Is It Better to Buy Plants from a Nursery, Online Plant Shop or Garden Centre?
When it comes to buying plants, you have several options: a nursery, an online plant shop, or a garden centre. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on your specific needs. Let’s explore the key differences and what to consider when deciding where to purchase your plants.
What Are the Differences?
Garden Centres
A garden centre is a one-stop shop for everything related to gardening. You’ll find plants, trees, garden furniture, barbecues, and decorative items. Many people visit garden centres as a leisure activity, browsing a wide variety of plants and products.
However, when it comes to hedging plants and trees, garden centres often have limited stock. They offer a broad range but may not specialise in any particular type of plant. Their selection is usually smaller, and the plants may not be in peak condition due to prolonged exposure to store conditions.
Nurseries
Nurseries are where plants are grown and cultivated. They are run by experts who understand the plants intimately and manage their care from seedling to sale. When you buy from a nursery, you’re purchasing directly from the grower, cutting out the middleman.
Nurseries typically offer a higher quality product because they have full control over the plant’s growth and health. They also tend to be more cost-effective, as you’re not paying retail markups. If you need large quantities of plants for a project, a nursery is often the best option since they have greater stock availability.
Some plant nurseries are strictly wholesale and only supply businesses, while others, like ours at Mathias Nurseries, sell directly to the public at highly competitive prices due to economies of scale of production.
Online Plant Shops
Online plant shops vary widely. Some are extensions of garden centres, while others are run by traders who buy stock in bulk and resell it without necessarily having deep knowledge of the plants. These sellers may not be able to offer expert advice, and their plants might not always be of the highest quality.
That said, some online plant shops are linked to nurseries and provide both expert guidance and good value. If you’re buying online, it’s essential to check the reputation of the seller, ask about plant origins, and verify that the photos on their website are representative of what you’ll actually receive.
Here at Mathias Nurseries, we are first and foremost a nursery concentrating on producing high quality stock but with an online plant shop, Hedges Online can reach a wider audience of customers.
The Pros & Cons of Each Option
The Advantages of Garden Centres
Garden centres offer the benefit of immediate purchase and a wide selection of garden items. The shopping experience is simple and you can turn up, choose from available items, pop them in your shopping trolley, checkout and off you go.
Another advantage is that some garden centres will offer a guarantee on their plants. This is because they will usually be making significant profit from this type of product with a much higher margin together with the opportunity of selling you plenty of ‘extras’ with equally high profit margins.
The Disadvantages of Garden Centres
Whilst garden centres are popular due to the quick and easy shopping experience they provide, you will find that the stock is often limited – particularly when it comes to hedging with only limited quantities of only one size available. Due to limited stock, you’ll usually find that you’ll be paying a premium. Additionally, plants are often not well cared for due to store conditions, therefore look a little sad, under fertilised, pale and starved – despite the higher price point.
The Advantages of a Nursery
One of the biggest advantages of buying from a nursery is the assurance of quality. Since nurseries cultivate their own plants, they have a vested interest in ensuring they are strong, healthy and suited for successful transportation. The expertise of nursery staff is invaluable, particularly if you need guidance on plant care, soil conditions or the best species for your specific environment. Unlike garden centres or some online retailers, nurseries prioritise plant health over presentation, meaning you’re more likely to get robust, well-rooted specimens that will thrive when planted out in your garden.
Additionally, plant nurseries offer a wider selection of sizes and stages of growth, allowing you to choose between younger smaller specimens for long-term growth or more mature instant sizes for immediate impact.
The Disadvantages of a Nursery
Some nurseries are wholesale only, meaning they will only supply garden centres or other retail outlets. Therefore, if you’re looking for a nursery, ensure it is one that is happy to deal with everyone – both domestic and trade.
In addition, some nurseries will require in-person pickup, so be sure to review delivery details before purchasing. Here at Mathias Nurseries, we ship nationwide so delivery is normally not a problem wherever you are based.
The Advantages of Online Plant Shops
Online plant shops offer convenience and are usually cheaper than garden centres. In some instances they are affiliated to a nursery or have their own, like us.
The Disadvantages of Online Plant Shops
In most cases, online plant shops will be run by traders and therefore, they won’t necessarily know their plants as intimately as a nursery would. They will tend to sell what they have, so you’re unlikely to get so much expertise or flexibility from them on what it is that you are actually after. Many online plant shops are simply importers of foreign plants rather than producing the plants themselves.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Where to Buy Plants
1. Plant Quality – Ask if the seller has personally seen the stock and can vouch for its health and quality. Buying from a nursery usually ensures a well-maintained, healthy plant.
2. Expertise & Advice – If you need guidance on what will thrive in your garden, a nursery is your best bet. Many online sellers and garden centres lack deep knowledge about plant care and suitability.
3. Cost – Nurseries and some online shops generally offer the best prices because they cut out the middleman. Garden centres tend to be the most expensive option.
4. Availability – If you need large quantities or specific plant sizes, a nursery is the most reliable source. Garden centres usually stock limited numbers, and online shops may have long lead times if they don’t hold inventory themselves.
5. Aftercare & Guarantees – Some garden centres offer plant guarantees, but this is often because their plants are not as healthy to begin with and their higher prices help to cover the cost of the guarantee. A well-grown plant from a nursery should not need a guarantee at all.
6. Delivery Options – If you’re buying large trees or hedging plants, check whether delivery is available. Some nurseries require in-person pickup, while many online shops offer home delivery.
Making the Right Choice for Your Outdoor Space
Choosing where to buy your plants depends on your needs. If you want expert advice, healthy plants, and the best value, a nursery is the way to go. If convenience is your priority, an online plant shop may suit you—just be sure to research the seller first. And if you prefer to see and select your plants in person, a garden centre can be a good option, but expect to pay more for potentially lower-quality stock. Many nurseries, such as ourselves, will allow customers to come and view stock before purchase (usually by appointment) to ensure that you are happy with what you are going to be buying.
By considering quality, expertise, cost, availability, and reputation, you can make an informed decision and ensure your plants thrive in your garden for years to come.
Rely on Mathias Nurseries for Your Hedging Needs
Mathias Nurseries are a third-generation, family run nursery specialising in large scale production of hedging plants at highly competitive rates with a nationwide delivery service direct from the nursery. Knowledge built up over 60 years of growing will guide you effectively in meeting your hedging needs coupled with a level of service that runs deep in the core values of a family business. Browse our extensive range of plants today or get in touch for tailored advice and guidance.