Delivery

UK Mainland
We are Mail Order Specialists, so delivery is not a problem. We now offer two methods of delivery: a 24 hour carrier or a "man and van".

24 hour carrier
We have used a 24 hour carrier for many years. The plants leaves us one day and arrive with you the next. Yes, accidents can happen, but this system is fairly reliable. However, you do need to be aware that no carrier will insure plants these days. They consider them to be "perishable " items - and even if delay or damage is caused by their incompetence, there is no comeback from the carrier. Choosing this method of carriage implies acceptance of this risk and we will not be responsible for any damage that occurs in transit. We have chosen our carriers with great care and have worked with them for many years and found them to be reliable. Nevertheless, accidents can and do happen from time to time. However, it remains the most competitive method of transport for smaller orders.

Unfortunately due to ever increasing costs as the carriers streamline their system and increasingly dislike the larger packages that our plants often constitute, we have had to change our pricing structure again this year. It has become even more complicated and I totally appreciate that the definition of a "small" plant is open to interpretation. It is best therefore if you check with me first. I will need to be strict about this as I shall be using 2 different carriers, plus our "man and van", so sending payment with the wrong carriage charge is likely to result in delay as inevitably "problem" orders are put aside to be dealt with "later"...

• One Small plant to mainland England, Wales and southern Scotland - £16 
  Deliveries will be made by Interlink. Northern Scotland and the extreme west or islands need to be quoted for according to postcode. If you are uncertain, please ask. 
  

• Up to four 2litre plants or the equivalent (provided they do not exceed 1m in height, but not including "difficult to pack" plants) to mainland England, Wales  and southern Scotland - £21 
  These will be delivered by APC. Northern Scotland and the extreme west or islands need to be quoted for according to postcode. If you are uncertain, please ask. 

• Larger but packable orders (this could be a single taller plant like a birch for example, or 5 or 6 small plants) to mainland England, Wales  and southern Scotland - £26 
  These will be delivered by APC. Northern Scotland and the extreme west or islands need to be quoted for according to postcode. If you are uncertain, please ask. 
  

• Larger orders (or any order if you are unhappy about the alternative options)
  Whenever logistics permit, these will be delivered by "man and van". From £36 dependant on location and order volume.

"Man and Van"
We are using this service more and more. Justin has proved himself to be a real star! He collects the plants from us and we personally load them with him. He then drives to you and unloads them - simple! Thus they do not have to be packaged to withstand the rigours of a national carrier network where they are, with the best will in the world, shunted from one place to the next. Justin will phone you en route to sort any directional issues and to advise a delivery time. A truly personal service. The catch of course is that it is a little more expensive. With a single large plant to the London area currently starting at just £36, it is actually excellent value. Each order is quoted for based on its size and distance, but Justin goes all over the country and with a little patience even the remotest location can be reached. The main motorway corridors between Cornwall and London or the Midlands are covered each week.

I understand that carriage by whichever method is a lot for only one plant, but conversely, it becomes excellent value for a large order. Try combining orders with family or neighbours to make it more efficient. We have tried using the post in the past, and find the 24 hour service to be more reliable whilst Justin, my "man and van" takes out all the worry - both for you and me!

Collection is of course no problem. However, please remember that it is essential that we know you are coming. Do feel free to 'phone through your order in advance so that the plants can be ready for you. This in no way precludes you from spending as long as you wish in looking round, but does make the process quicker during busy times when availability of items needs to be checked and labels printed.

Offshore Islands
Unfortunately, due to the associated costs of ferries, carriage to "offshore islands" is more expensive. These include the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Scottish Islands, Channel Islands and Northern Ireland. I know you are all part of the UK and I apologise. However, it is out of my control. The cost for each destination is different, so please ask. However, I can tell you that it is calculated by weight. It is expensive for only one or two plants, but subsequent additions add very little extra, so a large order is considerably cheaper per plant than a small one.

Europe
Most of Europe is now covered by my carrier, and is amazingly cost effective. There is a height restriction of 1.5m on smaller consignments, so please check at the time of ordering. I can send larger plants, but they have to go "freight" which is only worth considering on a large order. Let me know what plants you are interested in and I will give you an idea of cost. Generally we dispatch abroad in the winter when we can remove loose compost from the rootball to minimise weight.  No Ministry certification is needed now, but there are a few plants that I am not allowed to send.

Rest of the World
These we send by Parcelforce. I prefer to use a Datapost service although it is more expensive because it is quicker and more reliable. As usual, the cost is determined by the weight and destination. A Phytosanitaire certificate will be needed, and in most cases the plants need to be rootwashed. These items will be charged extra. Please be aware that an import certificate may be required. This is something that you will need to arrange with your Government department, but I can give you contact numbers if you don't know who to speak to.

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