Although billed as a garden centre, there is an important attitude here that lifts it above the…read morepansies and roses standard stuff and nearer to a proper nursery - they have a policy of trying to use mostly local growers. This means not only do you get some unusual plants making it a horticultural goodie bag for gardeners, but you also get plants that are used to the local climate. Plants range in size - there are some great specimen plants here to have a more instant garden feel as well as cheaper younger plants. All are in great condition with plenty of roots to the point where if you choose wisely you can split them and get two plants for the price of one. They have a bargain corner of those which have gone over but will come back in a few seasons or with a good pruning, so if you know your stuff then you can pick up a real bargain. The plants area outside is set out in handy sections - so if you have a shady corner where everything you plant dies then head to the back and there is a whole section of plants that will love that area. The staff are very happy to help, knowledgeable and perpetually cheery. The garden centre-y bit is well stocked, with the focus on what you can use now well-displayed. The cafe is always busy as the owners know that nothing goes better than pottering round a nursery with friends is to sit down and natter afterwards.

Cooperatively owned, Riverside Garden Centre is much better than it's more commercial peers…read more They've got an excellent (Bristol's largest, in fact) array of plants, both indoor and out, with a bargain section that I keep a sharp eye on. The emphasis is on locally sourced stuff, so you're unlikely to get something flown in from South Africa that's going to die within a fortnight. The staff are all chipper and friendly, and will answer your questions no matter how basic they are. The views over the River Avon and of the Suspension Bridge really are second to none. Add to this a café with absolutely scrumptious cake and you've got somewhere that's worth a visit even if you're not planning to pick up any plants (though that's not to say you won't).

Based a little way East of hard core Bristol this garden centre is a little different! It almost…read morereminds me of the plant sanctuary type places you see on holiday. As well as all the standard range of indoor, outdoor and water plants they also offer some rather unusual furniture and garden ornaments, including some animal themed ones! There's a real nice tea shop where I sampled a delicious slice of Victoria Sandwich Cake. They're website details the flowers and plants they stock so it's a good idea to check if they've got what your after before you make the journey there.

Bit of a weird one, and I don't normally frequent garden centres, but my encounter with this place…read morewas unusual I want to share it. Totem poles and serious-looking masks glowered at the entrance, and I crept past to an oasis of water features, palm trees and funky looking plants. There's a tiny florists shop, a desert-mock up with sand, cactus and wheelbarrows, and all manner of Buddha statues and incense burners. Architectural junk sits amidst trees and herbs (some that have lasted for several months in my garden and I'm far from green-fingered!) Long outbuildings house mirrors, terracota pots and rugs - all bright and inexpensive. Best bit: homemade lemon cake and a pot of proper char in the cafe. Well, all that gardening is thirsty work afterall!

My recent hobby of Tropical Fish keeping led me to Almondsbury Garden Centre just last weekend -…read morethey have a really good Aquatics section with everything you need to start and maintain a fish tank. With a rather impressive range of fish there is a lot to choose from - I would suggest reading up on the old fact sheets before going here as on one of my visits there wasn't anybody there who really knew their stuff. Having said this, on the second time there was! If you're going for a particular fish in mind it's really worth calling before hand as all new deliveries have to make if through a period of observation before they'll let you take them home. Aside from the fish the centre is positively brimming with all garden related necessities and accessories - I think I might go back in the spring to buy seeds for growing my own tomatoes / cucumbers / strawberries!

Having grown up in Bristol, I've been to this place countless times with my parents on boring…read moresunday trips out. As I got older though, I finally realised what a really good garden centre it is. It's basically massive, with a wide variety of plants on the outside section, from roses to small trees. It's got three sections - the main bit as you walk in, which houses garden furniture, indoor plants, seeds, cards, books (and the other more random items big garden centres tend to stock) and a really nice cafe, ideal for a cup of tea and flapjack on a sunday afternoon. Outside, it's got a really big patio area which contains most of the plants, with three large greenhouses to the top left of the patio. In here is an excellently stocked water department, selling fish, ponds, pumps and general water gardening paraphernalia. The young guy who runs this department is extremely friendly and really very helpful - he's advised on a few pump issues at my folks' house over the years. Check out the view over to the Severn bridge on the road that leads to the centre, it's phenomenal!

Amazing nursery with top quality trees and shrubs. Be warned this has no frills, the nursery is…read morebare track and outside so wrap up warm with sensible footwear. With their stock best planted in autumn, winter and spring you will find this nursery is shut on Saturdays during July and August. You can buy whole lengths of hedging here, as well as young to mature trees including ornamental, conifer and fruit trees. I have bought an unusual cherry variety here and it was in great condition and now living happily in my garden. They also supplied me with the equipment to stake the tree securely and lots of advice on looking after it - although it has pretty much been left to fend for itself and is growing so much each year. You can get plants delivered - expect to pay 10% of the bill (minimum charges apply plus VAT) - or they are very helpful at getting things into your car! I can't recommend this place enough - specialist nurseries should always be chosen over garden centres and if you are spending this amount of money on one plant then you want to ensure it has a healthy enough start. Talking of prices, my boyfriend was shocked to pay £70 for a tree.. until I pointed out that the nursery had grown this from seedling and cared for it for several years already and that it will last us a lifetime. You can buy smaller whips from here if your budget is tight but you will have to wait a few years before you get a proper tree in your garden.

FANTASTIC customer service - surpassed my expectations! When a national on line hedge supplier let…read moreme down, I turned to Chew Valley Trees to help. I had been waiting for two weeks with the other supplier until I became so fed up I cancelled the order. I was amazed when CVT said they would deliver to me the next day. Highly recommended.

Having only recently moved into a new house I have been eager to find somewhere that sells a good…read morerange of plants and herbs, that isn't Tesco or IKEA. In The Garden Shop of Henleaze I have found just that, and more. A haven for any plant or flower lover, the outside of this store is packed wall to wall with every herb, bulb, seed, sprouting and flower you can imagine. With garden furniture, garden ponds and greenhouses to boot I was blown away by the choice - and this was just outside. Inside the store is every dog food, accessory, bird box, item of gardening clothing - anything you would expect from a high quality good sized garden centre in a smaller more personal shop. An enormous selection of shallots (I love 'em) and a plethora of information behind the counter - come here for all your gardening needs.

So, I came here and asked for, "Some of those terrecotta dishes that you put under plant pots"…read more Without blinking an eye the shop assistant pointed me in the right direction - where I found many dishes of many different sizes. I'll always tempted to buy a plant from here when I fill up at the next door petrol station, but I have to say, not that I know very much about plant/garden shops - but this one seems quite expensive. Good but expensive. I guess it"s a case of the old you get what you pay for1

This is a very large garden centre situated in West Monkton, just to the East of Taunton. It has a…read morelovely range of trees and outdoor plants, plus an enormous gift centre with crockery, local foodstuffs, etc. The cafe sells nice cakes and a wide range of cold and hot drinks.

From the owner: Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centreread more

I actually came across this nursery because it sells riding gear such as hats, headcollars, bits,…read moreriding gloves and saddles - but first and foremost it is, of course, a nursery. It offers a good balance of practical and ornamental gardening products, and the staff are on hand to offer planting advice if you need it - with less 'tat' than you find at some other big garden centres. Apart from selling plants, trees, shrubs and flowers, Oakley Green is also well-known for its huge range of pots, containers and garden ornaments - there are literally thousands lined up, in every shape and colour, and I love rooting around to find something a bit different for our patio. You can also pick up the usual gardening essentials such as compost, tools, fencing materials and sheds - plus even some children's play equipment, log cabins and conservatories. If you live around Westerleigh there's no need to venture further afield for plants or garden gear, as they sell everything you need. Oh, and they claim the on-site Acorn Café does a good Sunday roast - but I can't vouch for that as I haven't tried it myself.

I love this lady, she used to have a shop down the road from me in Staple Hill, but has now moved…read moreto the altogether more funky and creative Paintworks business park. Boo for me but hurrah for her. She now has the space to hold workshops on flower arranging - they cost just £35 for an hour and half lesson including all the materials. She also has wedding events for those looking for ideas for that occasion. The staff all produce lovely bouquets and seem to be genuinely excited about putting something together when you go in and pick out some flowers. They have won gold medals at Chelsea Flower Show - its not just gardens at the RHS show in London, they have a huge floral marquee attracting florists from around the world and to win a gold is remarkable stuff.