Is It Better to Buy Plants from a Nursery, Online Plant Shop or Garden Centre?

When buying plants, particularly hedging plants, trees or larger specimens, where you buy from can make a big difference to the quality, value and long-term success of your planting.

The three most common options are garden centres, plant nurseries and online plant shops. Each can be the right choice in different situations. A garden centre can be convenient if you want to choose something in person and take it home the same day. An online plant shop can be useful if you know what you want and need home delivery. A nursery is often the best option when plant quality, expert advice, quantity, size choice and value matter most.

This article compares the differences between buying from a nursery, an online plant shop and a garden centre, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. It also explains the key checks to make before buying, so you can choose healthy plants that are suitable for your garden, project and budget.

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 a more limited choice of sizes and quantities than a specialist nursery. They offer a broad range but may not specialise in any particular type of plant. Their selection is usually smaller, and some plants may spend longer in a retail environment, where watering, feeding and general care can vary.

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 rather than growing the plants themselves. These sellers may not be able to offer the same level of 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. 

For smaller purchases, seasonal plants, compost, tools and garden accessories, garden centres can be a convenient option because everything is available in one place.

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 selected sizes available. Due to limited stock, you’ll usually find that you’ll be paying a premium.

Additionally, plants may not always receive the same specialist care they would at a nursery, especially if they have been on display for a long time. When buying hedging plants or trees from a garden centre, it is worth checking the roots, foliage colour and overall condition carefully before purchasing.

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.

For hedging projects in particular, nurseries can often supply plants in consistent batches. This helps create a more even hedge, as the plants are more likely to be of a similar size, age and quality.

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.

Another point to consider is that nurseries may be more specialist than garden centres. This is an advantage if you know what you are looking for, but if you want to browse lots of unrelated garden products in one place, a garden centre may be more suitable.

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.

They can be particularly useful if you already know which plants you need, want to compare sizes and prices from home, or need delivery to your door. A good online plant shop should provide clear plant sizes, representative photos, delivery information and aftercare advice before you order.

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.

Because online plant shops vary so much, it is important to check who is behind the website. Look for signs that the seller understands the plants they are selling, such as clear growing information, realistic photos, delivery guidance, contact details and knowledgeable advice. Where possible, check whether the plants are grown by the seller or sourced from elsewhere.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Where to Buy Plants

Quality

The quality of your plants will have a significant impact on how well they establish and grow. Healthy plants should have strong root systems, good colour for the season, and balanced growth. For hedging plants, consistency is also important, as plants of a similar size and quality will usually establish more evenly.

Nurseries often have the advantage here because they are involved in growing and caring for the plants before sale. However, wherever you buy from, it is worth checking the overall condition of the plants and asking how they have been grown and cared for.

Expertise

Expert advice can make a big difference, particularly when choosing hedging plants, trees or plants for a particular site. The right supplier should be able to advise on soil type, planting position, growth rate, final height, spacing, watering and aftercare.

A specialist nursery will usually have detailed knowledge of the plants it grows and sells. This can be especially useful if you are planting a hedge, screening an area, choosing plants for difficult conditions, or buying in larger quantities.

Cost

Price is an important factor, but the cheapest plant is not always the best value. A stronger, healthier plant that establishes well can be better value than a cheaper plant that struggles after planting.

Nurseries can often offer competitive prices because they grow plants directly and reduce the number of middlemen involved. When comparing prices, check the plant size, pot size, root type, delivery cost and whether aftercare advice is included. Two plants with the same name may not be directly comparable if they are different sizes or grown in different ways.

Variety

The range of plants available will vary depending on where you buy. Garden centres usually offer a broad selection of plants and garden products, while specialist nurseries tend to focus more deeply on particular plant groups.

For hedging plants, a nursery will often be able to offer a wider choice of species, sizes and quantities. This can make it easier to match the right plant to your garden, soil, light conditions, desired height and budget.

Availability

Availability can be particularly important if you need a larger quantity of plants or want a specific size. Garden centres may only carry limited numbers of certain hedging plants, while nurseries often grow and hold larger batches.

Seasonality is also worth considering. Some plants are best bought and planted at certain times of year, and bare root hedging is usually only available during the dormant season. If you need plants for a project, it is worth checking availability early so that the right size and quantity can be reserved or ordered.

Guarantees and Aftercare

A guarantee can be reassuring, but it should not be the only sign of plant quality. It is better to buy healthy, well-grown plants from the start and follow the correct planting and aftercare advice.

Good aftercare advice should include when to plant, how to prepare the ground, how often to water, whether to use fertiliser, and what to expect while the plants are establishing. This advice is especially important for hedging plants and trees, where correct planting and watering can make a major difference to success.

Plant Buying Checklist

Before buying plants from a nursery, garden centre or online plant shop, it is worth checking the following points:

• Does the supplier clearly state the plant size, pot size or root type?
• Do the plants look healthy for the time of year?
• Is there clear information about where the plants have come from or how they have been grown?
• Are the photos representative of the plants you are likely to receive?
• Can the supplier explain the best planting position, spacing and aftercare?
• Are delivery costs, timings and handling details clearly explained?
• If you are buying hedging plants, can the supplier provide consistent sizes and quantities?
• Is aftercare advice available after purchase if you need it?

For hedging plants in particular, consistency, root quality and aftercare advice are just as important as the headline price. A cheaper plant is not always better value if it is smaller, weaker, poorly rooted or unsuitable for the planting position.

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.

By Will Mathias, Mathias Nurseries

Will Mathias is part of the family behind Mathias Nurseries, a third-generation nursery with over 60 years of growing experience. His advice is based on practical nursery knowledge, plant production experience and helping customers choose suitable hedging plants, trees and shrubs.