With many trees and shrubs now in early spring, the garden is in a dormant state the bed And the borders look a little empty and sparse before everything grows again. But March can be a good time to take stock, and when the borders are empty, you can see where there are gaps and what might need filling.
After losing a huge shrub in one of my borders last summer, there is a huge gap that needs filling, and I had my eye on it. Buying a magnolia tree to fill the gap. Magnolias are the most impactful plants when they are in bloom, but buying mature plants can be quite expensive.
But with some savvy garden center shopping, I’ve managed to pick up good-sized magnolias at bargain prices, and early spring is a great time to pick up similar bargains.
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1. Check the clearance area
(Image credit: Future / Lisa Fazani)
March is when garden centers clear out any leftover winter stock to make room for the arrival of spring so it’s a great time to pick up any bargains.
Trees and shrubs that have been sitting there over the winter are still in a dormant stage in March, so they will look quite bare and unexciting, but as long as the plants are still healthy, once planted they will begin to actively grow again as the weather warms.
The magnolia I got was shrunk by 50%, so cost me less than £40, but is healthy and a generous size and will fill in over time when it grows back.
2. Visit early in the morning
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Persistence pays when you bargain. Visit garden centers early in the morning to get the best selection of plants as sales move quickly. And visit regularly, as stock often rotates and different plants are brought out at different times of the day or week.
And if you can, use any of the garden center rewards cards or special ‘double discount’ days to get even more money.
3. Buy bare root plants
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Another way to get an early-spring bargain is to buy bare native plants. These are sold without pots or soil around the roots and A very original rose And trees are usually a cheaper option (although they are dormant between November and March).
Because March is the last month of dormancy for bare root plants before the growing season resumes, it’s a good time to pick them up cheap as garden centers will often mark them down to clear out their stock.
4. Check before you buy
(Image credit: Future / Lisa Fazani)
While it’s good to take a bargain, always check that they’re healthy first Saving plants from sales area. If the plant is diseased or half dead it is not a deal.
Dormant plants should have strong, flexible stems that bend easily without breaking or feeling brittle. Do the ‘scratch test’ and use your fingernail to scratch a small section of stem – it should be green and moist underneath, rather than brown and dry.
Healthy roots should be firm, white or light in color and have a fairly earthy smell, not brown, slimy, sticky or very prickly.
The magnolia I bought has plenty of firm, inconspicuous buds, which will bloom in the spring when it starts growing again.
5. Ask the experts
Make friends with garden center staff if you visit often. They are super-knowledgeable about plants and happy to give advice before you buy. I have picked up some useful tips when choosing magnolias for my garden.
And if you’re a regular visitor, they can provide information about when plants are likely to be ‘marked down’.
6. Prepare to plant
(Image credit: Future / Lisa Fazani)
Be ready to plant as soon as you get the plants home, especially bare root plants. As a temporary measure plants can be ‘healed in’ which involves digging a shallow trench, placing the roots in and covering them with compost or sand to protect them and keep them moist.
Buy the necessary items for planting
Spear and Jackson stainless steel border spade
This spade is light in weight and has a small head for easy digging
Verve Ericaceous peat-free compost
Most magnolias prefer slightly acidic conditions so a peat-free compost like this will do the trick.
Make sure trees are secured when planting with tree stakes.
Do you have any money-saving tips when buying plants?
