Mail Order FAQs

Everything you need to know about ordering plants by mail from Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants.

Not sure what to order? Use our filters to find plants suited to your growing conditions, search by name using the magnifying glass, or browse alphabetically using our Genus A–Z. You can also filter to show in-stock plants only. For a more in-depth guide to using our website, see our Finding your plants page.

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Ordering

How do I place a mail order?
Browse our range online, add to your basket, and checkout. It's that simple.

Will I receive a confirmation email?
Yes — you'll receive an order confirmation email as soon as your order is placed, followed by a dispatch notification when your plants are on their way. If you don't see either email, please check your junk or spam folder as they can occasionally be filtered there. If you still can't find it, get in touch and we'll confirm your order manually.

Can I collect my order instead of having it delivered?
Yes — at checkout you can switch from delivery to in-store collection. This is a great option if you're planning a visit to the nursery and would like your plants ready and waiting for you.

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Stock Availability

We use specific terms across our website to describe plant availability:

Temporarily Unavailable
You may see this label on plant listings in our collections. It means the plant is currently unavailable to order but is not gone for good — we grow all our own plants and restock throughout the season. Open the individual plant page to see more detail on when it will be available again.

Back Soon
Shown on the plant page when stock will be available again within 2–4 weeks.

In Propagation
We are actively growing this plant and it will be available to order within the current growing season.

Available Summer 2027
This plant is scheduled for sale in Summer 2027 and is not yet available to order.

Can I be notified when a plant is available?
Yes! Use the Notify Me When Back in Stock button on any plant page showing Temporarily Unavailable and we'll email you as soon as it's ready to order.

Grown here, sent to you

This is our stock growing area in June — a snapshot of the range we have growing at any one time. As growers, every plant you order comes direct from us, grown outdoors in the Hampshire air, which means your plants arrive tough, well-conditioned, and ready to go straight into the ground.

You'll spot plenty of plants in full flower here — and you may notice some that aren't always available to order online. At certain times of year, taller or more delicate varieties can only be purchased in person, either at the nursery or at the plant fairs and shows we attend throughout the year. If you see something you love, it's always worth getting in touch.

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Delivery

When will my order be dispatched?
We dispatch on set days each week to keep plants in the best condition. You'll receive an email notification when your order is on its way.

How are plants packaged?
Carefully packed to minimise movement and stress in transit, using sustainable packaging wherever possible.

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Where We Deliver

Where do you deliver?
We deliver to mainland England, Scotland, and Wales. We're unable to deliver to Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or the Scottish Highlands and Islands due to extended transit times. Our full shipping policy inc. delivery charges

Do you ship internationally?
Not currently — plant health regulations and welfare during transit make this impractical.

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Pot Sizes

What size pots do your plants come in?
We sell in two pot sizes: 1 Litre and 3 Litre. Where both sizes are available for a plant, you can select your preferred size on the product page. The images below give you a sense of scale for each pot size.

Approximate pot dimensions:

• 1 Litre: 12cm wide × 11cm deep
• 3 Litre: 18cm wide × 15.5cm deep

Please note: dimensions are approximate. We occasionally source pots from different manufacturers depending on availability, so sizes may vary slightly.

 

Our 3 litre pots — bigger plants, bigger impact

Here you can see one of our team holding a 3 litre pot of Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' — notice how much more substantial it is compared to the 1 litre pot above. These are generous, well-established plants that will make an immediate impression in your garden.

You'll also notice that beautiful tall flower stem. To fit your plant safely into its box for the journey to you, we may need to remove overly tall flower stems before packing. Depending on the time of year, you may still catch some blooms once your plant is settled — but either way, you'll have a strong, healthy plant ready to get established and perform for years to come.

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Plant Condition

What condition will my plants arrive in?
Plants are dispatched healthy and well-packed. If they look a little tired after their journey, give them a good drink and they'll soon perk up.

Will my plants look like the photos?
Our photographs show plants at their best — typically in full flower. The plant you receive will be healthy and well-grown but is unlikely to be in full flower at the time of dispatch. This is perfectly normal and to be expected with mail order plants.

Why might my plant have been cut back?
Occasionally, if a plant has grown too tall to pack safely without damage, we will cut it back before dispatch. This is done with care and will not harm the plant — cutting back actually helps it to establish more quickly, as the plant can put its energy into developing its root system rather than producing flowers.

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Returns & Issues

What if my plants arrive damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we'll resolve it promptly.