Hi Skillen now is a good time to plant rhododendrons, not sure about the perennials, I'd have thought spring though.

Thanks Moon grower, I wonder why there doesn't seem to be any available?

September and October are the recommended planting times, or March - and there aren't any available because garden centres ain't wot they used to be! They tend to only sell what's in flower or looking good, and then clear the decks ready for xmas trees.

Thats so true my local garden has looked like santas grotto for over a month now.

that is so true, I went into a well-known multi-national garden centre this afternoon looking for peonies, the young girl who spoke to me said they only get things in when they are in flower for impulse buyers (she will probably get sacked by her bosses sometime soon) and I would have to go to a nursery - so I did, and got two very nice plants!!

Yep, that's the answer, Skillen, find out if you have any local nurseries - they have stuff all year and will sell it, even when it's died back down completely and the pot looks empty - no garden centre would allow that these days, don't make enough money selling like that.

Thanks everyone.

I would put perenials in in the spring. if you buy now when they have died down you may not find they come through.
though i do move them around at this time of year.

As you are in the North, go by MG for Rhodos and Herbacious.
In the south near the sea planting can go on till the first hard frosts.

Skillen get to Glendoick and you'll be in rhododendron heaven!

Thanks SBG and Docbob. I'll follow the advice.

Thanks MG I'll go tomorrow!

Ooops! Got mixed up with Klondyke!
Didn't realise Glendoik was on the east coast.

Otherwise go to a nursery preferably a specialist one... Just do a google search

With plants being sold in containers the best time to plant is when you can buy . Just don't be fooled into thinking that what you see in flower in the Garden Centre will flower at the same time for you.