Trade secrets A garden is only ever as good as its plants. Four renowned garden designers choose their favourite suppliers
favourite nurseries Four top garden designers reveal their six best-loved nurseries, from tree growers extraordinaire to suppliers of bulbs, perennials, shade-loving and aquatic plants
1 Special Plants
Derry Watkins’ treasure trove of a nursery is located in a beautiful valley outside Bath. It is packed with eclectic, unusual and – as the name suggests – special plants from all over the world, both hardy and tender, for outside and in. There’s always something new to discover. Seeds can be ordered online and plants are available to buy from the nursery (open daily March to October). Derry is also an inspiring plantswoman and speaker, and runs many courses. Greenways Lane, Cold Ashton, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 8LA. T 01225 891686. W specialplants.net
2 Phoenix Perennial Plants
Marina Christopher’s knowledge of interesting and unusual perennials is encyclopaedic. She grew many plants from seed for Hugo Bugg’s Royal Bank of Canada garden at the 2016 Chelsea Flower Show. Most were natives to the Levant area not previously seen at Chelsea. If it’s hard to get to the nursery, seek Marina out at plant fairs. By appointment only. Paice Lane, Medstead, Alton Hampshire GU34 5PR. T 01420 560695.
3 Knoll Gardens
Neil Lucas’s ornamental gardens at Knoll in Dorset are worth a visit in their own right; they are both beautiful and practical, and I always leave full of ideas. The nursery’s online ordering is easy for both grasses and perennials, but I’d recommend a visit to the plant centre, which is full of gems. I recall a terrific display of grasses at their structural best on one trip in autumn. Neil also runs an extensive programme of talks and workshops. Stapehill Rd, Hampreston, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7ND. T 01202 873931. W knollgardens.co.uk
4 Beeches Nursery
It was at Beeches in Essex that I tracked down the elusive Comptonia peregrina, which I used for the Royal Bank of Canada garden at Chelsea in 2017. I had been aware of the nursery’s reputation but hadn’t visited before, and the discovery of the sweet fern gave the perfect excuse. The nursery, which is peat-free, is beautifully arranged, with unusual plants around every corner. Crown Hill, Ashdon, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 2HB. T 01799 584362. W beechesnursery.co.uk
5 Woottens of Wenhaston
This nursery in East Anglia specialises in herbaceous hardy perennials, including bearded irises (a breathtaking sight in early June), pelargoniums, hardy geraniums, auriculas and Hemerocallis. It is only open on the first weekend of the month from March to November but has an excellent mail order service. The plants are high quality and the information sheets are superb. The Iris Field, Hall Road, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 9HF. T 01502 478258. W woottensplants.com
6 Glendoick Garden Centre
This Scottish nursery is a thirdgeneration family business that grows and supplies rhododendron and azalea species and hybrids as well as other woodland and acid-loving plants. Owner Ken Cox is the author of a number of books on rhododendrons, and on gardening and gardens in Scotland. Plants are available direct from the nursery or by mail order, and the website is full of helpful information and advice. Glendoick, Glencarse, Perthshire PH2 7NS. T 01738 860265. W glendoick.com