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.

Cornus

This diverse and ornamental genus presents opportunities for retailers as well as landscapers, writes Sally Drury.

7 January 2021 , By Sally Drury

Malus

An abundance of spring blossom ensures flowering crab apple trees’ reputation as jewels of the landscape, notes Sally Drury.

Malus domestica

Apple trees’ wide variety of fruit and splendid flower displays should appeal to new gardeners, Sally Drury suggests.

Late-flowering Clematis

With stunning displays lasting until late autumn, now is an ideal time to promote these colourful gems, Sally Drury advises.

Dwarf Narcissus

These well-loved flowers can help to sustain passion for growing that built up during lockdown, Sally Drury suggests.

Colchicum

These autumn wonders produce colourful flowers that make for a sensational display, says Sally Drury.

Hebe

These plants are enjoyed for their dense spikes, panicles or racemes of flowers and for their foliage, writes Sally Drury.

Dianthus

A impressive variety of shapes and shades makes these plants popular in the garden as well as for floristry, writes Sally Drury.

Zonal pelargoniums

These essential plants for a showstopping border or container bear vibrant flowers all through summer, writes Sally Drury.

Alstroemeria

These exotic flowers are easy to grow and produce dazzling displays in borders and patio containers, writes Sally Drury.

Summer-flowering bulbs

September-to-October is an accepted part of the gardening year for bulb planting, and many of these are for the heralds of spring — the crocus, the narcissi or the tulip.

Heuchera

Year-round colour and neat clumps of foliage make these perennials very marketable, says Miranda Kimberley.

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are beautiful shrubs that grace many gardens in the UK. They are easy to grow and can provide a variety of flower head shapes and colours.

Spathiphyllum

The air-purifying ability of the peace lily has been widely marketed to generate more sales, Miranda Kimberley reports.

Carex

Evergreen grasses and sedges provide year-round structure and move with the wind, Miranda Kimberley writes.

Disporum

These elegant woodland plants produce leafy green stems and bell-shaped flowers, says Miranda Kimberley.

Tradescantia

These unfussy plants offer a welcome splash of colour in the garden or as a houseplant, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Trollius

With their papery blooms, these popular perennials are a welcome addition to borders, says Miranda Kimberley.

Rodgersia

These versatile plants are described as 'bombproof' and 'wonderfully unfussy', Miranda Kimberley finds.

Market Grower/Gardener
Sharnfold Farm South East England
General Manager
Smiths Garden Centre Uxbridge, London (Greater)
Landscape Supervisor
TAW Garden Landscapes Ltd Camberley, Surrey
Experienced Landscaper
Best of British Gardens North Devon
Plant Nursery Assistant Manager
Holden Clough Nursery Bolton by Bowland, Clitheroe

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Verbascum

Fantastic spikes of flowers bring height, structure and colour to the garden border, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Agapanthus

These exotic plants are easy to grow and a great addition to any garden in pots, beds or borders, says Miranda Kimberley.

Potentilla

These easy-to-grow plants provide a vibrant set of flower colours from hots to pastels, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Nemesia

With their bright blooms and nice petals these plants look like a bedding version of orchids, says Miranda Kimberley.

Senecio

This diverse genus offers varieties that work well inside as well as outdoors in many sizes, says Miranda Kimberley.

Anemone

These uncomplicated plants produce beautiful flowers for most of the growing season, says Miranda Kimberley.

Helleborus

Customers keep coming back for these strong plants that offer colour when it is most needed, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Gaura

These robust plants can repeat flower from April to October and nice foliage adds interest, says Miranda Kimberley.

Aster

Brightening up gardens in autumn, these daisies are seen as a gem in the gardener's arsenal, writes Miranda Kimberley.

Astrantia

Customers can be confident that these hardy, easy-to-grow plants will return the following year, Miranda Kimberley finds.

Maianthemum

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

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