A somewhat indistinct group, they can be small or large with varying levels of service and stock.
When buying from grower-retailers the plants are much fresher and in better condition, and because there are no transport costs, prices can be lower.
They may sell stock from other nurseries but because they are growers they tend to look after the bought in stock better.
Grower retailers should be supported, the local product reduces transport.
They employ local staff and have good plant knowledge and fresh product.

How to tell if they are grower retailers?

Have a look at the plant displays, you will often find the plants and benches spaced as if on a nursery. Plants will be similar in shape or pot size, a normal garden centre is likely to have bought plants from many suppliers so they will have a wide range of sizes, shapes, prices and sizes.

You may find newly potted stock waiting to grow, the old stock will be topped up with fresh compost. This is a good sign, it shows the staff understand how to look after plants and are not just shelf stackers.

Look for information about the garden centre, they may have storyboards about the nursery.

Ask the staff about the plants, many will have helped grow them. They will be able to recognise plants that need feeding and have the knowledge to treat them.

Some good indicator plants are pack bedding, conifers, box & evergreen shrubs when they have been starved of food the leaves change colour and take a very long time (6-12 months) to recover.

You can’t just go by the size of the garden centre, although many grower retailers are small you will find some large garden centres are also grower-retailers.