How To Make A... Perfect Plant Purchase

Planning a trip to the garden centre? Adrienne Wild shares her secrets to buying the healthiest and best-value plants.

- Adrienne Wild

Shopping for plants should be an enjoyable experience, especially as there’s such a vast choice available at this time of year. Garden centres are simply department stores for gardeners and stock almost every type of plant from bulbs and bedding to trees. The best stores often have inspiring display gardens that showcase what they have on offer in order to get your creative juices flowing.

Plan beforehand

However, it’s important to know that if you buy plants on impulse, or without checking if they are healthy, you may later find that they have no beneficial impact in your garden.

Before you go to the garden centre, it is sensible to make a list of the type of plants you want or need. You don’t have to go armed with a list of plant names, but think about the colours that will fit your scheme and the shape and habit of the plants that will give the desired effect. Usually there will be experts on hand to help guide you.

Do your homework on the growing conditions in your garden. It’s important to know the amount of sun and how the light travels through your garden during the day, as well as your soil type and whether it is well drained or boggy.