Breadcrumbs
Retail Plant Focus
A guide to species and cultivars of popular plants for retail in garden centres, with supplier's tips on how to use and sell them.
Eranthis
27 January 2012These cheery yellow flowers look good in a border, in pots or in grass, says Miranda Kimberley.
Plant Focus - Carnivorous plants
09 December 2011These ornamentals have wide appeal despite complex cultivation regimes, says Miranda Kimberley.
Agave
18 November 2011These spiky, evergreen rosettes add eye-catching structural form, says Miranda Kimberley.
Apples
16 September 2011Apples are among the most rewarding fruits to grow at home, says Miranda Kimberley.
Verbena
05 August 2011Both as bedding and a perennial this plant is a good doer in the garden, says Miranda Kimberley.
Mandevilla
15 July 2011These exotic climbers need the right siting and care if they are to flourish, says Miranda Kimberley.
Zonal pelargonium
24 June 2011These vivid flowering plants add summer interest to beds, baskets and patio pots, says Bethan Norris.
Begonia Rex
03 June 2011Get the watering right and these plants make a colourful addition to any home, says Miranda Kimberley.
Abutilon
13 May 2011A long flowering period rewards cultivation of this plant if offered protection, says Miranda Kimberley.
Trillium
06 May 2011This beautifully-formed plant is perfect for shady woodland or shrub borders, says Miranda Kimberley.
Grevillea
21 April 2011These exotic plants add flashes of brilliance to gardens and conservatories, says Miranda Kimberley.
Chillies
01 April 2011These hot, colourful plants do surprisingly well in British gardens, says Miranda Kimberley.
Primula
11 March 2011Although popular as colourful bedding plants, there is much more to this genus, says Miranda Kimberley.
Aeonium
18 February 2011Succulent rosettes, spiky yellow blooms and minimum fuss characterise this genus, says Miranda Kimberley.
Galanthus
28 January 2011From woodlands to borders, these elegant heralds of spring inspire deep affection, says Miranda Kimberley.
Helleborus niger
17 December 2010This beautiful 'Christmas rose' is hard to establish and needs well prepared soil, writes Miranda Kimberley.
Aloe
26 November 2010The genus best known for medicinal purposes also produces attractive ornamentals, says Miranda Kimberley.
Erythronium
05 November 2010This elegant bulb is easy to grow and favours cool, shaded growing conditions, says Miranda Kimberley.
Conifers
15 October 2010Let's champion these evergreen trees that can be majestic and novel in the garden, says Miranda Kimberley.
Vitex
24 September 2010These deciduous shrubs can provide beautiful late summer colour in the garden, says Miranda Kimberley.
Ceratostigma
03 September 2010This vibrant shrub provides unusual late-summer colour and rich autumnal foliage, says Miranda Kimberley.
Tricyrtis
13 August 2010Exotic and eye-catching, Tricyrtis provide late season interest for tricky spots, says Miranda Kimberley.
Hibiscus
23 July 2010The genus varies from hardy to delicate plants, which attracts a range of customers, says Miranda Kimberley.
Cosmos
02 July 2010Annual and perennial Cosmos have a short shelf life but a high turnover, Miranda Kimberley finds.
Argyranthemum
11 June 2010These half-hardy plants will brighten up summer borders and patios, says Miranda Kimberley.
Dahlias
21 May 2010These fabulous brightly-coloured plants enjoy a long retail season, says Miranda Kimberley.
Lobelia
30 April 2010These delicate blooms provide long-lasting summer bedding and much else besides, says Miranda Kimberley.
Ferns
09 April 2010These forgiving foliage plants offer lasting colour and texture indoors and out, says Miranda Kimberley.
Saxifraga
19 March 2010With their subtle beauty, these diminutive alpines are due a revival, says Miranda Kimberley.
Erysimum
26 February 2010Wallflowers are a harbinger of spring and provide a familiar sweet scent, says Miranda Kimberley.
Shrubby Lonicera
12 February 2010There are honeysuckles for winter fragrance no matter how cold it gets, says Miranda Kimberley.
Potatoes
05 February 2010No grow-your-own offer is complete without spuds and the range is inspiring, says Miranda Kimberley.
Orchids
15 January 2010There are varieties of these eye-catching house plants for all levels of experience, says Jim Handley.
Bromeliads
04 December 2009These diverse and exotic houseplants make ideal gifts, says Miranda Kimberley.
Poinsettia
23 October 2009This Christmas stalwart may not be everybody's favourite but is sure to sell well
Fuchsia
31 July 2009Colourful and disease-resistant, this genus is an ideal choice for baskets and borders
Agapanthus
19 June 2009These spectacular flowers create an instant impact, encouraging impulse purchases
Helenium
29 May 2009These border plants give great colour in the late summer but should be divided in spring
Tree Paeonia
17 April 2009These hardy shrubs with colourful flowers may be on the brink of a revival in popularity, writes Bethan Norris
Bonsai
27 March 2009Miniature trees make a fascinating hobby and linked sales will encourage people to return.
Tomatoes
06 March 2009A long-standing favourite with consumers, this fruit can be surprisingly easy to grow, says Kris Collins.
Potted daffodils
13 February 2009These popular plants mark the start of spring and are a Mother's Day favourite, writes Kris Collins.
Spathiphyllum
23 January 2009This genus is an ever-popular consumer choice and can revive flagging houseplant sales, says Kris Collins.
Plums
19 December 2008Plum trees will grow well in most parts of the UK and are ideal for those new to fruit growing.
Heuchera
28 November 2008These hardy perennials offer year-round interest with a range of attractive colours, writes Gavin McEwan.
Gentiana
07 November 2008Species-rich gentians bloom from late spring but really come into their own in autumn, says Graham Clarke.
Rudbeckia
24 October 2008As prairie-planting schemes become more popular, this genus looks set for a comeback, writes Sally Nex.
Tradescantia
09 October 2008Trandescantias are unfussy plants that grow almost anywhere and provide vibrant colour in summer, writes Bethan Norris.
Calibrachoa
25 September 2008Free-flowering and weather tolerant, this genus is ideal for baskets and containers, says Graham Clarke.
Petunia
11 September 2008With an expanding range of varieties, this bedding staple offers something for everyone, writes Sally Nex.
Eupatorium
21 August 2008This disease-resistant, summer-flowering genus is great for adding colour and structure, says Graham Clarke.
Prehistoric plants
15 August 2008Striking and often easy to grow, ancient plants have caught the public’s imagination.
Nepeta
31 July 2008Versatile, low-maintenance catnip brightens any summer garden either as a bedding plant or in containers, writes Bethan Norris.
Hemerocallis
03 July 2008Although each flower is short lived, some plants can supply an exceptionally long season of colour, says Sally Nex.
Kalmia
19 June 2008Now is the perfect time of year to entice customers with the striking blooms of these evergreen shrubs.
Zantedeschia
05 June 2008As temperatures increase, these dramatic subtropical plants could become more popular outdoors in the UK.
Philadelphus
15 May 2008Their heavily scented flowers make these low-maintenance plants a popular choice with gardeners, says Bethan Norris.
Magnolia
24 April 2008With its flamboyant blooms and increasing range of colours, this tree creates an impact wherever it is planted, says Sally Nex.
Camellia
03 April 2008Its large variety of flower shapes and big, showy blooms make this genus an early-season favourite.
Chamaecyparis
21 February 2008The extent of sizes, shapes and colours in this genus means there is something for everyone
Edible pears
07 February 2008Retailers should promote the benefits of these pears, such as hardiness and sweet fruit.
Dracaena
24 January 2008The striking forms and colours of this low-maintenance genus have made it popular as an indoor plant, writes Kris Collins.
Ilex
06 December 2007At this time of year, hollies become particularly popular with garden centre customers.
Lirope
01 November 2007These hardy, late-flowering plans will grow well in shade and drought conditions.
Echinacea
18 October 2007Eye-catching coneflowers add colour to the autumnal garden and provide late-season sales appeal.
Sutera (Bacopa)
23 August 2007An ideal hanging basket plant, these colourful flowers dazzle with their abundant blooms.
Tanacetum
05 July 2007Reliable and vigorously flowering with attractive foliage, tansies thrive in a range of conditions.
Cytisus
24 May 2007This genus produces large, bold blooms and readily accepts most types of garden soil.
Calendula
03 May 2007Well-known for their medicinal properties and colourful flowers, marigolds are popular plants with much to offer.
Hyacinthus
22 March 2007Hyacinths’ highly fragrant, colourful flowers make them a firm favourite with customers.
Artemisa
08 March 2007This genus boasts attractive foliage and drought tolerance, making it increasingly popular.
Peperomia
15 February 2007These diverse, attractive, low-maintenance plants are due for a revival in garden centres.
Additional Information
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- Trainee Gardener Chelsea Physic Garden £13,660, London
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In This Issue
NEWS: Senior parks staff exodus sparks alarm across capital
RETAIL: Garden centres look to supermarkets
MARKET REPORT: Ride-on mowers
INTERVIEW: Cruickshank Botanic Garden curator Mark Paterson
EDIBLES: Brassica conference news round-up
Latest Tenders
Contract for the Supply of Horticultural Machinery & Equipment
Sunderland City Council
CONTRACTS FOR THE SUPPLY OF PARKS
MAINTENANCE AND TREES MAINTENANCE
Wandsworth Borough Council
