plant·way
Driver knowledge

Plant delivery knowledge

A simple way to know how to deliver plants properly. Search a plant — get the handling profile in seconds.

10 of 10 plants. Starter library — more added as we learn from real deliveries.

Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum

Fragility
High
Keep upright
Yes
Temp. sensitive
High
Multi-drop
Risky

Common issues

  • Snapped branches
  • Leaf scorch in heat
  • Tip damage

Delivery tips

  • Brace canopy with mesh
  • Shade loadspace above 22°C
  • Avoid mid-day summer drops

Olive

Olea europaea

Fragility
Low
Keep upright
Yes
Temp. sensitive
High
Multi-drop
Good

Common issues

  • Frost burn on tips
  • Pot tipping (top-heavy)

Delivery tips

  • Heated transit below 0°C
  • Strap pot at base
  • Fleece wrap overnight

Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Fragility
Medium
Keep upright
Yes
Temp. sensitive
Medium
Multi-drop
Risky

Common issues

  • Severe wilting in heat
  • Drying out
  • Snapped flower heads

Delivery tips

  • Soak heavily before loading
  • Mid-route water check on long runs
  • Don't stack near hot bodywork

Tree Fern

Dicksonia antarctica

Fragility
High
Keep upright
Yes
Temp. sensitive
High
Multi-drop
Avoid

Common issues

  • Crown drying out
  • Frond damage
  • Frost kill

Delivery tips

  • Damp moss cap on crown
  • Always vertical, never laid down
  • Avoid wind exposure at handover

Box / Topiary

Buxus sempervirens

Fragility
Medium
Keep upright
Yes
Temp. sensitive
Low
Multi-drop
Good

Common issues

  • Shape damage
  • Box blight in damp closed vans

Delivery tips

  • Breathable mesh wrap, no plastic
  • Keep foliage dry
  • Minimise re-handling

Citrus

Citrus spp.

Fragility
Medium
Keep upright
Yes
Temp. sensitive
High
Multi-drop
Risky

Common issues

  • Leaf drop from cold shock
  • Fruit bruising

Delivery tips

  • Heated transit below 5°C
  • No cold drafts at door open
  • Brace fruiting branches

Rose

Rosa spp.

Fragility
Medium
Keep upright
Yes
Temp. sensitive
Low
Multi-drop
Good

Common issues

  • Thorn punctures to neighbours
  • Snapped canes on standards

Delivery tips

  • Isolate from soft-leaved stock
  • Brace standards at stake
  • Keep bare-root damp at all times

Fiddle-leaf Fig

Ficus lyrata

Fragility
High
Keep upright
Yes
Temp. sensitive
High
Multi-drop
Avoid

Common issues

  • Leaf drop from any draft
  • Bruised leaves
  • Cold shock

Delivery tips

  • Single drop where possible
  • Sleeve the whole plant
  • Keep van above 12°C

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Fragility
Low
Keep upright
No
Temp. sensitive
Low
Multi-drop
Good

Common issues

  • Stem crush if stacked
  • Drying out in trays

Delivery tips

  • Don't stack other pots on top
  • Light water before loading
  • Fine for long multi-drop runs

Bamboo

Phyllostachys spp.

Fragility
Medium
Keep upright
Yes
Temp. sensitive
Medium
Multi-drop
Risky

Common issues

  • Cane snap when laid down
  • Rapid drying of leaves

Delivery tips

  • Always upright, tied at top
  • Heavy water before loading
  • Watch overhead clearance