the years. But then again, I've spent a few quid everywhere ! (GC wise) Cheers...freddy.