S7 E6 - Expertise That Grows: Buying Plants with Claire Bishop, Senior Buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres

In today’s episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Claire Bishop, Senior Plant Buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres and one of the most knowledgeable people we know when it comes to all things horticulture.

Claire and Lynsey first met during our time at Dobbies, and I’ve always been in awe of her depth of plant knowledge and her genuine passion for the role plants play in people’s lives. When it comes to plant care, trends, and buying live product, Claire is a true specialist - what she doesn’t know about plants honestly isn’t worth knowing.

Claire’s career is a fascinating one. From growing up surrounded by flowers, to working her way from the shop floor into buying, shaping national plant trends, serving as a Chelsea Flower Show Trade Judge, and most recently being appointed a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, she’s someone who continues to push boundaries while staying deeply rooted in her love for plants.

In this conversation, Claire shares her journey into buying and what inspired her to specialise in plants, explaining why specialist knowledge is so critical in categories like horticulture. We talk about the unique challenges and joys of buying live product - from seasonality and crop failures to the fast decision-making required when working with something that quite literally grows and changes every day.

We also explore how COVID-19 transformed the houseplant market, introducing a new generation of “plant parents,” and why garden centres offer something supermarkets simply can’t when it comes to expertise, advice, and experience. Claire gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her time judging at the Chelsea Flower Show, what that role involves, and what it’s like to help set the benchmark for excellence in the industry.

Claire also shares her excitement about joining the board of trustees at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the responsibility that comes with it, and why protecting and promoting plant knowledge has never been more important. We round off the episode by diving into Spring/Summer trends for the season ahead, the brands and retailers she’s admiring right now, and her advice for anyone buying, selling, or simply caring for plants.

This episode is packed with insight, expertise, and genuine love for the product - a must-listen for anyone working in specialist retail, buying, or the world of horticulture.

Three Key Takeaways;

1️⃣ Expertise Shapes the Category
 In specialist areas like horticulture, deep product knowledge and passion aren’t optional - they’re what allow buyers to shape trends, build trust with customers, and truly add value.

2️⃣ Adaptability is Essential
 Plant buying is fast-moving and unpredictable. From crop failures to changing customer behaviour, buyers must think quickly, plan smartly, and adapt constantly while maintaining quality and standards.

3️⃣ Plants Enrich Lives
 Beyond sales and trends, plants play a powerful role in wellbeing, creativity, and connection to nature - making them one of the most rewarding (and meaningful) categories in retail.

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