Where to buy plants in (semi) bulk for a good price?

Hi everyone,

I’ve now completed my garden design and looking at sourcing the plants. We went to the garden centre at the weekend and kicked of buying some. I’m guessing that is not going to be the cheapest way of getting them. Can someone recommend a nursery or other retailers that may be better value? I have used Claire Austin and Sarah Raven before but would love to hear people’s recommendations.

Small plants are fine too as I’m not looking for a Chelsea garden, well this or next year anyway. :-)

Many thanks,

Ec

 

Depends what you want and how many of each.
You could get your list drawn up and then go to a couple of local GCs find the boss and say you want this lot how about a discount.
Online nurseries and mail order suppliers will often give free delivery for orders say over £100.
Down here we have Plants Galore a "plant supermarket" pile it high sell it cheap and when it's gone it's gone and they are worth a look especially if you want trayfuls of bedding plants.
I seem to recall that Hampshire has a fair few nurseries that might be worth chatting to.
Farmyard Nurseries are reasonably priced especially for small pots of shrubs, trees and perennials. You have to keep a watch on them as their stock can change on a daily basis and things are coming and going from stock as they are propagated or potted on.

 

Try growers rather than multiple chain garden centres. If you require quantities of the same plant you may be welcomed where a sign says "trade /wholesale only"; the worst they can do is say No.
Expect not to be able to just pick out the 'already in bloom' but to take a tray 'just as they come'. Be prepared to settle in cash-it sometimes makes a difference. Realise that 'trade sales' means no guarantee for life ! The New forest area has several likely sources from my recollection.

 

There's a wholesale nursery just down the road from me.
They don't take kindly to spending their time advising about plants, but if you know what plants you want then they'll happily direct you to a greenhouse where you can choose what you want, assuming they are growing them.
It's a huge place.
I'd guess the savings are around around 20-25%
F. J. Harnett & Son

 

Parkers also have a wholesale site J Parker Dutch Bulbs (Wholesale) Ltd. (B2B). There is a minimum charge of £50 or a small order charge of £4 is added. Most items seem to be available in 10s.
This is a suggestion, not a recommendation - I have only used their other site.

 

Yes, I definitely am willing to wait.

 

Hi

all depends what you like to grow ? but growing annuals and perennials from seed is easy and so much cheaper .. plus I have bought bigger plants at the garden centre yes more ££ but I have been able to split them up and take cuttings.

Spruce

 

I used the wholesale site last autumn when we moved into this house. I went for perennial plugs and bare roots and some shrubs, all have successfully overwintered in the cold greenhouse.

The usual quantities were 5-6 each, which is just right to start a garden from scratch.

Morrisons is also a treat, great quality climbers £2 each. Mondays are the best day for bargain hunting when they get new stock and sell any drooping ones for pennies

JParkers in general is very good I think. Their plants are small but good quality- and very reasonably priced.

 

Victoriana has a group discount but its not that much. Happy with the kiwis i bought from them. I purchased bulbs from farmer graceys and have been happy except for the fritillaries I bought which havent come up, but they may still be alive.

 

I don't live too far away from here. Have you been here yourself to buy plants from them at all?

 

Yes, I've been many times over the years.
It's well worth a visit

 

Sometimes there are plant sales when visiting NGS gardens or at charity events where plants are sold cheaply. There is a farmers' market in our village in Norfolk and the "plant lady" sells cheap plants.

I often buy plants from plant nurseries rather than garden centres. Can mean a longer drive but the plants are cheaper and healthy.

 

Thanks I'll be sure to check it out!