Plant personal shopping
6 May 2026
Something I hear often from my gardening clients is that they fear the garden centre. They go one sunny bank holiday and then freeze: they don’t quite know what they’re looking for so panic-buy, and end up getting things home that either don’t thrive or die entirely. Then, their confidence is lost so they end up giving up.
This is completely understandable - garden centres and nurseries can be really overwhelming, particularly if you don’t feel confident about what works in your garden. The marketing at some of the bigger garden centres can be wild - big brash displays of something that is in flower that week, showcased in huge tiered planting. It’s happened to me: you end up drawn to this huge display and think “I must have one of these”, and get it home for it to look slightly lacklustre on its own, and then finish flowering a week later.
It’s a bit like being drawn in by clothing displays where a rainbow-palette of the exact same item looks amazing in the shop so you pick one - let’s say the teal version - and when you get it home you realise it’s just a teal vest, and without its many-coloured companions, looks a bit flat on its own. You end up wearing it under things, or relegating it to a “bed top”.
Some of the more commercially-focused garden centres know how to market exactly what looks great that week. But knowing its longevity, or where it’s best suited in your garden, is another matter. I also have good relationships with some excellent nurseries where I know they prioritise quality. When I do ‘plant personal shopping’ sessions with clients, I aim to take away the panic, and provide helpful advice. If they pick up a Mediterranean plant but what they need it for is a shady, north-facing garden, I can gently advise against - or perhaps suggest it goes in the front instead, in a pot by the sunny front door.
I understand it, but a lot of clients are drawn like moths to a flame towards bright and cheery bedding plants. They’re so colourful and fun looking! But what a lot of people don’t realise is, they’re annuals so have a single season, then they’re done. This is fine if you know this, but many times I have seen clients plant these in only to have a flat, bare patch of soil for the other three quarters of the year. I can suggest evergreens for year-round interest, perennials to come back each year, bulbs to pop up when you’re least expecting them - and yes, perhaps some annuals if you really love them (Don’t get me wrong some one-season plants, such as cosmos, bring me a lot of joy - they just need planting among other things).
I have a particular bugbear about certain supermarkets stocking bougainvillea and citrus trees. They will not work in UK gardens - it’s simply too cold! I can’t tell you how many clients text me from holiday, showing me gorgeous purple blooms of bougainvillea groaning over the side of whitewashed walls, saying “Can I have this??” - it just don’t work outside in this climate. Perhaps in a pot that you bring indoors when it’s chilly, but it won’t be able to be the huge climber you see on holiday. Inside a conservatory, yes. Otherwise, that and your lemon tree of dreams will have to go on the shopping list once you buy that tumbledown farm in Italy. Many clients buy these from the supermarket, watch them die, and think it’s their fault. Rant over.
Something else I advise on these personal shopping trips is: do the plants look good together in the trolley (or trolleys depending on budget)? If they do - wonderful. If they don’t - perhaps we need to think more about what kind of scheme you’re going for. I also guide on numbers - if you love that particular type of ornamental grass for your border? Buy three. Things always work best in threes or fives. A ‘one of each’ border can look disjointed and not cohesive. We want to ‘lead the eye’ through the garden, and repeat planting is an excellent way to do this.
If you would like to find out more about this service, and perhaps book a session, do get in touch via my contact page.