Brooklyn Queens Land Trust

ON Buying plants

Apr 22, 2004

For many gardeners, there's nothing better than a trip to the garden centre or nursery for a little retail therapy. To bring home a car trunk full of the right plants at the right price, follow our guide to successful shopping.


Where to shop

Garden centers

Garden centers are the department stores of the gardening world, stocking everything from plants to outdoor furniture. A local directory, such as Yellow Pages, will list garden centers in your local area.

Nurseries

Nurseries tend to be smaller and more plant-focused than garden centers. They are often run by plant enthusiasts who specialise in a particular group of plants and can be a great place to get specialist advice.

Mail order and online

This is an increasingly popular way of buying plants, especially plug plants which are easy to pack and post. The only disadvantage is that you cannot see the plants before you buy them.
Buying plants

Tips for successful shopping

The best idea is to spend time looking at the conditions in your garden before you go shopping ?– how much sun does it get? What is the soil like? You can then research which plants would do well in your garden and give you the 'look' you're after. Our plant finder will help you to track down the best plants or you could try some of the experts' top ten plants for different places.


Buy plants that will enjoy the conditions in your garden. A sun-loving plant will never do well if your garden is shady.


Be wary of colourful displays of plants in full flower or special promotions. Before that impulse shopping urge overcomes you, check the plant is suited to the conditions in your garden.


Save some money and buy smaller plants as they?’re often much cheaper than larger specimens and will quickly grow.


If you want the instant impact of a bigger specimen, don't be afraid to take the plant out of its pot to check that it's not a smaller one that has recently been repotted to be sold for twice the price.


Look for plants that can be divided or used for taking cuttings from. That way you'll be able to get extra plants for your money.


Buying plants

What to look out for and what to avoid

Flowers

If the plant is in flower, check it matches the picture on the label. If it doesn?’t and you'd like to buy it, ask the staff to identify it for you.

Leaves

Unless they're supposed to be coloured or variegated, leaves should be a healthy shade of green. Look out for any signs of pests and diseases.

Stems and branches

Look for a plant that has an attractive shape. Avoid ones with broken stems or branches.

Compost

Moss, liverwort or weeds in the pot are not freebies that you want. Also watch out for compost that is bone dry.

Roots

Knock the plant gently and take a look at the roots. A good plant will fill its pot with roots. Avoid any where the roots are jammed in and curling around as these have been in their pot too long and are pot-bound. Also avoid any that have only recently been repotted and are more compost than roots