Sources Of Supply For The Gardener

Three out of every four container plants are purchased from a garden centre

. You may wander around and look at the perennials, trees and shrubs, conscious that at almost any time of the year you can get a container-grown specimen and plant it in your own garden. Selecting a plant is easy but getting it home may be difficult - never bend or twist the stems to get it into the vehicle. Also, keep in mind that a plant can get roasted in the boot or wind burnt if left next to an open window in your moving vehicle. There are several rules to follow in order to ensure trouble-free shopping. Aim to go at the start of the planting season before shortages occur, and attempt to go midweek avoiding the weekend crowds.

Do not buy on impulse unless you really know your plants - it is much better to take an inventory and buy the best specimens you can find. If you see a beautiful plant which isnt on the list, make a note of its name to check its suitability in a text book or on they using internet when you return to your home. You can always buy it on your next visit if it is suitable.

Advantages:

You can actually see exactly what youre purchasing. Whenever possible make your selection when a container-grown plant is at its greatest display stage - flowering shrubs in bloom, berrying shrubs in fruit, etc.

Container-grown stock can be planted straight away. If your first option just isn't available, it is possible to immediately choose something else.

Apart from trees it is usually possible to take your plants home with you - no delays, no transport expenses.

Advice will always be on hand. However, do check the advice in a specialist book when you get home.

Drawbacks:

The varieties on offer are frequently the more common ones - you can't expect a garden centre to stock a large number of varieties which might not sell.

Garden centres are normally a long way from the centre of town, this means that the nearest one might be inaccessible when you do not use a vehicle.

Numbers of each variety may perhaps be restricted, so if you are planning for a massed planting or a long hedge you might need to order from a large mail order nursery.

The principle stock-in-trade, the container-grown plant is generally more expensive.

If something goes wrong:

If a number of your plants fail and you are convinced that it is not your fault, take it back to your garden centre and explain what has happened. You will need proof of purchase so always keep the receipt when buying plants. If your garden centre is a member of the Garden Centre Association (you will see IGC symbol on display) then it guarantees to replace any container-grown plant which has failed within 6 months of purchase, if reasonable care has been taken.

Bedding plants and bulbs as well as house plants can be purchased from market stalls all over the UK. Handy and economical, but do take care. Feel the bulbs to make sure they are firm and don't buy bedding plants if there are any warning signs the plant isn't healthy.

by: Johan Monarrez

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