Best place to buy fruit bushes?

[becslb]

I have a 7mx7m plot which I am pretty much devoting to fruit - gooseberries, raspberries, currants to start with - it is currently mainly covered in grass with a few halfdug beds (last occupant gave up) so I have pretty much a clean slate with no major weeds to deal with and therefore I am planning to get it planted up as soon as I can.

JParkers comes in at half the price of all the other suppliers but I have heard not so good reviews - am wondering if it is worth the risk or if I should spend more on a more reputable supplier. Who you would recommend?

[jojo2910]

Hi becslb,

I am after the same answer, esp in relation to unusual fruit trees such as quince and medlar, but to answer your question, we bought 5 autumn raspberry canes from this place as they seemed cheap just to try them out

hedges, hedging plants, bare root, rootball, container grown, instant and cell grown, low prices, huge range from HedgeNursery

They have turned out really well and we've had a very good crop.

[rustylady]

If you want raspberries and currants the pound shops and Wilkinsons will have them. If you want specific varieties then you will have to research the more expensive suppliers.

[lynda66]

and keep an eye on lidl aldi poundstretchers B&M bargains, home bargains, who should all be getting their fruit bushes in any time now .... you can sign up for their newsletters so you know when they are in .... also you can often get some bargains on ebay .... and sometimes more unusual stuff

[FB.]

For fruit bushes such as currants and berries, you can often scrounge a few cuttings from other growers in the autumn. Cuttings of most fruit bushes root very easily if pencil-sized pieces of stem are taken in late autumn, just as the leaves are turning yellow.

For fruit trees, the best quality that I've seen was Bernwode Plants or from Blackmoor. They are both among the more expensive options, but when it comes to fruit trees (apples pears etc), the 1yr container-grown maidens that they offer, planted in early autumn (September), have undisturbed/undamaged roots and those roots quickly get moving into the surrounding moist/warm soil of autumn.
Trees planted later have less root growth due to the cold/frozen soil of winter and early spring.
Bare root trees sometimes stop growing for up to two years after planting, while they repair the damage done to their roots when they were dug out of the nursery.
This root damage to bare-root trees is all the more prominent because the tree put all its summer energy into growing new roots in the autumn, only for the tree to be dug out "bare root" during the winter and most of the roots being damaged or left behind.
On the other hand, container grown trees of more than 1-2yrs old will often become "pot bound" and their roots will be twisted/coiled/deformed and may struggle to establish quickly.

These 1-2yr container-grown maidens are ideal for the ancient/rarer varieties, but if you *must* have a popular variety, then you may as well pick one up from a discount store - but be prepared for the disease problems often associated with modern/popular varieties such as Cox, Gala, Braeburn etc.

[elizajay]

Keepers Nursery - possibly the largest range of fruit trees and soft fruit plants in the world is good for bare rooted fruit trees in winter. You can order on line. They give advice on varieties and stock a big range. Good website.

[becslb]

thanks for the suggestions... I shall have a look and try and make a decision!