Tried & Tested: Plant shopping

Tried & Tested choice

Prices
Caryopteris: £4, 2-litre pot
Gaillardia: £2.90, 2-litre pot
Geum: £2.50, 2-litre pot
Lavatera: £3, 3-litre pot
Rose: £3, 3-litre pot
Total: £15.40

Market plants tend to be cheap, and while some are bought in bulk from the Netherlands, many come from specialists or are grown by stall holders. The fast stock turnover means healthier plants, but choice and advice are limited. On the stall we bought from, prices were lower than at other sources. The lavatera cost just £3, and the rose was half the price of its competitors.

At purchase
All plants were healthy, with good roots and top growth. The rose was best of all, with thick stems and lush foliage. There were no signs of pests or disease.

Early days
The caryopteris was infested with capsid bugs, but all the other plants flourished.

The story four months on
The geum flowered and grew well throughout the summer. Most impressive was the rose, which produced three flushes of flowers. The gaillardia bloomed non- stop until October. Even the ravaged caryopteris managed a smattering of blooms.

we say
The lack of choice means this is not the way to furnish a complete garden. But for impulse buys and seasonal plants, market stalls offer great value. Overall, our market plants performed extremely well, being outdone only by the internet-bought plants.

Total score 9/10

Results In brief

Buying from a nursery
Although nurseries produce a great selection of plants at very reasonable prices, our test plants fared the worst of the five. 4/10

Buying over the internet
These plants did well, with strong growth and lots of blooms. But the delivery charges pushed the cost up by almost 40 per cent. 5/10

Buying from a garden centre
Our test plants did well and the wide range means you can hand pick the best stock. You also get decent value for money. 7/10

Buying from a DIY store
Our big, healthy plants came in large pots, but prices were on the high side. 8/10

Buying from a market
The choice isn't great and advice is limited. But prices are low and our test plants developed superbly. 9/10

To market, to market...

All five sets had their strengths and weaknesses but, by summer's end two groups had out-grown the rest. To our surprise, these were the internet and market plants. Both were great performers, but delivery costs made the internet plants much more expensive. And although our internet-bought plants were in good condition, quality is not guaranteed because you don't see what you buy.

So, for the best overall value, growth and health, the market plants are our winners. Admittedly, you won't find the best range here, but what you do find will be fresh and healthy, having arrived from specialist growers in the past few days. And unlike the internet, markets also offer you the browse factor. When it comes to value for money and enjoyable shopping, markets are unbeatable.