Garden centre or plant nursery - what's the difference?

Garden Centre or Plant Nursery - which?

What is the difference between a Garden Centre and a Plant Nursery?
It all depends on what you want to look at and buy. One reference defines the first as a type of shop that sells products related to gardens. This includes plants, bulbs, compost, fertilisers, containers and garden ornaments, as well as just about everything else you can think of.

On the other hand a Plant Nursery it just that, a specialist in growing plants. Many of them are wholesalers and sell their plants to Garden Centres for members of the public to buy.

There is a choice for you in East Devon. Why not visit both?

Plant Nurseries

Sheds, garden furniture, containers and tools all depreciate over time. On the other hand plants can be a valuable investment, that’s why you find many specialist plant nurseries growing every imaginable type of plant for you to enjoy.

Writer Martin Bain says:"Don't just go to B&Q, but visit or send off for the catalogues of these independent, often specialist nurseries. The plants are far more interesting and of a very high quality".

Among the many plant nurseries in East Devon are the following:

Axe Valley Alpines, Greenacres Nursery, Lower Holditch, Axminster, Devon EX13 7AX Telephone: (01297) 678494

Blackdown Lilies, Venn Ottery Road, Newton Poppleford, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0BU Telephone: (01395) 567605

Devonshire Lavenders, Exmouth Road West Hill, West Hill Devon EX11 1JZTelelphone: (01404) 823044

Nursery Of Miniatures, Hutgate Road, Honiton, Devon, EX14 9UX Telephone: 01404 42617 Bonsai and miniature plant specialist.

Garden Centres
St Bridget Nurseries Ltd Old Rydon Lane, Exeter, Devon, EX2 7JY Telephone: (01392) 873672
A sizeable Centre on the outskirts of Exeter. Again lots of plants to enjoy and plenty of garden accessories to choose from.
Luxtons Garden Centre, Higher Hulham Road, Exmouth, Devon EX8 5DZTelephone: (01395) 271911
When you are tired of the beach take a trip to Luxton's for some retail therapy.
Otter Nurseries Garden Centre Gosford Road, Ottery St Mary, Devon EX11 1LZ Telephone (01404) 815815
A large Garden Centre where you can enjoy a half-day out. An excellent range of high quality plants, containers and compost to grow them in, knowledgeable staff to answer your questions, a good range of gifts and books and a café to refresh yourself at the end of your visit.

Slades CountrywiseTurks Head Corner Exeter Road, Honiton, Devon EX14 1AZTelephone (01404) 45966
A smaller site with plants and some garden accessories. The shop also has pet foods and supplies.
Sidmouth Garden CentreStowford Cross, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 0NATelephone (01395 516142)
Not as large as some of the others, but certainly worth a visit. Even if you are not especially interested in gardening or plants there is a lovely café and they do a really good morning coffee and afternoon tea.
So whatever your preference – Garden Centres or Plant Nurseries – you can find something to suit you in East Devon.

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