FAQs

Astilbes, Ajuga, Heuchera, Bergenia, Pulmonaria, Japanese Japonica, Aquilegia, Hellebores, hardy Cyclamen, Bluebells, Woodruff, Choisya, Fatsia, Hydrangeas, Holly, Chaemoneles are all plants that will tolerate a shady position.

Lavender, Rosemary, Callistemon, Echinacea, Verbena Bonariensis, Poppies, Hardy and annual Geraniums, Cordylines and UK native wildflowers.

There are a number of ways to keep slugs at bay…

Slugs and snails tend to avoid tough aromatic or textured plants such as sage, lavenders, rosemary and other aromatic herbs so it is worth interspacing them in your borders or fully investing in plants that are not attractive to them such as roses, hardy geraniums, penstemons, primroses, pulmonaria, sedums and foxgloves.

The use of sharp grit, eggshells and even old scouring pads around plants deters molluscs as they don’t like crawling over rough surfaces.

Wool pellets, which are sold at Brownes and scattered around delicate plants are another alternative.

We stock ‘Bronte’ pots which are raised over a moat and act as a barrier that slugs and snails are unable to cross. We are so confident in their effectiveness that we even plant Hostas – slugs favourite snack, in them and so far they remain untouched!

Homemade garlic spray! This involves soaking a few cloves of slightly crushed garlic (to release their volatile oils) into a spray bottle of water and letting them steep for 24 hours before spraying vulnerable plants, especially at dusk or after rain showers. Do a patch test first and apply regularly.

Place upturned planks of wood in beds where slugs might be present. They will seek out the darkness, cover and relative moisture underneath the wood, particularly during daylight hours. This is your chance to inspect the underside of the planks and remove any sleepy snails!

We are open Monday-Saturday from 9am - 5pm. We will close at 3pm on Christmas Eve. The garden centre will then be closed until January 2nd 2026.

January 2nd we will be open 10am - 4 pm.

We close at 3pm on Christmas Eve.