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#1
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North/South divide
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. At this stage you might think that they had better things to do than deal with small beer but I was talking about substantial business. small beer (http://dictionary.reference.com/word...004/04/21.html |
#2
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North/South divide
Rupert wrote:
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. At this stage you might think that they had better things to do than deal with small beer but I was talking about substantial business. [...] No, that's what I'd expect from a reputable nursery. Compare forestry catalogues: they'll tell you provenance along with all the age and undercutting details. Of course it doesn't matter for all plants. -- Mike. |
#4
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North/South divide
"Sacha" wrote in message .uk... On 7/12/05 23:41, in article , "Mike Lyle" wrote: Rupert wrote: 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. At this stage you might think that they had better things to do than deal with small beer but I was talking about substantial business. [...] No, that's what I'd expect from a reputable nursery. Compare forestry catalogues: they'll tell you provenance along with all the age and undercutting details. Of course it doesn't matter for all plants. Old gardeners always seemed to think that you shouldn't move plants north - or not far, anyway. I think there's sense in it. Plants grown down here don't usually meet the more extreme weather of some parts of the north and won't have toughened up in the same way. One of the reasons we don't use heat to force plants is because we want to grow them 'hard' but OTOH, normally speaking, our weather isn't anything like as severe as it can be in the north. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) This almost comes back to zones..in a way....I think nothing of buying plants from anywhere in the USA providing those plants meet the temperature etc. requirements of my northern area.....the southern plants very often cost less because of the warmer winter and lower heating costs....when the plants arrive I just harden them off...get every bit as good results from southern nursery grown plants as I do from northern nursery grown ones....and yes I do understand the climatic conditions over yonder....my teeth came thru there...I have compared southern nursery plants to my own from seed and the results are pretty close....the only reasons I grow my own is a) something to do in my retirement years and b) selection.....(lest I get chastised, I also enjoy)......H |
#5
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North/South divide
"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 |
#6
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North/South divide
"Janet Baraclough" wrote in message ... The message from "Rupert" contains these words: 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 You might try Binny Plants. It's a nursery, not a garden centre. No pots, cards, coffee, gifts, nuffink but wonderful plants which he grows and propagates. They are situated outside Edinburgh, are exceptionally helpful people, and specialise in finding and growing varieties which are tough enough for the north. They do mail order.; theres's a website with pics and and also a printed catalogue without (but good descriptions). www.binnyplants.co.uk/ Another excellent large northern nursery, is Larch Cottage at Melkinthorpe just outside Penrith. ( a must-stop just off the M6, wonderful gardens, nice home-cooked restaurant, upmarket pots and gallery) They do mail order plants, and will also provide plants in a wide range of sizes from tiny to big specimens. Their printed catalogue is the size of a paperback novel and well worth getting. www.larchcottagenurseries.com/ Janet Once again thanks. I had forgotten about Larch. I got a Leycesteria (purple rain) from them a few years ago and it was a bobby dazzler or for our Cornish friends a Morgan rattler. I will have a good look at both sites. |
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