Retail plants

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.

Maianthemum

Showy spikes, lush leaves and sweet scent all help to sell these appealing plants, writes Miranda Kimberley.

12 June 2018 , By Miranda Kimberley

Kniphofia

These useful plants are persistent, need little attention and offer striking colour combinations, says Miranda Kimberley.

Paeonia

Stocking a wide range of these impressive flowers from early March until June can boost sales, Miranda Kimberley reports.

Narcissus

The range of colours and flowering times makes for cheerful and economic displays, Miranda Kimberley reports.

Papaver

These compact, brightly coloured flowers can be very attractive for impulse sales, notes Miranda Kimberley.

Zantedeschia

These elegant plants feature a variety of striking flower shapes in a range of colours, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Colocasia

These dramatic tropical plants can be a food source but make great ornamental garden plants, notes Miranda Kimberley

Climbing roses

Walls, trellises, pergolas and even trees can all be brightened up by these beautiful blooms, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Sisyrinchium

This huge but slightly odd genus offers multiple choices for the rock garden or alpine house, says Miranda Kimberley.

Scaevola

This brilliant summer bedding plant has fan-shaped flowers that give it an elegant look, says Miranda Kimberley.

Arboretum Grounds and Gardens Team Leader
The Royal British Legion London (Central), London (Greater)
Lecturer - Horticulture
Sparsholt College Hampshire Sparsholt, Winchester
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Charterhouse Godalming, Surrey
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Slough Borough Council Slough
Head Gardener
Tulchan Sporting Estate Speyside

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Hedging - what are the alternatives to box?

With box blight and box tree moth both posing problems, Miranda Kimberley looks at alternative planting choices.

Tiarella

Pretty flowers and striking leaves are behind the rising appeal of the foam flower, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Berkheya

These long-flowering thistle-like daisies are well worth a go for consistent interest in the border, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Brunnera

These perennials offer fantastic foliage and beautiful sprays of flowers in the springtime, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Fritillaria

These true bulbs can lend height to a border and bring drama to a spring garden, Miranda Kimberley finds.

Nicotiana

Very popular among experienced gardeners, these plants often give off a sweet fragrance, says Miranda Kimberley.

Kalmia

Beautiful flowers and striking buds make these little-known evergreen shrubs well worth a try, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Eryngium

This florist's favourite offers interesting foliage and alluring flowers in a range of colours, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Hippeastrum

These perfect pot plants for Christmas can be brought back into flower year after year, Miranda Kimberley explains.

Maranta

This staple of the indoor plant market in garden centres is renowned for its attractive leaves, says Miranda Kimberley.

Dracaena

These popular plants for the house or office have attractive foliage and are easy to cultivate, says Miranda Kimberley.

Persicaria

These excellent plants for the garden are long-flowering, vigorous and good for ground cover, says Miranda Kimberley.

Peperomia

This huge genus offers a wide range of interesting foliage, does well indoors and is easy to grow, says Miranda Kimberley.

Coreopsis

An extended flowering season, luminous colours and robust stems all contribute to outstanding displays, says Kevin Line.

Ranunculus

Plants in this genus range from our native lesser celandine to the frost-tender R. asiaticus. Miranda Kimberley reports

Leucojum

Snowflakes feature dainty white nodding flowers similar to those of snowdrops but are taller and look more robust, says Miranda Kimberley.

Indoor palms

These iconic trees are some of the best pot plants for indoor cultivation, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Eremurus

With their unusual tall flower spikes the desert candles and foxtail lilies can be a sight to behold, says Miranda Kimberley.

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