Would You Buy Plants Off...?

hi,

If you're creating a garden from scratch and it's a long term project, would you buy plants off eBay for a few pounds which are presume small, like in 7cm - 9cm pots? Or would you go to the garden centre and buy a larger plant at a time, which would probably be 1l or 2l pots and cost a lot more?

 

I reguarly buy plants in 9cm pots off amazon or off yougarden

Its cheaper and plants grow so to me makes sense :-)

 

Hi Clum,

I don't know where you live but if you have one I find Wilkinsons offer very good value on everything from seeds/bulbs, perennials all the way upto 8" high trees.

I also use Poundland a lot as well. They do a good range of perennials and bulbs.

 

I would find an independent nursery first in your area first and see what they have. They'll be cheaper than the GC's.
There are good and bad sellers on fleabay so it's a little trial and error.
If it's long term why not grow from seed (where it's realistic) and increase your choice.

 

Never bought plants from Flea Bay

 

I only use internet webby sites if it's a specialist site with an established nursery.
For instance a Fuchsia Nursery which allows visits for collections etc. Even though I order through mail order I know that they sell quality plants otherwise they wouldn't allow visitors.

 

I have. One's a local nursery who I visit every so often anyway so it was more like click and collect (I requested an invoice without the P&P). Another seller seems to have disappeared which is a shame as they were very good. Others have been so-so but the plants were rare enough to take a punt and grew into something rather good in the end.

 

I use a couple of small local nurseries, go to NCCPG plant sales and I used to get quite a few plants off a stall in a local market the owner retired a couple of years ago. On the web I use specialist nurseries for bulbs and have bought succulent cuttings and dahlias again from specialists.
If it was a long term project I would be reaching for the seed catalogues and websites of seed suppliers.

 

Around here there are a couple of villages that hold annual (as in once a year) plant sales that are worth a look - you may have similar in your area.

 

I'm creating a Japanese garden, so quite a few plants I'm looking at on the internet I can't find at my local GC in south Northumberland / Newcastle area, but there some I can get local. But I'm unsure if buying 7cm - 9cm pot plants was an ideal thing to though?

 

Most if the time it should be fine they just need a bit of growing on more than others

It depends if you want an instant impact garden or if you can wait for things to grow

 

I have found that smaller plants often establish and grow away better than larger ones.

 

My ex used to buy lots off ebay. They always came well wrapped and generally did very well ...she probably saved £100's in reality .. go for it try a few and see what happens

 

I remember the thread now. What plants are you looking for?