Sue Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 (edited) Now that we have sadly lost several of the local and localish places to buy plants, can anybody recommend a good nursery which is reasonably near and has a good selection of shrubs? Or alternatively a good place to buy plants online (though I would rather see what I am buying, as I've had bad experiences in the past when buying plants online). I need something urgently which is evergreen and prickly and will grow quickly to fill a shady corner space at the back of my garden where fences have become bare and cats are climbing over and waiting for birds to come to the feeders 😠I'm thinking a Mahonia. It doesn't actually have thorns, but the leaves are prickly. Alternatively, is there some other way of deterring the cats without harming them (I like cats!) I don't want to use anything like spikes or barbed wire. If this is in the wrong section, admin, please move! Edited April 19 by Sue Edited to add garden centre to heading to avoid confusion Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
diable rouge Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 I can vouch for a Berberis being a good thorny deterrent, and colorful too... https://www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk/hedging-plants/thorny-prickly-intruder-proof-hedging-plants/ Gooseberry bushes have thorns plus the added bonus of the fruit... https://www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk/?subcats=Y&pcode_from_q=Y&pshort=Y&pfull=Y&pname=Y&pkeywords=Y&search_performed=Y&q=gooseberry&dispatch=products.search&security_hash=66c20a8bb7c61038d2180d03a4660735 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704194 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed_pete Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 I can't guarantee that they'll have what you're after but I was very impressed with The Nunhead Gardener this week. I'd also been to Croxted Road and the Pot and Plant next to North Dulwich Station and the selection at both paled by comparison. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704196 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiddles Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 Alleyn park garden centre in west Dulwich - very knowledgeable and super helpful and can deliver - give them a buzz Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704205 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 On 19/04/2025 at 14:07, ed_pete said: I can't guarantee that they'll have what you're after but I was very impressed with The Nunhead Gardener this week. I'd also been to Croxted Road and the Pot and Plant next to North Dulwich Station and the selection at both paled by comparison. Expand Thanks, I thought the Nunhead Gardener only did house plants. I'll give them a call. On 19/04/2025 at 14:06, diable rouge said: I can vouch for a Berberis being a good thorny deterrent, and colorful too... https://www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk/hedging-plants/thorny-prickly-intruder-proof-hedging-plants/ Gooseberry bushes have thorns plus the added bonus of the fruit... https://www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk/?subcats=Y&pcode_from_q=Y&pshort=Y&pfull=Y&pname=Y&pkeywords=Y&search_performed=Y&q=gooseberry&dispatch=products.search&security_hash=66c20a8bb7c61038d2180d03a4660735 Expand Thanks, I'm not sure a Berberis would be tall enough, but I'll check it out! It wouldn't get enough sun for a gooseberry, sadly. On 19/04/2025 at 15:35, tiddles said: Alleyn park garden centre in west Dulwich - very knowledgeable and super helpful and can deliver - give them a buzz Expand Thanks Tiddles, I will call them! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704207 Share on other sites More sharing options...
malumbu Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 Surprised nobody has recommended Peckham wildlife centre: https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/nature-reserves/centre-for-wildlife-gardening Very close. Also the greenhouses at Brockwell Park Greenhouse, Google it, another wildlife garden, open some weekends. 1 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704209 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Mog Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 Went to Nunhead Gardener this week. Very good selection of healthy plants, indoor and out. 1 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704214 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friernlocal Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 If you mean proper nurseries where they grow plants and not just garden centres there are several on Woodmansterne Lane just south of Wallington. I prefer going there as you get a lot of plants you don't see in garden centres. The two I go to most often are Flittons https://www.flittons.com/ and Barnes https://www.barnesnurseries.co.uk/. There are a few others on the same road and a large Dobbies if you want a garden centre that sells other things. 1 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704215 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 (edited) On 19/04/2025 at 16:13, malumbu said: Surprised nobody has recommended Peckham wildlife centre: https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/nature-reserves/centre-for-wildlife-gardening Very close. Also the greenhouses at Brockwell Park Greenhouse, Google it, another wildlife garden, open some weekends. Expand I was at Brockwell Park greenhouses very recently, they don't have any plants for sale which are suitable for my purpose (though that's not why I went there). I'd be very surprised if the Marsden Road place did either, as I need a fairly large prickly shrub! On 19/04/2025 at 17:01, Friernlocal said: If you mean proper nurseries where they grow plants and not just garden centres there are several on Woodmansterne Lane just south of Wallington. I prefer going there as you get a lot of plants you don't see in garden centres. The two I go to most often are Flittons https://www.flittons.com/ and Barnes https://www.barnesnurseries.co.uk/. There are a few others on the same road and a large Dobbies if you want a garden centre that sells other things. Expand Thanks, I used the term nursery a bit too loosely, sorry. I did mean including garden centres. Your post is useful, thanks. I'm not looking for anything unusual though, just a prickly shrub to deter cats! Much as I love unusual plants, I only have a very small garden. Many of my plants (some unusual and some I had had for years) have disappeared due to wood pigeons trampling everything under my bird feeders in their quest to eat anything edible dropped by smaller birds using the feeders 😠Edited April 19 by Sue Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704218 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizbells6 Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 Pyracantha? Covered in white flowers and pollinators in the summer followed by berries for the birds. Can be a bit of a thug though so you have to keep on top of pruning it through the thorns! 2 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704225 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 On 19/04/2025 at 19:32, lizbells6 said: Pyracantha? Covered in white flowers and pollinators in the summer followed by berries for the birds. Can be a bit of a thug though so you have to keep on top of pruning it through the thorns! Expand Ooh yes, good shout! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704230 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelina Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 Could this help while your plants grow? Doesn’t look as though it would hurt them 1 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704231 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Mog Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/garden-plants/special-deals?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtpLABhC7ARIsALBOCVoIUs5ntdnG6WSCYw0w5eJe08baDH-VDESreUOibdY6jfrLyahTkfMaAtLREALw_wcB 1 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704237 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellose5 Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 nunhead gardener - because they are doing plants which last and give advice - you can get stuff from all over, but support local, give local people work and get some advice and the plants have lasted 2 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704239 Share on other sites More sharing options...
malumbu Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 I do like the Nunhead Gardener. Shannon's was cheaper but that is academic. Garden Centres have not benefited from Brexit, one reason that Shannons closed. The wildlife centre is good for native hedging, fruit trees and bushes and the like, and worth a stroll down to in any case. 1 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704246 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted April 20 Author Share Posted April 20 On 20/04/2025 at 00:03, Angelina said: Could this help while your plants grow? Doesn’t look as though it would hurt them Expand Thanks, that's really useful! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704252 Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalee54 Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 On 19/04/2025 at 19:32, lizbells6 said: Pyracantha? Covered in white flowers and pollinators in the summer followed by berries for the birds. Can be a bit of a thug though so you have to keep on top of pruning it through the thorns! Expand The thorns are brutal though! I've been trying to cut some back this morning and I look like I've had a fight with a cat! Also, maybe because ours in a communal garden haven't been well kept, the cats still get in and amongst them, but that might be because all there spikes are at the top? I'm constantly clearing cat poo up from underneath them and come out covered in scratches. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704272 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huggers Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 On 19/04/2025 at 16:13, malumbu said: Surprised nobody has recommended Peckham wildlife centre: https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/nature-reserves/centre-for-wildlife-gardening Very close. Also the greenhouses at Brockwell Park Greenhouse, Google it, another wildlife garden, open some weekends. Expand They only had trees recently and no aground or plants 1 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704298 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted April 20 Author Share Posted April 20 (edited) On 20/04/2025 at 13:49, natalee54 said: The thorns are brutal though! I've been trying to cut some back this morning and I look like I've had a fight with a cat! Also, maybe because ours in a communal garden haven't been well kept, the cats still get in and amongst them, but that might be because all there spikes are at the top? I'm constantly clearing cat poo up from underneath them and come out covered in scratches. Expand Oh dear! I have had one in the past. Spines at the top would be fine, because it might deter the cats from jumping over the fence. I will try the cat deterrent fence topper as well. Edited April 20 by Sue Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704307 Share on other sites More sharing options...
intexasatthe moment Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 https://www.alexandranurseries.co.uk/ in Penge ,any good to you ? 1 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704361 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian up the hill Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 I have always found the Secret Garden in Crystal Palace to have a good selection of plants and probably the largest in the area. Nunhead Gardener is good but I find it’s led by what’s fashionable this season. It is also quite limited by size, same goes for Alleyn Park. 1 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704363 Share on other sites More sharing options...
intexasatthe moment Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 Quote I have always found the Secret Garden in Crystal Palace to have a good selection of plants and probably the largest in the area. Expand Good shout .I'd forgotten them . Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704377 Share on other sites More sharing options...
se22 Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 I happened to be at the secret garden today. They were very busy due to the bank Holiday. There was an excellent selection of plants and the staff were very helpful and friendly. 1 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704378 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted April 21 Author Share Posted April 21 On 21/04/2025 at 16:56, se22 said: I happened to be at the secret garden today. They were very busy due to the bank Holiday. There was an excellent selection of plants and the staff were very helpful and friendly. Expand Yes, thanks, I had forgotten them too. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704384 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadNun Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 The Secret Garden is great and delivers - excellent customer service and advice. I think the Nunhead Gardener is way too expensive and not sure they really know their stuff. I hate to admit that I go online for plants but Gardening Express is just brilliant - great value for money (I used to use Crocus, which is extortionate and so many of their plants didn't make it) and their plants have grown like crazy since I got them. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/360427-can-anybody-recommend-a-good-local-plant-nursery-or-garden-centre/#findComment-1704423 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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