The Ideas Genie Community Forum
Suppliers => Plant Suppliers => Topic started by: mikesanders on March 15, 2006, 12:17:26 AM
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One of the pleasures of gardening is the growing of plants from seed. However, time is not always on our side, so I am looking for the "in-between" of buying small plants for growing on - I suppose they go under the name of plug plants.
Most of the big mail order companies offer plug plants of various types, but I would rather do business with specialist nurseries who offer this type of product.
Does any FG/IG member have a favourite nursery (preferably mail order) which specialisies in the smaller plants of a few species, who know their plants and can provide good information on species information, cultivation, and "things to look out for".
I have recently had a very good response from Sharon Shaul at Turncroft Hall in Darwen, Lancashire who has been most helpful in advising on the selction of Hebes for use as a small ornamental hedge. The plants arrived healthy, needing a little bit of growing on, but were a very cost-effective way of adding several new varieties to my plant stock.
Any other such specialist nurseries??
Mike Sanders
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Hi Mike
A nursery I have used in the past is Hayloft Plants it is not a specialist nursery but there is a good selection of plants (plugs) reasonably priced and well packaged, there web site is www.hayloftplants.co.uk hope this info may be some use.
Happy gardening
Harry
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Ive had a look at the Hayloft website Harry. Its very good.
Theres a section for Magazine offers, so it looks like they are the Nursery behind many of the offers we see in our UK gardening magazines.
I see they have a nice range of Penstemons! Is that where you got yours?
Another nice plant I bumped into last year was Heliotrope. I see they do one called 'Princess Marina' £9 for 3.
I browsed through their "long flowering" section and saw a lovely little plant called Saponaria officinalis Rosea Plena, 24ins, scented.
I'm building up a range of Nurseries on my web site links page:
http://www.ideasforgardens.com/links-categories/Nurseries/nurseries.html
Click on the Van Meuwen link, Mike. They do tiny plug plants. I hope to buy some myself from them.
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Hi george
I have bought various collections from hayloft mainly penstemons and have been pleased with the resulting plants
happy gardening
harry
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The collections are a great idea. In some cases, you get a good plant that you would not otherwise have chosen.
I hope to get to choosing plants soon. I always enjoy that.
What are your favourite Penstemons? I might buy some more.
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Hi george
I don't really have a favourite they are all great but if I had to choose 1 it would have to be Bossmerry a deep red/pink I bought it at Tatton park Flower show last year so I can't tell you the supplier check around you may find it Let me know if you do
happy gardening
Harry
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Cant find it on the net, and dont see it listed in an older version of RHS Plantfinder Harry.
Perhaps its a new variety.
Thanks for the tip. I'll look out for it.
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Hi George
maybe I could send you a few cuttings at a later date in the meantime keep searching I will do the same.
Happy gardening
Harry
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I'd love to try a few cuttings Harry. Are they easy to root?
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Hi george
I am sorry to mislead you but the penstemon I have been calling Bossmerry since the day I bought it is actually called Abbotsmerry Sorry about that George. I find most of the penstemons root very easily from cuttings using the excepted method.
Happy Gardening
Harry
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Ive found a photo of that one OK Harry.
http://www.gardenplants-nursery.co.uk/plants.php?sel=mq
When its growing well and you can spare it, I'd love to try a cutting.
If its one of your favourites, its worth growing!
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Getting back to the main purpose of this thread...
Your recommendations on good plant suppliers and Nurseries would be much appreciated. Its plant buying time!!