Frequently Asked Questions

If you cannot find the answer to your question below please feel free to contact us with your enquiry.

I don't have a PayPal account. Can I still place an order on your website?

You do not need a PayPal account to order through our website you can pay with a credit/ debit card as a 'Guest' with PayPal. Just click on the 'Checkout with PayPal' button in your 'Shopping Basket' and click on the ' Don't have a PayPal Account?' link and fill in your details. For more information see How to Order

What pot size do you sell your plants in?

Please see Pot Sizes for more information

What type of compost do you grow your plants in?

At present we use a peat-based compost with a reduced peat formula. We also mix in additional composted bark and or green waste (garden compost.) We sometimes add grit or sand for drainage depending on the requirements of the plants we are potting up. Unfortunately we have not found peat free composts to be suited to the wide variety of plants we grow and feel there is some way to go to improve these sorts of compost before they will be suitable for general nursery use.

Do you use any chemicals against pests/ diseases?

For protection against Vine Weevil we use a product called Met52 which is a naturally occurring, soil borne fungus which attacks the Vine Weevil larvae. It is applied in a granular form and mixed into the compost. You may be able to see some in the compost they look like flat, green rice granules. There will only be small amounts of this product in the individual root ball of each plant and is quite safe in this concentration but as a general precaution we recommend people always use gloves whilst and wash their hands after gardening anyway. For the control of aphids and other pests we use organic products such as soft soap or SB Plant Invigorator.

Will plants be cut back to fit them in the box?

We try wherever possible not to cut plants back but inevitably there are times when this is necessary otherwise it would be impossible to fit them into a sensible sized box. This is most likely to occur at the height of summer when most plants are at the peak of their growth. We will only cut back plants where this will be of no long term detriment. They will soon grow back especially herbaceous plants. We will usually inform you if we have cut plants back so you know what to expect.

How soon can I expect my plants?

Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery although most orders are dispatched in less time than this. We will send you an order confirmation with an estimated dispatch date soon after you place your order. It takes some time to prepare plants for mail order, they often need a period of days to dry out a little as we never send plants with very wet root balls. We also prefer to dispatch plants in the early part of the week to avoid any delays caused by weekends. We believe it is best that plants get to you as quickly as possible after they have been packaged up so they are not confined in a box for too long. When we are very busy, or if the weather is either very hot or cold, there may be a delay, again we will advise. If there is a delay on one or more items in your order we will give you the option to split the delivery, but carriage will be charged on each delivery but possibly at a reduced rate.

Why does the weather affect delivery times?

Plants in transit can be adversely affected by very cold or hot weather. After leaving the nursery they may spend up to 24 hours in both vehicles and depots, neither of which are usually climate controlled. For this reason we do not send plants out during adverse weather conditions if we believe they may suffer any damage as a result. If there is any delay in processing your order as a result we will let you know.

Do I need to be in to sign for delivery?

Normally, yes. We use a 48 hour trackable carrier for most of our deliveries - past experience has told us this is the most reliable way. For small parcels we may use Royal Mail first class which don't need a signature, in which case we will advise you. Please assume that we will use the 'signature required' service, and let us know if there are any days you, or a neighbour, are not around to sign for them. If you think you are unlikely to be at home when your order will be delivered you can either leave a note asking the driver to leave with a neighbour or in a safe place on your property. Please note that unsigned deliveries are at your own risk and not covered by insurance. If you ask a neighbour to take a parcel in for you ask them to check for any signs of damage on the box before they sign for it. You can ask for a Timed Delivery e.g. before 10:30am but this will cost more. If you require this service please contact us and we will work out what this will be as it will depend on the size and weight of the box and the carrier service available. 

How are plants packed?

We use sturdy, re-inforced or double-walled boxes as advised by our carriers. Occasionally we use recycled boxes where these are better suited to the plants being packed. Usually plants will arrive in their pots, secured in the bottom of a closed box and with the root ball wrapped, the top growth unwrapped. This means there is less chance of the box being tipped over in transit (as the weight is concentrated in the bottom), and if it does, the plants should come to no harm. Also, when packed this way, they don't need to be unpacked quite so urgently as with other methods, as air will have been circulating around the top growth in transit. Some plants, including those we dispatch bare-rooted, may be wrapped in paper and packed on their sides. Click here to see a box in the process of being packed.

Are you open to the public?

Yes we are open to the public please see Visitor Information for more information.

Can I reserve plants and collect them at the nursery?

Yes you are welcome to reserve plants to collect at the nursery. You can either use our online shop to select the plants you wish to reserve and then select 'Store Pickup' option at the checkout stage or contact us by phone or e-mail and reserve plants that way. Reservations will be held under your name for one calendar month from the date of reservation or until a specific date which has been agreed. If you have not collected your order within this time or contacted us to re-arrange a date for collection we reserve the right to make plants available for sale again as we cannot keep them reserved indefinitely.