Finding wholesale suppliers

SHmmm, not really a wholesale supplier but one of the plant suppliers I have used in the past is Crocus. For those of you who don't know Crocus, they supplied four of the Chelsea Flower Show main show gardens this year, three of which were awarded Gold Medals (including the Best Show Garden) and the fourth was awarded a Silver-Gilt.

They have a very good selection of plants, especially perennials, and they are all shipped quickly and, more importantly, arrive in very good condition. They are expensive and you can expect to pay garden centre prices at the very least but for plant quality and choice, I have found them hard to beat (if anyone from Crocus is reading this, I could put a gift voucher to very good use). Their customer service seems reasonably competent and I have always found them quite reliable. They also sell off some of the larger perennials from their Chelsea Show gardens and it's always nice to be able to tell a client that they have a part of the Chelsea Flower Show in their garden (especially if it's an award-winner).

Hi Nick,

Oh, we have a couple of good nurseries nearby as well. Dove Cottage who specialise in unusual perennials are one of my favourites. They're a little independent nursery who grow all of their own stock, rather than importing, so I know that anything from them will do well up here in Halifax. I also spotted that there's a plant fair at Ripon at the end of August with lots of regional independent retailers / growers, so I'm going to have a nosey up there this year.

I know that Crocus are expensive if you're planning a whole border / garden but being a gardener rather than a designer, I don't get to replant that much space all in one go. A few plants here or there to fill gaps or replace poor performers is often all I need. If there is only one specific plant that I'm after, my folks live down in Stoke on Trent, only about 10 miles from Bridgemere, and I can occasionally find something there to suit.

I have used a wholesaler up in this neck of the woods but it was about 15 miles away, difficult to get to, and had a very limited stock of plants. For the price that I saved, I'd rather go elsewhere and get something a bit more interesting.

Replies

Andrew Fereday June 22, 2008 at 9:26pm

SHmmm, not really a wholesale supplier but one of the plant suppliers I have used in the past is Crocus. For those of you who don't know Crocus, they supplied four of the Chelsea Flower Show main show gardens this year, three of which were awarded Gold Medals (including the Best Show Garden) and the fourth was awarded a Silver-Gilt.

They have a very good selection of plants, especially perennials, and they are all shipped quickly and, more importantly, arrive in very good condition. They are expensive and you can expect to pay garden centre prices at the very least but for plant quality and choice, I have found them hard to beat (if anyone from Crocus is reading this, I could put a gift voucher to very good use). Their customer service seems reasonably competent and I have always found them quite reliable. They also sell off some of the larger perennials from their Chelsea Show gardens and it's always nice to be able to tell a client that they have a part of the Chelsea Flower Show in their garden (especially if it's an award-winner).
Richard Boyd June 22, 2008 at 11:06pm

Hi Andrew

Unfortunately Crocus is not an option, as their prices are insanely high. My wife bought a small Olive tree for me as a present (I've no idea why as I have about 60 available) about three years ago for £49.99 the same plant that we import from Spain for about £10.50 after taxes & duties.
Nick Steele June 23, 2008 at 7:09pm

I've always thought Crocus fantastically expensive when I've looked through their catalogues - I'd guess their prices are typically double those at which we retail. I've also had customers complain that they've had poor quality plants from them - but maybe they were unlucky. Can't you find a nursery local to you Andrew that can offer you what you need ?
Andrew Fereday June 24, 2008 at 7:46am

Hi Nick,

Oh, we have a couple of good nurseries nearby as well. Dove Cottage who specialise in unusual perennials are one of my favourites. They're a little independent nursery who grow all of their own stock, rather than importing, so I know that anything from them will do well up here in Halifax. I also spotted that there's a plant fair at Ripon at the end of August with lots of regional independent retailers / growers, so I'm going to have a nosey up there this year.

I know that Crocus are expensive if you're planning a whole border / garden but being a gardener rather than a designer, I don't get to replant that much space all in one go. A few plants here or there to fill gaps or replace poor performers is often all I need. If there is only one specific plant that I'm after, my folks live down in Stoke on Trent, only about 10 miles from Bridgemere, and I can occasionally find something there to suit.

I have used a wholesaler up in this neck of the woods but it was about 15 miles away, difficult to get to, and had a very limited stock of plants. For the price that I saved, I'd rather go elsewhere and get something a bit more interesting.