"Janet Baraclough" wrote in message
...
The message
from "Rupert" contains these words:

So is it true that if a *N*ortherner (North of Watford type) buys summat
from the Southerners--then it might have problems surviving?
I ask this question because a reputable Nursery/garden centre in Cornwall
suggested that it would be better for me (a Northerner) to buy plants
locally.

Usually, it is; especially if it's a big investment of money time and
effort, such as planting an orchard woodland or hedgerow.

Buying in Winter-Spring; plants grown in the south often start into
new growth weeks earlier than the same plants would further north. So a
south-west import of a perfectly hardy species may be very vulnerable
to later northern frosts, cold east winds etc which could freeze off
it's new grwoth points and buds. Then, if it didn't die, its first
season would be badly delayed, resulting in a weaker plant, more
vulnerable to disease, moulds, etc. A " northern" buy would be more
adapted to the season, and properly hardened for the locality, and
should establish much better with a lower fatality rate. Good-quality
nursery growers offer replacements of failed plants. so you can
understand why they don't want to send large consignment where failure
is more likely.

Common native plants (like hawthorn and hazel) have adapted to local
climate variations over centuries, as have local birds, insects etc
which feed on them. Competent ecologists and forestry interests nowadays
buy and plant local-provenance stock which is best suited to the
conditions and local biosystem.

But having said all that, if you're in warmer climes and happen to
find some irresistible plant, bulb or seed that's seldom available at
home, join the happy throng who push the boundary to see what they can
get away with. Climate change is a great temptation to gardeners. Just
make sure you harden it off properly and position it somewhere kindly.
And don't cry if it dies. OTOH, it's always a special pleasure when
something from further south settles down happily with a slight shiver
and turns out far hardier than expected.

What plants were you looking for ?

Janet

Thanks for that very good summary .
The plants were pretty ordinary --Abutilon, Bamboo etc . All were pretty
large specimen plants. The advice was that if I could obtain the plants
locally then they would stand a better chance of success. These plants are
destined for a friends garden who wants everything instant and fully grown