Planting seeds of hope
A PROFUSION of earthly delights from The Gardens Group will be on display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show next week, as the business and its perennial belief in how gardening can be a force for good take deeper root among the generations.
Home to thousands of indoor and outdoor plants, some grown in its nursery, each of the family firm’s three garden centres in Dorset and Somerset has a restaurant, and one also has a farm shop.
Managing director Mike Burks and his wife Louise began by opening Castle Gardens in Sherborne in 1987, after studying horticulture at the University of Bath.
“From the outset we wanted to create a welcoming environment for gardeners of all ages whatever their experience, places where anyone can become inspired,” explains Mike.
“We all have the responsibility to protect our patch of the planet. Gardening with the environment in mind and working with the community has always been our ethos. Our sites have blossomed into vibrant centres. We work with schools, charities and local groups while promoting gardening.”
Some 3.5million more people are estimated to have become gardeners recently, many of them younger, because of concerns about climate change and the importance of well-being, due to Covid.
“We are seeing increased demand for house plants and container growing for those living in smaller spaces,” says Mike. “Over half of our new customers are still with us.”
The Group employs 160 and with growth returning, next year’s turnover is forecast to be more than 15 per cent up on 2019’s £7.5m.
Support from Lloyds Bank has been a constant for the business and proved its worth, supplying a £900,000 funding package during lockdown.
“It was quick and straightforward,” says Mike. “Our suppliers were paid on time and that is paying off now.”
As well as offering free support to gardening clubs, collaborating with schools, charities and wildlife trusts is all part of the company’s daily life.
Most recently it has donated plants and compost to a scheme in memory of a long-serving GP who died from Covid, while supporting a school’s garden is helping tomorrow’s conservationists to grow.
Chelsea visitors can spot plants such as the Tiarella “Pink Skyrocket” which the company has supplied for the mood-enhancing Space Within Garden display, alongside pots from its recycling scheme.
Its sites are powered by green energy while rainwater is harvested and peat-free compost promoted.
Christmas, the operation run by Louise, plays a key role in easing seasonality sales dips.
For customers looking for a star performer, Mike suggests Nemesia Wisley Vanilla, with white blooms radiating an aroma evoking scents of custard, which children love.