How Are Your Plants Delivered? A Step-by-Step Guide
Over the years, we’ve spoken to many customers who feel understandably anxious about their plant delivery—whether it’s the wait for their order to arrive or the condition of the plants upon unpacking. We completely understand these concerns, which is why we want to walk you through the entire delivery process in more detail than ever before.
Our goal is to eliminate any stress or uncertainty by helping you understand that plants are far more resilient than they might seem. The methods we use have been tried, tested, and are common industry practice to ensure your plants are delivered in the most environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and time-efficient way possible—all while arriving in top condition, ready to thrive in your garden.
During transit, plants may be stacked, laid down, wrapped, or even slightly compressed, but rest assured, this does not affect their health or quality. Some minor breakages, loose soil, or aesthetic changes may occur, but these are purely superficial and have no impact on the plant’s ability to establish and flourish once planted.
With years of experience, we’ve fine-tuned our delivery process into four main types to suit different plant sizes and order quantities. No matter what you’re ordering, we’ve made sure that shopping for your garden online is a smooth and enjoyable experience.
The way your plants are delivered depends on a few things: the type of plant, its size, how many you’ve ordered, and sometimes even how easy it is to access your location. In this guide, we’ll walk you through each delivery method so you know exactly what to expect when your plants arrive.
We’re always working to improve our service, so some details may change over time. For the most up-to-date delivery information, be sure to check our Delivery Information Page. But for now, this page gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how we get your plants safely to you!
Contents of This Article
Box Deliveries for Smaller Plants
If you’ve already placed an order or are thinking about ordering plants up to 70cm tall—whether pot-grown or bare-root—they will most likely be delivered by a courier service such as DHL or DX.
To keep your plants safe during transit, we carefully pack them lying down in recycled cardboard boxes. Each box is lined with a black sack, which helps with waterproofing and maintains the integrity of the box throughout the journey. We also secure the plants with recycled brown paper to minimise movement and prevent soil spillage.
Some shifting inside the box is completely normal, and your plants may be stacked on top of one another—but don’t worry! Plants are surprisingly resilient. A little movement, soil spillage, or slight pressure on the branches won’t cause any harm. Once unpacked and given a good drink, they’ll perk up within a day or two.
Your order will leave our nursery as quickly as possible and should arrive at your door within 24–48 hours.
Box Sizes and What They Are Used For
When a Pallet is used instead of a Box
Pallet Deliveries
How we stack and Secure Your Plants for Pallet Delivery
Stacking Method for Potted and Root-Ball Plants
Stacking Method for Bare-Root and Smaller Potted Plants
Why These Methods are Effective
Van Deliveries and Lorry Deliveries
Van Deliveries
For slightly oversized or delicate plants that still require individual handling, we use van deliveries. This is a flexible delivery option that allows us to safely transport large specimens while minimising handling risks. Van deliveries are usually conducted by our own team of experienced drivers who are familiar with transporting and handling large plants.
For slightly oversized or delicate plants that still require individual handling, we use van deliveries. This is a flexible delivery option that allows us to safely transport large specimens while minimising handling risks. Van deliveries are usually conducted by our own team of experienced drivers who are familiar with transporting and handling large plants. Unlike smaller boxed or pallet deliveries, van deliveries require good access to your property. Our drivers will deliver the plants curbside, meaning they will unload them from the van but will not move them to specific locations in your garden. While we take great care when loading and transporting plants, minor transport damage—such as a few small scratches, a broken branch, or slight shifting of the plant’s structure—may occasionally occur. If a pleached or trained tree structure has loosened, the van driver will be happy to adjust it for you upon arrival to ensure it remains supported.Lorry Deliveries
For the heaviest and largest plants—including mature trees, ancient specimens, and bulk orders of oversized plants—we use lorry deliveries. These are carried out by freight transport services that specialise in handling large and heavy goods.
Important Consideration for Lorry Deliveries
Lorry deliveries require extra preparation, as unloading these plants often involves multiple people or specialised equipment. Customers must be present to assist with unloading, as the lorry driver will not be able to move the plants alone. If the order is particularly large or heavy, you must ensure that a forklift or a sufficient number of people are available to unload safely. Additionally, it is important to check that your property has suitable access for a large lorry, as narrow roads, low-hanging trees, or other restrictions may prevent delivery.
Due to the scale of these deliveries, some handling damage may occur during transit. This could include small branches breaking, minor cosmetic scratches, or slight pressure marks from securing straps. However, these are purely aesthetic and will not affect the plant’s health or long-term growth. Once your plants are settled in the ground, any minor imperfections will quickly recover.
For slightly oversized or delicate plants that still require individual handling, we use van deliveries. This is a flexible delivery option that allows us to safely transport large specimens while minimising handling risks. Van deliveries are usually conducted by our own team of experienced drivers who are familiar with transporting and handling large plants. Unlike smaller boxed or pallet deliveries, van deliveries require good access to your property. Our drivers will deliver the plants curbside, meaning they will unload them from the van but will not move them to specific locations in your garden. While we take great care when loading and transporting plants, minor transport damage—such as a few small scratches, a broken branch, or slight shifting of the plant’s structure—may occasionally occur. If a pleached or trained tree structure has loosened, the van driver will be happy to adjust it for you upon arrival to ensure it remains supported.How to Responsibly Dispose of or Reuse Your Wooden Pallet, Black Pots, and Hessian in the UK
What to Do with Hessian Wrapped Around Root Balls
If your tree or shrub arrives with a hessian-wrapped root ball, you don’t need to remove the wrapping before planting. Hessian used for root balls is usually natural, untreated, and biodegradable, meaning it will break down in the soil over time. Keeping the hessian in place protects the roots during planting, reduces transplant shock, and helps the plant establish more effectively. Simply loosen the fabric slightly and ensure it’s fully buried underground so it decomposes properly.
In some cases, particularly in warmer weather, we may also use hessian sacks soaked in water to cover bare-root plants during transport. This helps retain moisture, protects delicate roots, and can even provide some weed suppression. These wet hessian sacks can either be composted or repurposed in the garden for mulch, frost protection, or erosion control.
Now that you know what to do with hessian, let’s explore the best ways to dispose of or reuse the other materials from your plant delivery.
Wooden Pallets
If You Don't Want to Keep Wooden Pallets
If you don’t have a use for the pallet yourself, there’s a good chance someone else will. Many gardeners, DIY enthusiasts, and businesses actively seek free pallets for various projects, from furniture making to compost bins. You can easily offer yours through local platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle, or Gumtree. Additionally, some garden centres and pallet recycling companies may accept used pallets, so it’s always worth checking with local suppliers.
If you’re based in Norfolk or Suffolk, we’re happy to take your pallets, pots, and hessian back. We can arrange a collection the next time we’re in your area, or if it’s more convenient, you’re welcome to drop them off on your next visit. This way, we can ensure they are reused or recycled responsibly, reducing waste and supporting a more sustainable gardening process.
Recycling Your Wooden Pallets
For those who prefer to recycle, many UK councils allow wooden pallets to be disposed of at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). However, regulations vary depending on location, so it’s best to check with your local council before taking a pallet to the recycling centre. If the pallet is broken beyond repair, dismantling it and using the wood for firewood, mulch, or wood chippings can be another sustainable alternative.
If you’re based in Norfolk or Suffolk, we’re happy to take your pallets, pots, and hessian back. We can arrange a collection the next time we’re in your area, or if it’s more convenient, you’re welcome to drop them off on your next visit. This way, we can ensure they are reused or recycled responsibly, reducing waste and supporting a more sustainable gardening process.
Black Plastic Pots
Recycling black plastic plant pots can be challenging, as many local recycling facilities struggle to process black plastics due to sorting difficulties. However, there are several ways to ensure they don’t go to waste.
The most sustainable option is to reuse them for gardening. They are perfect for potting up seedlings, propagating cuttings, or temporarily storing plants before transplanting them into the ground. If you have more than you need, many UK garden centres, including Dobbies, B&Q, and Blue Diamond, run plant pot recycling schemes, allowing you to drop off unwanted pots for responsible disposal.
We also accept black plastic pot returns. If you’re based in Norfolk or Suffolk, you’re welcome to return your used pots directly to us on your next visit, and we’ll ensure they are either reused or recycled responsibly.
If you prefer to check local recycling options, some councils now accept black plastic pots in household recycling bins—you can find out if yours does by visiting Recycle Now and entering your postcode. Alternatively, consider upcycling them for drainage covers in large planters, plant labels, or even as small shelters for garden wildlife.
Hessian Wrapping
Hessian is a natural, biodegradable material, making it one of the most eco-friendly packaging materials used in plant deliveries. It is commonly used in two ways: wrapped around root balls to support and protect the roots or soaked and used to cover bare-root plants during transit to retain moisture and prevent drying out.
If your tree or shrub arrives with hessian wrapped around its root ball, there’s no need to remove it before planting. The hessian will gradually decompose in the soil, allowing the roots to grow through it naturally while reducing transplant shock. However, it’s important to ensure that the hessian is fully buried underground so it can break down properly without restricting root growth.
For hessian that has been used as a moisture-retaining cover for bare-root plants, there are several responsible ways to dispose of or reuse it. If it is untreated and free from synthetic fibres, it can be added to a compost heap, where it will naturally degrade over time. Alternatively, hessian can be repurposed in the garden as mulch to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. During colder months, it can also be used to wrap tender plants, providing protection against frost and harsh weather conditions. Another sustainable option is using hessian for erosion control—laying it over exposed soil on slopes can help stabilise the ground and support new plant growth.
