On 4 Jan 2011 at 1:49pm Alanis wrote:
Anyone know where you can get housplants in Lewes? I know about Homebase, Waitrose & Tesco's (and the out of town garden centres) but would like to get them from a smaller shop, maybe one of the florists.
Thanks
On 4 Jan 2011 at 2:29pm gardener wrote:
How about from, errrrm, one of the florists
On 4 Jan 2011 at 2:45pm Alanis wrote:
Thank you for your fantastically witty and helpful answer. I am indebted to you.
The last time went to the florists opposite the castle (can't remember the name), they had almost no houseplants and so I was hoping that the collective knowledge of the users of this forum would be able to help out with some positive suggestions.
On 4 Jan 2011 at 4:03pm Happy Shopper wrote:
I know you said you know about Homebase but I was in there today and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of really healthy houseplants there are in there.
I used to work in a shop that sold plants and being a houseplant lover I used to make sure dead leaves were removed etc,but usually shop staff do not have the time to do this.I picked out a Monstera today (cheeseplant-large!) marked down with a sticker from 9.99 to 4.99.When I paid for it I asked if I could have a discount seeing as a leaf was hanging off and she gave me 10% off....
I think they must have just had a delivery in as they were looking really nice.
Large palms were £14.99,Boston ferns were 8.99...Varigated weeping figs were I think £14,99.I only bought 1 but if I had more cash I would have bought a load.
Bootsales are often a good source of plants. Also I spotted some nice plants outside the pet shop down the Cliffe.Fur Feather and Fins is it?
I bought 2 huge palms from E Bay a few weeks back from E Bay.They used to be in an office and were really big.£10 each.Bargain !!
On 4 Jan 2011 at 4:09pm Planty McPlant wrote:
The florist oposite the castle is Hilary Moore and has never had much of anything in there, even more so since the new owner took over who seems to not have a clue about running a florist. I believe that both Riverside Flowers and Miss Bloomsbury have a few houseplants but it's not really the sort of thing florists stock in great volume, you really are much better off at a garden centre, in terms of range anyway. That new place Fleur de The might have some plants, I can't say I've ever been in there though.
On 4 Jan 2011 at 4:11pm Alanis wrote:
That's great Happy Shopper, many thanks for the useful advice and the feedback on the quality of plants. I'll give both FFF and Homebase a try.
On 4 Jan 2011 at 4:14pm Alanis wrote:
Thanks also Planty McPlant. That's a shame about the Hilary Moore florist. I will have a look in town and if no joy then the garden centres.
I knew I could count on this forum to help out!
On 4 Jan 2011 at 6:35pm gardener wrote:
Sorry about the initial flippant response. I find the occasional gem in Tescos but a better selection in B&Q in Brighton. Don't forget McBeans orchids just up the road too, some lovely stuff in there and orchids are very easy to keep if you get the right variety.
What exactly are you looking for ?
On 4 Jan 2011 at 9:57pm Peter Byron wrote:
I must start to grow my own houseplants as I suspect neighbours here are doing ha ha. Best Peter 
On 5 Jan 2011 at 9:16am Alanis wrote:
Thanks for that Gardener, it's interesting that both B&Q and Homebase get mentioned as having good housplants. I expected the smaller shops to have a better selection but clearly not.
I'll also have a look at McBeans - not had much experience of houseplants so just wanting to see a range of what's available.
On 6 Jan 2011 at 12:26am Brixtonbelle wrote:
What about the mini nursery down the passage connecting Cliffe with the car park (Forgot the name). They might do some houseplants.
On 6 Jan 2011 at 6:13am Gardener wrote:
They are more hardy plants BB. The DIY shops tend to get a better selection because they will order a huge lorry full of mixed plants from Holland. They have their own buyers who go across and pick the plants and because they buy so much, they get it cheap. Once they get to the UK, the big lorry will drop the plants off at about 10-15 B&Qs all over the south.
On 6 Jan 2011 at 1:17pm brixtonbelle wrote:
You can also use more tender plants as house plants. Eg species geraniums love a sunny porch or windowsill.
On 6 Jan 2011 at 3:43pm kitty cat wrote:
Hi Alanis. Dont know where you live but the greengrocers in Ringmer is brilliant for pot plants. Give them a try x
On 10 Jan 2011 at 1:26pm Alanis wrote:
Hi Kitty Cat, thanks for the advice, which I've only just seen. Will give the Ringmer greengrocers a go the next time I'm there. This forum has a wealth of useful knowledge!