skip to main content

Gardening in the UK

Online retailers for all of Europe?

21 years ago

Hi

I recently moved to Italy from Pakistan. I am looking for resources where I can get the following plants at reasonable prices.

Iris (bearded)

Dahlia (decorative varieties)

Acer Japanese

Lillies

Any and all types of Jasmine

Hoya

I don't remember it's common name but I'm also looking for Monstera Deliciosa.

Any other unusual plants for this area.

I can't read Italian yet so I'm relying on English Language websites, hence the post here.

The websites I have looked at so far are:

www.tulipword.com

www.bakker.com (they don't ship to Italy?!)

and a number of other nurseries listed in the gardenweb directory.

I can't tell the difference between ones that are reliable and reasonable and the not so good ones, so any help, pointers, advice would be really welcome.

Viqar

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

crazylady
21 years ago
The retailers we'd be most familiar with would be UK ones, and they wouldn't necessarily send plants to Italy. Also, you're looking for a mixture of garden plants and houseplants, so far as the UK is concerned, which wouldn't usually be stocked by the same firm.

Why not try posting on the Italian Forum? I'm sure a lot of people there would be able to give you more local advice, probably in English.

Here is a link that might be useful: Italian Gardening Forum
shrubs_n_bulbs
21 years ago
Broadleigh Bulbs will ship a wide variety of common bulbs to anywhere in the EU. I've had a couple of mixed orders from them, but the customer service is good and the bulbs are good quality.

For something a bit special, try Paul Christian. Prices range from not so bad for the commonly available stuff to totally outrageous fro the real rarities, but everything is absolutely the best quality I;ve ever come across.

All in all, because you don't want anything too unusual and the cost of shipping, you'd be better finding local sources. The Monstera is called Swiss Cheese Plant amongst other things.
Related Discussions
Don Shadow on-line retail nursery
Q
Comments (7)
Greenwood Nursery (not a great reputation, BTW) used to have a "Don Shadow's Signature Collection" page. It appears to no longer be available though (probably a good thing considering this nursery). You can go through a list of Tennessee-based nurseries by going to Garden Watchdog and searching by state. I think I'm pretty familiar with most online nurseries from TN, and I don't know of one that specifically carries a line from Shadow Nursery. One local nursery I know of used to deal with Don quite a bit and used to do mail-order, but they no longer do mail-order and I don't know that they ever specifically advertised carrying anything from Shadow Nursery. Do let us know if you find anything.
...See More
Canadian online retailers
Q
Comments (17)
You are right...cheaper is not always better. But, in the case of getting hostas from Pat Vinish, the Hostageek...I would highly recommend his hostas. He purchases a lot of his hostas from reputable hosta suppliers like Q & Z Nurseries in the US. You will find that the quality of the hostas are amazing and the root systems of the hostas he grows are HUGE. He packs them well in moss and so, even when they come all the way from Nova Scotia here to me in Manitoba they are fresh and do wonderful here later. He looks at all the prices of the hosta suppliers in Canada and then, sets his prices to be generally lower than them. He has about 800 (?) varieties to choose from and does not need to charge taxes like many other hosta suppliers do. He does the farmer's market in Halifax, bringing his hosta and other perennials for sale there. In spring he has a $15 flat shipping fee to Manitoba and so, I once again, have a large order going into him.
...See More
Ratings of online retailers/gardens
Q
Comments (7)
There is a new eBay vendor who doesn't realize how excessively big her divisions are. She advertizes the largest divisions on eBay and she isn't kidding. Look for Beth Wright. I have just bought a 2nd flush of hosta for her. They're big enough to divide with another trader online, plus 2 others. Unbelievable. Christine
...See More
Buying Sansevierias online from Europe
Q
Comments (1)
Just a few questions down from here is one titled, "Whitney and Nelsonii". One of the last comments is from Irina Kravchuk. She lives in Europe and has an amazing collection. You should message her and ask.
...See More
Viqar
Original Author
21 years ago
I'll look at these nurseries. Thank you for looking these up.
rita_f
21 years ago
Viqar, if you are in Treviso why don't you go to Priola nursery.
Priola - Azienda Agricola
Via delle Acquette, 4 - 31100 Treviso
Tel. 0422.304096 - Fax 0422.301859
web: www.priola.it - e-mail: info@priola.it

I don't know if they have what you are looking for, but they have so many nice things that I am sure you'll find some you like.
Ciao Rita
Viqar
Original Author
21 years ago
Ciao Rita

Thanks for the link. This is a great nursery and I really like their Iris collection. It never came up in my google searches. This is a very good resource.

Thanks again

Viqar
Viqar
Original Author
21 years ago
I visited the Priola over the weekend. Apparently it is only a 10 minutes drive from my home but so well hidden behind a military barrack and shielded by a villa that you won't find it unless you know its there.

It is an absolute jewel with all of the common and rare plants it offers. Their Iris selection is amazing but it's not the only collection they have. I think I'll be visiting them regularly now. What I can get there should keep me occupied for a long time. Thanks for suggesting this nursery.

Viqar.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Is an Online Decorator Right for You?

By Laura Gaskill

For a professional look at a lower price and from the convenience of home, e-decorating may be the perfect solution

PRODUCT PICKS Easy Green: 20 Top Online Ecofriendly Shops

By Laura Gaskill

Find whatever you need for the ecofriendly home, from organic fabrics to nontoxic paint, from the online sellers in our wide-ranging roundup

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: It All Started With a Rug

By Nanette Wong

One floor covering from Kazakhstan inspires a whole global vibe in a traveler’s San Francisco apartment

BEDROOMS Room of the Day: Master Bedroom Makeover on a Lean Budget

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Creative use of online retailers helps transform a lackluster room into a light and beautifully finished space

MOST POPULAR Blast Decluttering Roadblocks Once and for All

By Laura Gaskill

Change your thinking to get the streamlined, organized home of your dreams

ACCESSORIES Found Objects: The Most Natural Decor of All

By Becky Harris

They're beautiful, plentiful and best of all, free. See how to turn surprise finds into uniquely personal displays

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Handy Finds for Painting Projects of All Kinds

By Decor Adventures

Make over rooms and furniture more easily and with better results with the right paint and gear

KITCHEN DESIGN Hot Seats! 12 Great Bar Stools for All Kitchen Styles

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Seek some hide, go backless, pick a swivel or a footrest — these stools let you belly up to the bar or island however you like

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Fab Outdoor Finds, Almost All Under $100

By The Collected Interior

Sprinkle these budget-friendly furniture, decor and tableware pieces around a porch or patio for an easy warm-weather update

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Evergreen Huckleberry Appeals All Year

Spring flowers and summer berries are only half the story with Vaccinium ovatum, a versatile Pacific Northwest native plant

Sponsored