Today's Sunday Mail Offer?

[bjblackmore]

Hi,

I've been thinking about growing my own blueberries for a while now, but not had a chance to get anything yet. This morning I noticed in the Sunday mail that they have an offer, 1 bush for £9.49, or buy 2 get 1 free. They also had Honey Berries, and Goji Berries, and Mini Apple plants that can grow in patio pots, which is something else I've been wanting to grow.

Are these kind of plants any good, or should I look else where to buy them? Has anyone had any experience with ordering plants from the Sunday Mail?

Any advice much appreciated!

Ben

[sarraceniac]

Boy that is expensive.

[kernowyon]

Boy that is expensive.

i agree, seems a bit pricey, wait till Lidl or Aldi sell em off for a couple of quid each. I got my blueberries from Lidl's a couple of years ago and have had a fantastic crop of them this year.

[valmarg]

i agree, seems a bit pricey, wait till Lidl or Aldi sell em off for a couple of quid each. I got my blueberries from Lidl's a couple of years ago and have had a fantastic crop of them this year.

I'm not a fan of Lidl/Aldi/Netto/B&M cheapo crappo plants. I've bought blueberries from them all, and what have I got, zippo. I consider myself a reasonable gardener, and if anyone could have made the ruddy things grow, I would have thought I would have been in with a good chance. In most cases, taking the plants out of the pots, there was no root system, so they were doomed. They were all DOOMED.

I've been stupid enough to think I was getting a bargain from these stores. Quite a bit of money later, I've got nothing.

In future, I would buy from a reputable company? Expensive, maybe, but will I get a plant that will grow? Almost certainly, and if it doesn't I can go back to that company and complain, and get money back or replacement, YES.

valmarg

[Dottie]

I bought 2 climbing roses from either Lidl or Aldi earlier this year, gave them the best start in life and they are still just sticks in the ground. At the same time I bought and planted some not too expensive rose bushes from B&Q and they have flowered all summer. I only went for the Lidl ones because they looked a nice variety on photo, but as my arch is still bare and I've wasted a whole season, I shall not be buying plants from Lidl or Aldi again. Seeds are not too bad, although I did have a whole pack of Sweetpeas from them and the seeds were all broken.

I bought 5 blueberry plants from Homebase, I think they were £5 each max (someone mentioned the offer on here). They have done really well for the first season and have had a good crop off 2 of them, while the other 3 have just given lots of new growth, which I equally happy with.

Offers are worth trying at stores like B&Q and Homebase, because they will always replace with new stock. But as Aldi and Lidl just get them in as one off's then no further stock to swap with, and getting £1.99 back or whatever is not much comfort when you have lost a whole season's growth.

[sarraceniac]

I'd suggest a middle road. Lidl, Aldi and also Wilko and Morrisons tend to sell stuff off, end of season when, unless you are an expert gardener, you can't get them to strike at all. But I still think that the 'Mail' is a rip off. Even eBay is better (yes I do use it). I buy most of my plants (of all types) from a local nursery. Note not a garden centre. And they are a lot cheaper. Having said that, Wilko's mainstream (not budget) lines are very good. I bought some grapes (red and white) there 3 years ago for about £4 each. They are showing baby grapes for the first time now. No problem. I think paying over the odds for something is not very intelligent And I am comfortably off.

[bjblackmore]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll keep an eye out in B&Q/Homebase/Wilkos for any offers. What's the best blue berry variety? I see thompson & morgan have Brigitta, Chandler, & Earliblue (£12.99 each).

Anyone tried, or have any experience with 'Honey Berries'? I've never heard of them before seeing them in the mail advert, apparently they are a member of the honeysuckle family. If so, what are they like? T&M have 3 plants for £9.99, which is the same as the mail.

Also, anyone tried the mini apple trees? We don't have a huge amount of space, and the idea of an apple tree that can grow in a patio pot is appealing!

Thanks

Ben

EDIT: I just noticed the advert in the mail says 'orders supplied & fulfilled by T&M Ltd' Thompson & Morgan I assume? Might as well just order from T&M, its cheaper!

[bramble]

I have bought all my fruit bushes from Lidl and haver had great results and they are 4 year old now.
have blackcurrant, redcurrant, raspberry and strawberry plants and could not complain.

[Dottie]

Wilko's £1 redcurrants have all done well for me, but they had moist soil and roots in a pot. The roses from Lidl had dried out roots in dried out soil, but it claimed that by soaking them in water they would be fine. To be fair, it's often just pot luck with offers, when it works your delighted.

[gojiberry]

If anyone decides to have a go at honeyberry just remember you need a male and female plant. No doubt T&M's offer of 3 will include both.

Ian