There are several garden centres in Denham and they tend to be on the small size selling bedding plants, shrubs and other normal plants. On the day we visited TenderCare we had previously visited a couple of other nurseries in the area and size-wise they were unsurprising. When we parked outside TenderCare Nurseries however we were not sure we were at the correct address.

The entrance was almost like an office entrance and there were no plants, trolleys or compost bags outside the front entrance. We continued in and asked where the plants area was and were very politely told that this was not really a normal garden centre or nursery. TenderCare specialise in supplying large trees and plants to the horticultural trade. They are open to the average member of the public but in reality unless you have £200 plus to spend then this is not the place for you.

The site in Denham occupies a staggering 18 acres of sales area and there is an additional 4 acres in another nearby area. We didn't have £200 to spend on plants, however we were warmly welcomed and told they were quite happy for us to browse around their plants area. None of the plants or trees have prices attached to them, rather you are offered a price list which identifies each individual plant by location.

 

To get to the plants area you need to pass through large and immaculately kept offices (click the picture on the left to enlarge it) and then to the outside. On entering the plants area we began to understand the size of the TenderCare growing and display area. We also began to understand why special clients are taken around the area in golf buggies! To see the entire area would occupy an energetic walking day.

 

The choice of large plants and trees must be one of the best in the UK, a landscaper's paradise. At the Denham site there are around 100,000 large plants and trees. In the 2012 Chelsea Flower Show no less than seven of the show gardens used plants supplied by TenderCare. Their plants appear in numerous locations, many television shows, Wimbledon 2012 Tennis and many more.

To sum up, if you want one or more large plants or trees then make TenderCare your first port of call. They can supply single specimens or huge numbers of them. With large plants it's important to plant and cultivate them correctly. TenderCare offer an expert planting service and will supply you with all the information needed for ongoing cultivation.

Click here for opening times at TenderCare Nurseries.