Let's face it, internet shopping is amazing. Apparently these days you can even order half a dozen eggs on an app on your phone and they'll be with you in just an hour or two, if you are lucky (or unlucky) enough to live in a bustling metropolis. However here at RV Roger we still firmly believe there's a place for a traditional bricks and mortar approach, where you can see, smell and touch the plants and speak to actual humans who are only too happy to help you.
We always had a retail space of some sort - at one time we had shops in Pickering and Scarborough, and for many years we attended the weekly market at nearby Helmsley. For the past 40 years we have had our Plant Centre here just south of Pickering, which we have worked hard to develop and extend. It keeps us in touch with our customers, and allows you to browse a huge range of plants, trees, bulbs and seeds at your leisure. Perhaps most importantly, we have a highly knowledgeable team who can advise you on all aspects of planting, growing and pruning, and will take the time to make sure you choose the right plant for your needs.
Its important to note that the range in the Plant Centre is not the same as the plants we offer on our website - please don't assume that because we list it on our site it is available to buy in the Plant Centre. Mainly this is because we just don't have room - the nursery is over 200 acres and we can grow many more varieties and sizes in the fields than we can find room for at the Plant Centre. It's also down to seasonal availability, as different crops are ready at different times of the year.
However you will always find a vast and ever-changing range of trees, shrubs, flowers, bulbs and seeds, including some rare and unusual plants. Our displays try to showcase those plants which are looking particularly good, and to give you ideas on combinations of plants which will do well together. We try and stock a huge range of outdoor pots, terracotta, ceramic and salt-glazed in all sizes, from bonsai to enormous tree pots. Our restored Cambridge greenhouse will be full of colour - often plants which might need a little protection from the worst of the Yorkshire weather. We also have a small range of houseplants and indoor pots, as well as Hays watering cans, tools, pesticides and fertilisers.
From January to March, we'll have a range of evergreens to add colour to the winter garden, and over 80 different varieties of seed potato for sale - one of the largest ranges in the country. From Easter onwards the centre is a mass of colour, as summer bedding takes centre stage, whilst in mid-summer you can browse a selection of over 5000 potted roses in full flower. In autumn our attention turns to fruit, and our Apple Weekend in October features a display of over 200 varieties of orchard fruit.
The Plant Centre is open every day of the year, except between Christmas Eve and New Year when we have our traditional break.
Opening hours
Monday - Saturday 8.00am until 5.00pm
Sunday 10.00am until 4.00pm
Bank Holidays 10.30am until 5.00pm