Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: newstart on March 28, 2009, 10:21:25 PM

Title: Obtaining Plants -any good ideas??
Post by: newstart on March 28, 2009, 10:21:25 PM: Does anyone know what is the best way of obtaining alpine plants other than using RHS plant finder for all the nurseries which do rock garden plants.

Quite possibly the answer is find folk who love alpines. I already know there is a Plants Wanted forum which is good. Any other ideas folk have done in the past? I am new to gardening forums in general.
Title: Re: Obtaining Plants -any good ideas??
Post by: Carol Shaw on March 29, 2009, 09:39:16 AM: Depending where you live you could go to some of the SRGC AGS shows and buy plants there. Or contact some of the nurseries in their journals.
Title: Re: Obtaining Plants -any good ideas??
Post by: Brian Ellis on March 29, 2009, 10:08:38 AM: You could also check the links page on this site for a nursery selling the plants you require by mail order.
Title: Re: Obtaining Plants -any good ideas??
Post by: annew on March 29, 2009, 12:45:20 PM: Carol has the right idea - go to the shows, AGS or SRGC. Harrogate Spring Flower Show (incorporating an AGS show on the Saturday) is a great place to buy, there are lots of alpine nurseries there, as well as all the other stuff. This year it is on from 23-26 April.
Title: Re: Obtaining Plants -any good ideas??
Post by: Carol Shaw on March 29, 2009, 02:18:54 PM: Quote from: annew on March 29, 2009, 12:45:20 PM
Harrogate Spring Flower Show (incorporating an AGS show on the Saturday) is a great place to buy, there are lots of alpine nurseries there, as well as all the other stuff. This year it is on from 23-26 April.
Anne - thanks for that info - must remember to tell our son!
Title: Re: Obtaining Plants -any good ideas??
Post by: JohnnyD on March 30, 2009, 09:01:08 AM: I agree entirely that the alpine shows are a great place to start - but do try to talk to the exhibitors as well as the nurserymen.
You will find a great willingness to encourage newstarts (no pun intended! ;D) by giving spare plants.
Look for a local group in your area and just ask.
JohnnyD.
Title: Re: Obtaining Plants -any good ideas??
Post by: Rodger Whitlock on March 30, 2009, 05:52:04 PM: It's common practice here for flower shows of all types to include a sale of plants propagated by members. Very likely it's the same where you are.

So go to shows of alpines, esp. smaller local ones, and look for a "plant stall" somewhere in the outer reaches of the hall. You will be both surprised and happy to discover some plants that are unavailable from any commercial source.

Prices tend to be low, too.
Title: Re: Obtaining Plants -any good ideas??
Post by: newstart on March 30, 2009, 07:44:34 PM: Thanks folks for all the advice. I posted a new subject today on alpine books I was wondering if you could help? It was asking about a propagation/cultivation book which needed to include certain criteria.