What should I ask about a garden centre’s growers and wholesale plant suppliers?

Plants come from many places, and a garden centre often leans on a few growers for its best sellers. Ask for the supplier list and a rough split of what each one provides. If one grower supplies the core range, the shop depends on that grower more than it may seem.

Ask how ordering works. Are orders placed months before the season? Are quantities fixed or adjustable? How does the shop deal with short shipments, sick plants or late deliveries? A supplier who stands behind poor stock is worth knowing about, and so is one who does not.

Find out how long relationships have lasted and whether anything is written down. Ask about credit terms, deposits and any early-order discounts. Check if the owner has personal arrangements that might not follow the business. Ask whether imported or out-of-region plants need special paperwork, and have your lawyer or adviser explain any rules that apply. Then ask the owner to introduce you to the main suppliers, so you can hear directly how they see the account and whether they expect to continue. Ask whether any grower has ever refused an order.

Key takeaways

• Get the supplier list and a rough split of what each grower provides.
• Ask how orders, short shipments and sick plants are handled in practice.
• Meet the main suppliers to learn whether they expect to keep supplying a new owner.