We are regularly asked at shows and events about buying plants online, and many people are surprised to learn that we ship plants all over the UK. Many people link the practice of shipping plants to the COVID pandemic, when so many companies had no choice but to distribute their products online. However, this is not the whole story, as plants were being shipped to customers for decades before the pandemic struck.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
In fact, thinking (fondly) back to the heyday of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in the 90s, you could only purchase plants from the nurseries in the Grand Pavilion if you placed an order with the company at the show. The plant order would then be dispatched once those plants were ready for planting.
My very first Chelsea purchase was for some potted plants, specifically pendula begonias called ‘Fire Dance’ from the esteemed grower Blackmore & Langdon. At the time, I only had hanging baskets outside my flat in London, but nevertheless I was delighted with my order, which arrived beautifully packaged some weeks later. My begonias – planted dutifully in the baskets – were then much admired by those who passed by that summer. From that point on, I was completely hooked on ordering plants by mail order as doing so meant that I could access unusual plants that were not available for sale in the local garden centres, ensuring I always had something most people had not yet seen.
High Quality Plants
Customers are often sceptical about the plants they will receive once they have placed an order. Please let me reassure you that if you have seen the plants that we sell at shows and events, it is these same quality plants that we sell online. We operate on a small plot (just under an acre), so we don’t have the space to keep graded stock – the stock is either good quality or it is removed. We are aware of many companies that send out immature plants while advertising them in full mature form; while their advertisement shows a larger plant standing at 1.5 metres tall, the plant they send then arrives in a tiny pot only 5 centimetres in height.
Plant Sizing
To avoid falling foul of this, do always check the pot size that the plant will come in and make sure that you are buying a plant and not bare-root plants or bulbs that need to be grown on. All our listings on the website provide the size of the pot the plant will be sent in. These range from our smallest 9cm pots right up to 7.5-litre pots. Basically, the bigger the pot, the bigger the root ball. In general terms, this means that the larger pots will contain more mature plants (our shrubs sold in 3-litre pots are normally 2+ years old whether outdoor plants or indoor plants).
We offer a wide range of options, from small house plants to larger ornamental trees that can make an instant impact in your garden. For example, our herb plants are perfect for adding fresh flavours to your cooking, while our plants for gifts make a thoughtful choice for any occasion.
Please do bear in mind that, should you wish to see pictures of the plants before you place the order, you only need to send an email, and we can send these to you. We always recommend buying plants before they are at their flowering best, as that way, you get to enjoy watching the plants grow. Of course, ‘instant gardening’ has its place but, personally, I don’t get much satisfaction when buying a plant only for the flowers to finish days – or at best a couple of weeks – after planting it. I like to get the most out of my blooms.
In fact, one of the first things that my father taught me – and a lesson that has stuck with me to this day – was to never buy a plant in full bloom and to always go for the one about to bloom or that is in tight bud.
Customer Experience Matters!
Our aim with every order is for the customer to experience the same delight that I had when opening my begonias parcel back in the 90s. So, once we have received an order, we carefully select the best plants for containers, ensuring that they are the most robust and healthy specimens. We will always send the plant(s) that look the best and have the most foliage and, if applicable, flowers or buds. We do not cut plants back to fit into boxes; instead, we custom-build a box for every order we receive. This does take more time, but we always want the customer to be delighted with their plants when they unpack them.
We also try to turn around orders quickly, but this is very weather-dependent. For example, if it has been very wet, we will try to dry the plants off a little before boxing them. Soggy bottoms are never popular but in the courier world, they can be disastrous! We also only use a next-day courier service; yes, there are cheaper methods out there, but they just don’t work for our business model.
Robust Plant Packaging
Once the plants are ready to go into the box, we protect them with cardboard sleeves and pack the box with paper. All the packaging we use can be recycled, including the tape on the boxes. Sometimes (if the plant is very wet), we might have to line the box with some plastic. However, rest assured that this plastic will be upcycled from plastic that has come into the nursery. We never buy any plastic for packaging purposes.
Please note that we only send orders between Monday and Thursday. If we send anything on a Friday, we run the risk of the plants sitting in a depot all weekend before being delivered on a Monday. We also tend to avoid sending anything the day before a bank holiday weekend; in this instance, we will wait until the bank holiday is over.
Our Online Plant Store
Our online store offers an extensive range of plants to suit every gardener’s needs, whether you’re cultivating a small urban balcony or a sprawling countryside garden. With a range of plants available, from delicate bedding plants to robust hardy plants, we aim to cater to every plant type and environment. For those looking to grow their own produce, we stock a variety of fruit trees, perfect for adding a practical yet beautiful touch to your garden. Additionally, our range of bulbs offers something for every season, helping to create stunning displays that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
For any plant lover, there’s nothing quite like discovering a new selection of plants to enhance their garden or home. Whether you’re searching for your next favourite plants or exploring something new, our collection of plants is thoughtfully curated to suit gardeners of all experience levels. From fresh plants ready to brighten your windowsill to outdoor staples that stand the test of time, we ensure every order offers both quality and variety.
Leading Online Plant Retailer
As one of the leading online plant retailers, we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of plant categories, catering to everyone from beginners to those with years of plant knowledge. You’ll find everything from popular plants that are loved for their reliability to options that come in different size plants to suit any space. Whether you’re creating a small container garden or a larger outdoor project, we aim to make finding the perfect plants as enjoyable as planting them.
If you’re seeking to add height or structure to your garden, our climbing plants are a fantastic choice. These versatile plants can transform walls, fences, and trellises into vibrant features filled with colour and life. For a more unique touch, we also offer a wide selection of exotic plants, ideal for bringing something unusual to your home or outdoor space.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our plant shop features a huge range of plants for sale, making it easy to find the perfect additions for your garden.
As one of the trusted online retailers, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality plants that bring joy to gardeners across the UK!