I recently order for the first time ever two plants (one cost 18 and the other 12) thru a mail order firm specialising in garden stuff etc. They arrived yesterday both in very poor condition and absolutely tiny, i.e. one stem. Have already reported this to the company concerned but thought I would just put a warning up since I went into my nearest garden centre later and bought another similar plant but very healthy and plenty of growth for 7.99. They say you learn by your mistakes!!

Thanks for the warning Jaycee, have often wandered whether or not to order through the post. I'm sure there are some decent companys out there, but it's knowing which ones. So will give it a miss and stick to the garden centres myself.

Dont forget good old Woolies. By far the best Value.
Many successes on this board come from there.
Lin.

Me to Lin,i have also got some good ones from Wilkinsons and Lidl

I got a fuchsia from a local Woolies store, and its doing a lot better than ones I bought out of Garden centres!!

Would you believe that even the plants I bought thru' the mail have now decided to grow! They're not very good quality at all and were very expensive but, because I went along with the instructions anyway, they have now started to show movement tho' they'll never be as robust as the garden centre (and half the price!)ones. But - everything in the garden is lovely as they say with green shoots and buds showing on everything!! I'm so excited - really must get out more.

The trick with Mail Order is to have a place ready for them when they arrive and not to expect much in the way of size.

Thompson and Morgan said well packaged good sized plants to me but the same cannot be said of my mum - who promptly complained and got them replaced.

The plant supplier from South Woodham Ferris in Essex - who's name escapes me - I and my Mum have had problems with - always willing to replace - but what comes seems smaller than what you have rejected...

One word of praise and that is for Norfolk Lavender - good sized plants - very well packaged... and not just lavender's now...

I also ordered from Daily Mail and was not very happey with the results... the magnolia was pathetic and is now dead... only one or two out of the 12 iris's survived but the freebie - Blueberry Top Hat seems to be thriving and what is more the slugs and snails dont seem to like it...

Hope this aids people - so it seems a question of "you get what you pay for"

Angela

I agree, Thompson and Morgan are really good, but once had a duff batch and they replaced asap. Ordered imaptiens from Garden Direct and were AWFUL!!!!! This year.
No on etold me how easy to grow from seed. Do this with almost all now. Best results and if fails....my fault!
G. xx :D

Yes Gilly thats the people... how they survuve having to replace plants or give money back is any ones guess...

What I must do is find some decent planters for the front of the house - by that I mean heavy ones which are not going to walk and then plant them up with a golden display for the jubilee - will brighten the entrance to the house up no end - at the moment there are two hosta's which I left in their pots as there is no soil, only a load of gravel - but they arent very happy - maybe they need to be potted on... I would plant them if there was any soil to plant them into...

Angie

Also b&q and your friendly everyday CO-OP if you were lucky to have one nearby..

I bought my plants from McCords and they immediately refunded the money when I told them how poor they were when they arrived and, in fact, one died almost immediately. The other is hanging on but I doubt its going to last. My local garden centre has some lovely plants at half the price so I shall stick to them in future.

Has anyone tried the plants from QVC. There was a gardening programme on this morning and they had one or two different plants - they looked OK they will be ready for next year.

I really must recommend Crocus as I ordered 4 plants from them... all arrived by courier within 5 days - all very large quality plants for the price, all in superb condition and all growing well in the garden..

Angela

I have bought some very good Plants from my local supermarket Safeway the price is very good have also been able to buy some very good Pots from them Terracotta and Glazed I always look to see what is on sale when I do my Weekly Shop

I think you cant beat certain Homebases - I know that all are not the same as the one in Wycombe has great plants which are well looked after whilst the one in Aylesbury I wouldn't touch with a barge pole...

I have just bought a patio tomatoe and egg plant (cant spell it's proper name) and found some mosaic pots to put them in...

The tomatoes have been very disappointing but I cant say the same for the courgettes as I should be able to pick some tonight for tea, as well as having freshly picked peas... I am now waiting for the runners to come in and I shall be well in...

Angela