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I was just looking at their special offers:
http://www.guardiangardencentre.co.uk/Index.cfm?fuseaction=category.specialoffers

and I was about to order the following, but stopped myself in the nick of time - good prices but I can't justify it. I don't even know where I'd put them. Those peacock tiger flowers look gorgeous, though! And the spiraxis! They look like they'd be good as cut flowers, too, which is something I do want to find space for.

Does anyone have recommendations for shops that have a good range for these kinds of flowers? I could probably do with much smaller numbers than these (i.e. 50 or even 25 is a bit much.) I've been avoiding garden centres for temptation reasons, but I'll have to brave one eventually. :)

Peacock Tiger Flowers (Tigridia Pavonia) (Pack of 25)
Single Fragrant Freesias Mixed (Pack of 25)       £2.45
Sparaxis (Harlequin Flowers) (Pack of 50)       £3.95
Verbena Bonariensis (Pack of 6)                   £4.45
6 Perennials in Blue and White Shades (Pack of 6)    £1.75
Fragrant Jasmine Clotted Cream (Pack of 3)       £1.95
12 Cascading Begonias (Pack of 12)    1    FREE   
     Sub Total    £17.50
     P&P    £3.95
     Total Cost    £21.45

Is there anyone who you could share them with? That way you get the decent price but don't have to find space for them all

Most plants will make cuttings

One year I bought an assortment of plugs, which were a fraction of the price of large ones. I grew them on in bigger pots and then took cuttings. Amazingly the cuttings caught up with the  mother plant quite quickly and provided me with a good selection.

Fuchsias and geraniums are fairly simple. I am sorry to say that I am terrible with names and those are the only two I can remember off hand.

I think that gardening is more about 'do it yourself' than getting a ready made selection. Far more fun too.

Thanks PurpleHeather, that's the kind of pep-talk I need to keep from 'treating' myself! It was a moment of weakness! :D

I've accumulated loads of cuttings and baby plantlets up till now: sedum, geranium, buddleia, penstemon, red valerian, mint, thyme, winter jasmine, and some others. I had a few losses over the winter but they're mostly doing well. Unfortunately I don't know many gardeners these days, whose gardens I can raid! Though, I visited a friend yesterday who is about to move house. His garden is a bit neglected but has some well-established plants that definitely 'need' a bit of thinning! :D 

I think I'll give this site a go for some flower seed swaps, too:
http://www.gardenswapshop.co.uk/

anyone tried it?

No, but looks interesting, might just be tempted to give it a go!

Ah well, I did treat myself, but much more frugally. Someone mentioned moreveg.co.uk earlier, and I've ordered a bunch of stuff from there. It's actually a bit tricky, as they're lacking links to flowers D-L and flowers M-Z, but if you go into 'Search', and then add one of those from the categories menu - and then leave the search field blank - you can get there. So I ordered seeds for verbena bonariensis and some other things I wanted - which should prevent me from splashing out on them in pots, if I do accidentally wander into a garden centre. :)

You can't go wrong with Tigridia.  They are stunning and 25 will fill a medium size tub and give delight for weeks or plant them in a fairly sunny border in a large group.  They are lovely.  Enjoy !!

Quote from: PurpleHeather on March 13, 2009, 08:29:07
I think that gardening is more about 'do it yourself' than getting a ready made selection. Far more fun too.

You're so right, I need reminding of that too, thank you.

Sharing and swapping builds friendships as well, and every plant reminds you of a holiday or a conversation with a neighbour or visit to your mum.

...whereas shop-bought plants remind you of money worries!  ;D

my mum commented recently people don't have houseplants anymore. she said in the 50s and 60s housewives used to bond over swapping cuttings. i thought that was interesting.

Some veg mixed with flowers give a great folliage and you get your added bonus too

Beetroot, fennel, carrot.

Not too many, just a pinch of seeds scattered.

I hate to bits those front gardens which are:- manicured lawns with weedless boarders, a  little plant exactly two from the next and a rose bush in a little circle in the middle.

Zigzig, I completely agree. I prefer flower borders where you can't see the ground at all. :)