It goes without saying that you should only buy plants of the highest quality. Even the best nurseries may disappoint you. They must supply the highest quality plants at your price level. Otherwise, you may end up unhappy if the plants are not healthy and do not survive. Take delivery on site and inspect the quantity and quality.

Plant Substitutions

Only accept substitutions that are suitable. Check that no subs were added to the order.

What is the supply of wholesale plants?

Should you, as the designer, supply the plants or should the contractor? You have the choice and it depends on how you run your business. This isn’t quite as simple as it seems. You will now be the supplier, not the designer. You will also need to sign a new contract. You can make more money if you provide the plants. You will be able to control the quality, and in many cases, up to 100%. You also assume the responsibility for the warranty. If you provide the plants, you should replace those that do not survive the first growing cycle.

What is the best way to go about it?

First, do a fair amount of research to determine which option is the best for both your financial situation and convenience.

Visit as many nurseries and gardens as you can

You can meet the owners and get an idea of what they sell and how good it is. Open days are held by many nurseries, including Palmstead. Many nurseries offer “workshops” and “seminars”, which are aimed at landscape and garden designers. They are usually educational and well worth attending. For Wholesale Plants, consider Palmstead

Relationships are important

Do not wait until you are too busy designing. Meet with as many nurseries as you can. You will be able to rely on them for many years if you continue building a professional relationship.

Understanding the differences

You can’t expect every nursery to work the same. Some nurseries are very helpful and offer a service that will help you source all the plants on your list. Others will sell wholesale plants at any price to anyone who is willing to buy. You should be aware that not all pot sizes are the same. When comparing quotes, it is important to understand the differences. You are often comparing “apples” with “pears”. When ordering, you should specify the pot size and ask the nursery if there are any changes.