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This is a totally independent GardenAction opinion of
the Amerton Garden Centre, near Stafford. Click any
picture to enlarge it. PLANTS
Amerton garden centre is slightly different from
most garden centres. We visited it at the very end of April and were
surprised at the small number of bedding plants available. A
chat with the manager enlightened us. The garden centre relies on
the majority of its customers visiting as part of a day out at
Amerton Farm and Craft Centre. These visitors are unlikely to buy
bedding plants but would browse around the centre and buy slightly
unusual herbaceous or shrub plants.
So, we will judge this garden centre on that basis. The range of
shrubs and herbaceous plants was large for a garden centre of this
size and they do stock some unusual specimens. The majority of the
herbaceous plants are home grown on the sister site at Bradley. Nice
to see that Amerton is one of the few garden centres who grow their
own stock locally rather than buy them in or distribute them 100s of
miles up and down the motorways.
The plants all looked extremely healthy although there was no
advertised hardy plant guarantee. The outdoor area was more
attractive than most with maximum interest being extracted from
the plants on display. PRICES Amerton's prices were slightly higher than average. An example
shopping basket is shown below. Don't make Amerton's your "everyday"
garden centre, they don't pretend to aim at that market. But pay them a
visit and you are likely to find more interesting plants than normal.
Rose, 3 litre pot
�6.49 upwards
Common shrub (e.g. potentilla, hebe)
�5.99
Clematis
�7.29 upwards
Runner Bean seeds (4m)
�2.65 (Johnsons)
Multipurpose 75l
�3.99 (J Arthur Bowers)
Stainless steel fork
not sold
Economy spade
not sold
Phosphrogen 1.25 kg
�4.87
Tomorite 1 litre
�4.99
Large cup of coffee in cafe
�1.40
Amerton Garden Centre, Stafford
This is a garden centre where you felt at ease browsing amongst
the plants rather than walking along regimented rows. The main
paths were solid paving stones and wide enough for wheelchair
access in all areas.