Bailey's of Wistow
Leicester, Leicestershire
Directory / Garden Centres / Leicestershire
39 garden centres listed in Leicestershire.
Leicestershire has dozens of garden centre and nursery listings, and around half of them carry a Leicester address. Those Leicester entries cover the villages and outskirts around the city as well as the city itself, so there are options on most sides of it. Beyond that, Lutterworth and Stapleton have a couple each, with others in Coalville, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Ibstock, Markfield, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Sharnford, Sapcote, Countesthorpe and Blaby.
The south west of the county, around Hinckley and Lutterworth, is particularly well served. Greenacres Garden Centre is in Stapleton, Palmers at Ullesthorpe is in Ullesthorpe and Sharnford Garden Centre is in Sharnford. To the north west, Thornton Nurseries is listed in Coalville. Several family nurseries appear alongside the larger garden centres, which gives gardeners a mix of places to shop for bedding, perennials and trees across the county.
Where they are: Leicester (21), Lutterworth (2), Stapleton (2), Ashby-de-la-Zouch (1), Blaby (1), Coalville (1), Countesthorpe (1), Derby (1), Ibstock (1), Market Harborough (1), Markfield (1), Melton Mowbray (1) and more.
Leicester, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Blaby, Leicestershire
Countesthorpe, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Derby, Leicestershire
Lutterworth, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Oakham, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Stapleton, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Stapleton, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Nottingham, Leicestershire
Lutterworth, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Ullesthorpe, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Markfield, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Sapcote, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Sharnford, Leicestershire
Ibstock, Leicestershire
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire
Coalville, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Leicester, Leicestershire
Much of Leicestershire sits on heavy clay, left behind by glaciers, which holds nutrients well but sticks in winter and cracks in a dry summer. Digging in plenty of organic matter, such as well rotted manure or soil conditioner, makes a real difference over a few seasons. Roses, asters, hydrangeas and many shrubs grow well on clay once it is improved. Charnwood Forest in the north west has thinner, more acid soils over rock in places. Being well inland, the county can see hard frosts, so check the hardiness of tender plants and wait until late May before putting out summer bedding.
With so many options around Leicester, it pays to be picky. Ask whether a nursery grows plants on site or buys them in, as home grown stock is often already used to local conditions. Look at the roots of a pot or two if staff allow it: white, healthy roots beat a tight brown tangle. For clay soil, check that the centre sells bulk soil improver and grit, and whether it delivers by the bag or by the bulk bag. Seasonal offers on bedding and perennials vary a lot between centres, so comparing two nearby is worthwhile.
Garden UK lists 39 garden centres in Leicestershire, spread across 17 towns and villages including Leicester, Lutterworth, Stapleton. Each listing shows the address and contact details on file, and owners can claim their listing to add opening hours and photos.
Roses, hardy geraniums, asters, rudbeckias, hydrangeas, viburnums and most fruit trees all do well on improved clay. Add organic matter each year, avoid digging when the ground is wet, and the soil will become easier to work over time.
Late May is the usual safe point for frost tender bedding. Inland gardens in the county can still see a cold night in mid May, so harden plants off for a week or two before planting and keep fleece handy.
Bare root trees, sold from late autumn to early spring, are cheaper and establish well on moisture holding clay. Potted trees can be planted all year but need more watering in their first summer, particularly if the clay dries and cracks.
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