{"id":43320,"date":"2024-12-24T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/1b80253c-ab4d-43c1-bfa4-27e88b4fbeae"},"modified":"2024-12-24T08:32:37","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T07:32:37","slug":"the-uks-best-selling-garden-plants-nurseries-reveal-the-plants-everyone-wants-in-their-garden-and-why","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/the-uks-best-selling-garden-plants-nurseries-reveal-the-plants-everyone-wants-in-their-garden-and-why\/","title":{"rendered":"The UK’s best-selling garden plants: nurseries reveal the plants everyone wants in their garden and why"},"content":{"rendered":"

Discover the plants that most people are buying from nurseries and the reasons why they are so great <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 24 December 2024 at 07:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Monty Don<\/a> told us recently that UK gardeners are like ‘billionaires’ when we go shopping at a nursery or garden centre – thanks to our temperate climate and soil conditions, we are able to choose from an extremely wide range of plants for our gardens. But which plants do we actually buy from the huge number of plants available? We asked some of the UK’s top plant suppliers to tell us about their bestselling plants, and their answers may surprise you.<\/p>

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Thompson & Morgan<\/strong><\/p>
Begonia ‘Apricot Shades Improved’ \u00a9 Thompson & Morgan <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
“Tuberous <\/em>begonia \u2018Apricot Shades Improved\u2019 has been T&M\u2019s best-seller\u00a0for over a decade. In the past five years alone, the company has sold over eight million plants,” says Kris Collins, Head of Quality at Thomson & Morgan.<\/p>
He explains: “It is a hard-working summer performer. It requires minimal upkeep to get amazing results. It\u2019s a perfect hanging basket or patio plant, which thrives in all weathers in both sun and shade \u2013 its blooms seemingly glow in shady\u00a0 corners. Its cascading habit produces an abundance of flower for vibrant fiery colour from late spring to late autumn, with each fully double bloom reaching up to 10cm across. Over the years T&M has tweaked the colour mix to ensure a broader palette of apricot to orange hues and 50% more vibrant picotee edges.”<\/p>
T&M offers Begonia \u2018Apricot Shades Improved\u2019 as seed, plug plants, tubers and pre-planted baskets that are delivered ready to hang.<\/p>
Buy from Thompson & <\/a>Morgan<\/a><\/p>
Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants<\/strong><\/p>
Bestseller:<\/strong> Geum<\/em>\u00a0Scarlet Tempest\u00a0(‘Macgeu001’^{PBR<\/sup>) (Tempest Series)<\/strong><\/p>}
$\"Geum$ Geum ‘Scarlet Tempest’ \u00a9 Hardy’s Cottage Garden Flowers – Geum ‘Scarlet Tempest’ \u00a9 Hardy’s Cottage Garden Flowers <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
“Geum<\/a><\/em>\u00a0Scarlet Tempest\u00a0(‘Macgeu001’^{PBR<\/sup>) (Tempest Series) has been a consistent Top 5 seller at Hardy\u2019s Cottage Garden Plants; we sell around 500 plants per year of this variety,” says Rosy Hardy.\u00a0“It is a brightly coloured, repeat blooming, long-season plant. It will start flowering in early spring and will still be in flower into the early winter. Of medium size, it is very useful for the front of a border.\u00a0Very versatile, it can be grown in various soil types and conditions, coping with the ever-changing weather that we are getting, including very wet conditions. It also grows incredibly well in a container. With just a little bit of deadheading, but even without, it will be continually in flower.\u00a0A very good UK-bred perennial, introduced by Elizabeth McGregor. There are other Tempest varieties, all of which are excellent.”}Buy from Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants<\/a><\/p>
Sarah Raven<\/strong><\/p>
Bestsellers: dahlias<\/strong><\/p>
$\"Dahlia$ Dahlia ‘Lou Farman’ \u00a9 Jonathan Buckley <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
Our dahlia sales have grown over the past five years, with our exclusive varieties such as \u2018Molly Raven\u2019<\/a>, \u2018Lou Farman\u2019<\/a>, \u2018Sarah Raven\u2019<\/a>, \u2018Perch Hill\u2019<\/a>, and \u2018Adam\u2019s Choice\u2019<\/a> performing particularly well,” says Sarah.<\/p>
\u201cDahlias are popular because they show up late in the year when many other plants have died back. Customers like how dahlias flower reliably up until the first frost, providing extra months of colour and blooms. My annual visits to trial fields mean we have the most beautiful and reliable varieties to offer.\u201d Buy dahlias from Sarah Raven<\/a><\/p>
Crocus<\/strong><\/p>
Bestsellers: Veronicastrum<\/em> virginicum<\/em> Fascination<\/a><\/strong>, Hydrangea paniculata Vanille Fraise (‘Renhy’) <\/a>(PBR) and Calamagrostis \u00d7 acutiflora Karl Foerster (AGM)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>
$\"Veronicastrum$
Veronicastrum virginicum Fascination \u00a9 Crocus <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
“This Veronicastrum<\/a><\/em> has long spikes of small rich lilac flowers, a top of slender spikes, very much an upright back of border perennial, creating a stunning backdrop for your garden from mid summer through into autumn,” says the nursery.<\/p>
$\"Hydrangea$
Hydrangea paniculata Vanille Fraise (Renhy) \u00a9 Crocus <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
“A beautiful French bred hydrangea<\/a> with its fluffy, lax, pyramid like flower panicles of creamy-white, that turn to shades of pink as the summer progresses, before finally taking on rich pink red russet tones in autumn.”<\/p>
$\"Calamagrostis$
Calamagrostis \u00d7 acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ \u00a9 Crocus <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
“Architectural mounds of green foliage set off by vertical\u00a0flower stems of soft pink flower heads in mid-summer.\u00a0 One of the\u00a0first tall grasses to flower!\u00a0 <\/a>Perfect for a feathery screen or planted near buildings to create neight and definition in the border.”<\/p>
Jekka’s Herb Farm <\/strong><\/p>
Bestsellers: Lemon verbena<\/a> (Aloysia citrodora<\/em>) and French tarragon<\/a> (Artemisia dracunculus<\/em>)<\/strong><\/p>
$\"Lemon$ Lemon verbena \u00a9 Jekka’s Herb Farm <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
“Our best-selling herbs are both lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora<\/em>) and French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus<\/em>). They not only look wonderful, but they taste great and do you good as well; supporting both your health & well-being,” says Jekka.<\/p>
“Lemon verbena<\/a> is from the family Verbenaceae<\/em> and is the Rolls Royce of lemon-scented plants. The fresh leaves can be used in fruit puddings, oils and vinegars and to make the best herbal infusion, a most relaxing and calming bedtime drink.”<\/p>
$\"French$ French Tarragon \u00a9 Jekka’s Herb Farm <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
“Tarragon<\/a> is from the family Asteraceae<\/em>. It is a herbaceous perennial with aromatic, long narrow smooth, green leaves that have an anise flavour. Its flavour promotes appetite and complements so many dishes; such as chicken, veal, fish, stuffed tomatoes and, of course, it is the main ingredient in sauce bearnaise and the traditional ingredient of a fines herbes<\/em> mix. It is not to be confused with Russian tarragon, which is widely available, grown from seed and tastes like upper-class grass.<\/p>
“You can find more about both lemon verbena and French tarragon in Jekka\u2019s new book, 100 Herbs to Grow<\/em>, as well as her \u201cAll about herbs\u201d blog series: How to grow lemon verbena<\/a> and How to grow French tarragon<\/a>.”Buy from Jekka’s Herbs<\/a><\/p>
Knoll Gardens <\/strong><\/p>
Bestsellers: Hakonechloa macra<\/a> and Calamagrostis <\/a><\/em>x<\/a> acutiflora<\/a><\/em> ‘Karl Foerster<\/a><\/strong>‘<\/p>
$\"Hakonechloa$
Hakonechloa macra 163034 \u00a9 Knoll Gardens <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
“Although we have a wide range of grasses that offer a variety of aesthetic qualities, our very top-selling grasses are those that will also fulfil some kind of practical role in gardens,” says owner Neil Lucas. “For example, Hakonechloa macra<\/a><\/em>, while offering long lived mounds of very refined elongated foliage, is also quite superb at growing in dry shade. A common condition in so many gardens and one that can be difficult to plant effectively. It also looks pretty fab in a pot. It’s our top seller.”<\/p>
He adds: “Calamagrostis<\/em> x acutiflora<\/em> ‘Karl Foerster<\/a>” offers mounds of upright stems and is one of the first of the tall grasses to flower each season. Its upright nature makes it almost unequalled when used as an informal screen and so is hardly surprising that it has become such a popular plant.”<\/p>
$\"Calamagrostis$ Calamagrostis Karl Foerster 8942 \u00a9 Knoll Gardens <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
Sesleria autumnalis<\/a><\/em> is a foliage based grass great at providing a base or matrix through which other plants such as bulbs and perennials can be planted.<\/p>
$\"Sesleria$
Sesleria autumnalis 9974 \u00a9 Knoll Gardens <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
Buy grasses from Knoll Gardens<\/a><\/p>
Beth Chatto Plants<\/strong><\/p>
Bestsellers: Verbena bonariensis <\/em>and Sempervivum Assorted<\/em><\/strong><\/p>
$\"Verbena$ Verbena bonariensis & Stipa gigantea Gold Fontaene \u00a9 Beth Chatto Plants and Gardens <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
Verbena bonariensis<\/em> 4369 <\/a>has a long flowering season – July, Aug and Sept – followed by seedheads lasting well into winter. The tall, upright, slender habit makes it the perfect screen for which to view the garden through, meaning it can be planted at the front of a border and not obstruct the planting behind. It sells really well online for us.<\/p>
$\"Sempervivum$ Sempervivum Isabella \u00a9 Beth Chatto Plants and Gardens <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
Sempervivum Assorted <\/em>3034<\/a> is easy to care for and easy to propagate, so a great beginner\u2019s plant and gift for those who are not so green fingered! Its compact size makes it perfect for those who are on coach trips, on public transport or don\u2019t have much room in the car. These are our bestsellers from on-site nursery sales.<\/p>
David Austin Roses<\/strong><\/p>
Bestsellers: Rosa <\/em>Claire Austin^{\u00ae<\/sup>(Ausprior) and R.<\/em> Olivia Rose Austin^{\u00ae<\/sup>(Ausmixture)<\/strong><\/p>}}
$\"Rosa$ Rosa Claire Austin (=’Ausprior’) \u00a9 David Austin Roses <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
Rosa<\/em> Claire Austin (=’Ausprior’) and R.<\/em> Olivia Rose Austin (=’Ausmixture’) are two of David Austin’s most beloved roses<\/a>, each with a special link to the Austin family. Over the past five years, they\u2019ve been consistent favourites with gardeners.<\/p>
Claire Austin (=’Ausprior’), named after David Austin\u2019s daughter, the nurserywoman Claire Austin<\/a>, is a climbing rose with creamy white<\/a>, gently arching blooms and a rich myrrh fragrance. Its graceful habit and versatility make it a delightful addition to arches<\/a>, trellises, and walls.<\/p>
$\"Rose$
Rosa Olivia Rose Austin (=’Ausmixture’) \u00a9 David Austin Roses <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
Olivia Rose Austin^{\u00ae <\/sup>(Ausmixture), named after David Austin\u2019s granddaughter, is a robust and dependable shrub rose. Its soft}pink<\/a>, delicately cupped flowers and light, fruity fragrance are complemented by excellent disease resistance and a long flowering season, making it a joy to grow.<\/p>
These roses bring together charm, reliability, and a sense of heritage, offering something truly special for any garden. Their timeless appeal ensures they remain firm favourites year after year.Buy from David Austin Roses<\/a><\/p>
Farmer Gracy<\/strong><\/p>
Bestsellers: dahlias, especially ‘Caf\u00e9 au Lait’<\/strong><\/p>
$\"Dahlia$ Dahlia ‘Cafe au Lait’ \u00a9 Farmer Gracy <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
“Dahlias<\/a> are by far the biggest hit,” says Naomi Jones, horticulturist at Farmer Gracy. “Flower power is back on trend and there\u2019s nothing like a dahlia to bring a bucketload of blooms all through the season. Our number one bestseller is Dahlia<\/em> \u2018Caf\u00e9 au Lait\u2019, three times more popular than any other dahlia variety. It\u2019s just impossible not to love this dahlia \u2013 a neutral colour which works with any scheme, enormous flowers packed with elegantly curved petals, impressive yet easy to grow, and a masterpiece for a vase.<\/p>
“Hot on the tail of dahlias are hardy perennials, which continue to increase in popularity as people lean towards making longer lasting, more economical plant choices.”<\/p>
$\"Hosta$ Hosta ‘White Feather’ \u00a9 Farmer Gracy <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
“Top picks include Hosta<\/a><\/em> \u2018White Feather\u2019, which helps bring light to shady spaces each spring with its unusual pure white leaves.”<\/p>
$\"Eryingium$
Eryingium ‘Blue Star’ \u00a9 Farmer Gracy <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
“Also Eryngium<\/a><\/em>, popular for its architectural habit, resilience, reliability, drought tolerance<\/a> and seemingly endless life-span. Perennials offer great value and require minimal fuss, saving time and money.”Buy from Farmer Gracy<\/a><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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