The Plantsman's Preference

The Plantsman's Preference Mail order and retail nursery growing a wide range of Hardy Geraniums, Ornamental Grasses and new, rare & unusual perennials. South Lopham, Diss, Norfolk.

We have been selling an extensive range of Hardy Geraniums and Ornamental Grasses as well as many new, rare and unusual perennials (particularly those suitable for shade) since 1996, mail order since 1998 and online since 2000. We probably have the largest collection of Hardy Geraniums for sale in the UK, with at least 200 different varieties over the course of a year. We also grow a small, choice

, selection of shrubby plants has been added, particularly those from the Caprifoliaceae. The most important factors in our choice of what plants we grow have always been; good garden value, growable, and possibly most important - we have to like it! We are particularly keen that plants should get on with it without lots of fussing from the gardener so we generally do not grow anything that needs staking or deadheading! Our online shop enables you to buy securely from anywhere in the UK or EU. The website includes a sophisticated Plant Selector to enable those not so sure of what to buy to narrow down the selection a bit!

New to our range and possibly the longest plant name: Molinia caerulea ssp arundinacea 'Heinrich's Dauerstrahl'.It's th...
06/06/2026

New to our range and possibly the longest plant name: Molinia caerulea ssp arundinacea 'Heinrich's Dauerstrahl'.

It's the first yellow(ish) variegated form of the taller purple moor grass with flowers to a potential 1.8m. It is really slow growing though!

If you like big or tall plants have you tried Tanacetum macrophyllum? Chunky leaves and big heads of cream flowers to 1....
04/06/2026

If you like big or tall plants have you tried Tanacetum macrophyllum? Chunky leaves and big heads of cream flowers to 1.8m or more. Tolerant of a wide range of conditions and especially drought.

Clump forming but can seed around a bit, the seedlings are easy to recognise and remove if you don't want them!

Still sometimes sold as Achillea grandifolia but that is much smaller (1m) and usually has a greyer leaf and dirty white flower.

New Geranium 'Cally Frost' available for the first time now. Frosty variegated spring foliage turns more normal by the t...
02/06/2026

New Geranium 'Cally Frost' available for the first time now. Frosty variegated spring foliage turns more normal by the time the light purple flowers start to appear from now until early autumn.

Like many hybrids you can cut it back hard mid season if you want to tidy it up. Clump forming to 45-60cm tall and 60-90cm spread depending on how good your soil is!

Masses of lovely flowers on Disporopsis nova looking good this year. A light but sweet, almost fruity scent of you get y...
01/06/2026

Masses of lovely flowers on Disporopsis nova looking good this year. A light but sweet, almost fruity scent of you get your nose down to it!

A tough evergreen for deep shade, the tallest species of Disporopsis we grow.

I was very lucky to be able to go to the opening of the Walled garden .end yesterday. The overall progress, attention to...
31/05/2026

I was very lucky to be able to go to the opening of the Walled garden .end yesterday. The overall progress, attention to detail and quality of hard landscaping is pretty amazing. Lots for the plant nerd in me too! Well done to
and team.

Always fun looking for plants you've supplied when visiting a garden...

Eryngium x zabellii 'Forncett Ultra' emerging from the foliage of Stipa pseudoichu. The Eryngium will turn brilliant blu...
28/05/2026

Eryngium x zabellii 'Forncett Ultra' emerging from the foliage of Stipa pseudoichu. The Eryngium will turn brilliant blue as it matures.

Annoyingly it resists attempts to produce any number of young plants with very low success rates. We will keep trying!

Possibly the most asked about plant Open Garden on Monday was this Woad, Isatis tinctoria transitioning into seed. Righ...
27/05/2026

Possibly the most asked about plant Open Garden on Monday was this Woad, Isatis tinctoria transitioning into seed. Right next to my stall so I heard all the discussion, and confusion with the Tetrapanax sucker at its base!

Have to admit it was really effective against that pink wall.

All set up ready for opening at 11am for at Mansard House in Bardwell. I'm in between the walled garden and the tea&cak...
25/05/2026

All set up ready for opening at 11am for at Mansard House in Bardwell. I'm in between the walled garden and the tea&cake!

The Cedric Morris iris look great and the new sand bed is full of interesting plants. Lots to see and plenty in the shade if you want to escape the heat!

A few of the plants I'll be taking to Open Garden for today. 11am to 5pm, Mansard House, Bardwell IP31 1AR.Knautia mac...
25/05/2026

A few of the plants I'll be taking to Open Garden for today. 11am to 5pm, Mansard House, Bardwell IP31 1AR.

Knautia macedonica 'Melton Pastels'
Phlox glaberrima 'Bill Baker'
Paris incompleta
Corydalis flexuosa Norman's Seedling
Crambe maritima

Plenty more!

I've probably posted this already but it's still flowering, so here you go...Iris variegata var reginae. One of the wil...
21/05/2026

I've probably posted this already but it's still flowering, so here you go...

Iris variegata var reginae. One of the wild type bearded Iris similar in size to an Intermediate hybrid. Variable from seed so you can have fun choosing your favourite or buy one in flower to get the firm you prefer. If course I've sold out again...

Address

Church Road, South Lopham
Diss
IP222

Opening Hours

Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+447799855559

Website

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