Allotments 4 All

Can I ask you all a favour? I found this website, and was wondering whether the prices were ok. I have never bought bulbs before-my flatmate usually beats me to it, but this year, I want to, and I think it should be done sooner rather than later so I can get them in the ground.

Anyway, website:

http://www.jparkers.co.uk/index.cfm

Thanks y'all! :)

Parkers prices a comparable with most of the mail order bulb suppliers that we get catalogues from. However we think the prices of all of these outlets are high. You not only have to add package and posting on top, they also add it to the bulbs as well.
You would do far better if you could go to a Garden Centre for your bulbs. If possible visit a few as there is considerable variation in prices at these too, even for bulbs from the same wholesale company!

Thanks. I am going to try and get out to a couple at the weekend. I am desperate for bluebells. They are one of my faves.

Some friends of mine bought bulbs from these people last year and although the prices were Ok the quality wasn't. 75% of what they received were mouldy.

Ok they got their money back, but is that really the point?

OOOoooo now that's interesting....maybe I'll go elsewhere....they have lovely pics on their site though...

I had the same poor experience as Deeds friends, don't order them to be posted. Go see them at the garden centre, and pick good large bulbs.

Brian

BG - you probably know this already, but I have to say...

Make sure you buy English bluebells and NOT the spanish/hispanic ones. These hybridise with our native ones and are wiping them out in some areas.

I love bluebells too!

I am deffo going to get natives, I just have to find 'em. Do they have a botanical name???

bananagirl the latin name for the English Bluebell is Hyacinthoides non-scripta but make sure you get them from a reliable supplier - it's worth paying a little extra to get these as bluebells are terrible flirts and hybridise with those big spanish thugs at every opportunity ;)

some people say that they perform better when planted 'in the green' like snowdrops, but i don't know if that's true, plus you'd pay 4 times the price in spring.

My gran dug me up a lot of bluebell bulbs (not in green) from her garden. I planted them and they've grown really well. I think the trick is to make sure the bulbs are fresh - same with snowdrops - it's when they dry out that you get teh problems.

Thanks Chloe, I'll keep a look out for them.

BG, I'm about to order some English Bluebells from this lot:

http://www.gardensupplydirect.co.uk/?op=catalogue-products-null&prodCategoryID=165

I've had dealings with them before, both via ebay and direct, and I can recommend their products.