Topic: Costliest Garden Centre / Item!!

[KevB]

Can anyone better the exorbitant prices I have found at my local Garden centre, (Rivendell, Bold Heath), in one room they're selling bulbs at half price (daffs for 10p)  and just outside they're selling 4 or 5 Daff bulbs in a 4" pot  for £2.75!! Now tell me whose taking the ____???
No doubt others will better this I'm sad to say!!
Cheers
KevB

[Palustris]

Drive a bit further Kev, say to Jardiniere(Wyevale) between Frodsham and Chester around Cuddington, or a bit further and Moreton G/C near Chirk. BUT from what my sister-in-law  tells me, some of the ones in the south east make these prices look reasonable.
But if it is plants of good quality at reasonable prices you want then try Morrey's near to Kelsall.
Of course if you really want fun then drive up the Motorway to Walsden near Halifax and go to Gordon Riggs.

[Deeds]

Worst one I have ever seen was at a local (not chain) large garden centre near here in Cornwall, in fact I actually took the manager to task on it.

Camellias grow like weeds here in Cornwall and the most you would expect to pay fpr a large 4'-5' bushy plant is about £12.99.

This place was selling 2' ones (nothing new or exceptional), admittedly healthy with lots of buds for...............................
wait for it..............................................................................
£179.99

[Robert_Brenchley]

I don't know how they've got the nerve, unless it was some rare and extra-special variety being touted to specialist growers.

[Garden Manager]

Down here in Dorset i think the most expensive one close to me would be the Wyevale branch, followed closely by one called Goulds (run by a local department store firm), who used to be good value but have gone upmarket of late.  Best value would be an independant, Groves Nurseries in Bridport

[Deeds]

I don't know how they've got the nerve, unless it was some rare and extra-special variety being touted to specialist growers.

It wasn't even named - looked a bit like Donation to me, certainly one of the Williamsii hybrids - and they're not anywhere near that price at Caerhays - home of the Williams family.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I haven't been to Caerhays for many years; it's only a few miles from where my mother lives, so I ought to make the effort next time I'm down there.

[Mrs Ava]

Wyvales are steep, and so is our little local nursery on some things.  Little tiny Christmas cacti in little bitty pots of 8 quid, and yet, in about 2 weeks time, they will be shifting them for 50p each as all of the flowers will have dropped.  You can guess when I do my shopping!  ;D

[Derekthefox]

Yes, but some people do have more money than they know what to do with ...

Derekthefox :D

[jennym]

Things that make me cross are stuff like soppy white plastic plant labels - 25 for £2.20.
By the way, was in Tesco yesterday ('fraid so) and they had small packets of quite nice single variety bulbs. Original price £2.99 - £3.99 but reduced down to 74p. Bulbs like muscari and dwarf tulips. Wouldn't normally dream of buying them, but for 74p got a couple, I figure I may get them to flower if I hurry, but if they don't there's always next year!

[Palustris]

These are the same sorts of ones for which we paid 40 pence for last week?

[jennym]

And there was me thinking I'd got a bargain....

[Ceratonia]

Wyevale have been having quite a lot of financial trouble recently - in spite of the high prices. They're looking at closing a number of sites down and various takeover bids are/have been on the table. Unlike most retailers, they own most of the sites and it maybe the sites are worth more flogged off for development purposes than as not-very-profitable garden centres.

One of those places where you never pay the marked price -they always have some kind of token printed on the website or local newspaper or somewhere offering some discount or other.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Could that be because of the high prices?

[Derekthefox]

It is the high prices that deters me from using the garden centres, when I see silly pricing for low cost goods, eg many sundries. When I have to buy stuff, I normally use my local outlets.

Derekthefox

[Deeds]

I haven't been to Caerhays for many years; it's only a few miles from where my mother lives, so I ought to make the effort next time I'm down there.

I must say it's a fabulous garden, but it's pricey to extortionate now (the Eden factor I'm afraid) it's about £7.50 entrance fee now, and they were selling 3' Phorniums for £35 and a cream tea (1 small scone, jam and cream, all prepacked and a cup of tea) was £3.95 two years ago. I'd rather go to Pine Lodge, always masses to see there.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Eden is fabulous but a ripoff; I hated the food you could buy. I liked Heligan (virtually just down the road from my mother's) much better.

[Val]

Wyevale here is sometimes a bit cheaper than other nurseries or garden centres, so what does that say about this part of the world, even the markets are expensive. Thats why my garden is taking ages to mature, I have to buy the smallest, usually  the cheapest and try to split that up :( ..unless of course someone local knows different?..please...pretty please... ;)

[MattyJC]

Most of the garden centres round me in Oxfordshire are very expensive and are tending to cater for the more "trendy" gardener...ie loads of big instant plants and fancy/expensive gadgets and no veg! I do most of my shopping online now, although a potter round a centre still throws up a few bargins, Wyevale are doing large electric propagators for £25.99!

[Travman]

Of course if you really want fun then drive up the Motorway to Walsden near Halifax and go to Gordon Riggs.

I go a lot to Gordon Riggs . The house plants are very good,a wide choice and cheap!!
The veg and tomato plant prices are next to nothing.
Well recommended and its well worth a 75 mile round trip to me.