HOW WE GROW AND SEND YOUR PLANTS

Our plants get off to the best possible start with the combination of traditional horticultural skills and state of the art greenhouses equipped with computer technology to create the perfect growing environment.

Plugs, miniplugs and seedlings are raised from premier-quality seed and are supplied in black modular trays. Seedlings are multi-sown in traditional miniplug trays and can easily be teased apart from the cell. Some cells may contain 3 seedlings. Miniplugs (11/2-21/4") require potting on before they can be acclimatised to outdoor conditions and planted out into beds or containers. A free dibber is supplied to assist with removing miniplugs from their growing cells. Plug plants (2-3") can be planted direct into their final containers but they must be protected from frost, or potted on into 31/2" (9cm) pots for 4-8 weeks or until the roots are well spread around the side of the pot. Plugs are supplied in trays of 25, 35, 54 or 84 cells depending on the variety. We recommend that you have a supply of pots or trays and compost available prior to your plants arriving.

Young plants This category covers a range of growing cells including Jiffy, glue plugs and paper pots. Sizes will vary according to the variety, but as a guide plants measure approx 3-5" (8-13cm) from root base to stem tip. Many varieties are raised from seed, unless the plants have been raised from virus-free cuttings, painstakingly hand-prepared by skilled nurserymen. Sometimes we have already nipped out the growing tip to encourage bushier growth and greater flower power.

2" (5cm) mock terracotta pots Many of our perennial plants are supplied in this type of pot. The plants are predominantly over-wintered and have a well-developed root system to give them a head start when planted out.

Bareroot plants are field grown and the soil is removed from the roots prior to packing. They are usually despatched in a dormant state, appearing lifeless, but they are merely resting while the energy is stored in the roots. The plants are ready to come to life once planted and watered. Quite often plants that are supplied as bare roots are more mature and have a better developed root system than pot-grown specimens. As they are less bulky to pack and post, we are able to offer them at very reasonable prices. The plants often look unsightly on arrival, but this is perfectly normal and nothing to be alarmed about.

Root-wrapped plants are generally field grown, and the rootballs are wrapped in plastic or netting prior to shipping. Not supplied in pots.

Bulb sizes determine the vigour of the plants and the number and size of the flowers produced. Wherever possible, we supply the largest sized bulbs available. Generally, the bulb size relates to the circumference measured in centimetres, eg 14/16 will have a minimum circumference of 14 cm and a maximum circumference of 16 cm. Sometimes bulbs are graded I, II or III, I being the top size bulb. As with all perennial plants, the heights and spreads given in the symbol are usually after 3-5 years' growth.
Many plants are protected by Plant Breeders' Rights, and when appears in the variety name, this denotes that an application for a plant patent has been submitted. Commercial propagation of these varieties is strictly prohibited.

Packaging Cell-raised and pot-grown plants are normally shipped in blister packs to keep the root systems in place and the foliage protected in transit. This packaging is made from recycled PET and should be recycled after use. Where a pack of plants represents a collection of colours or different varieties, these can be identified by referencing the embossed letters A-F on the outside of the green packaging with the planting guide supplied. Some varieties are supplied with a strip of pre-printed labels that correspond to the embossed letters. These can be detached and stuck onto plastic plant labels or pots for future reference.

Cultural instructions are supplied with each pack to help you get the best possible performance from your purchase. We urge you to invest a little time in reading the guide before you remove the plants from the packaging. As our cultural guides are an excellent source of information, we recommend that you retain them for future reference as your plants mature.

Plant classifications Annuals live for one season and then die at the end of that season. Perennials last for more than one season. They may die down to ground level but have a long-lived root system that sends up new growth in the spring. Once mature they'll flower every year. They don't grow as quickly as annual flowers and usually require 2-3 seasons to reach the mature size stated in our catalogues. Hardy plants can be left outdoors all year.