A New Year’s Plea for Garden and Plant Lovers
As we step into January, it’s time to reflect on our resolutions not just for ourselves, but for the green spaces and gardens that bring joy and life to our world. For those who cherish gardens, plants, and the incredible work of specialist nurseries, this is a call to action: make 2025 the year you support your local independent nurseries.
These small, dedicated growers are more than just businesses —they’re custodians of plant diversity, stewards of horticultural passion, and a lifeline for pollinating insects, birds, and tiny mammals that thrive on the variety they offer. Unlike large garden centres, which may prioritise convenience and lifestyle products, specialist nurseries are a treasure trove of plant knowledge and rare finds. Visiting one isn’t just about buying a plant; it’s about preserving a way of life and ensuring the survival of unique plant species. But specialist nurseries are struggling. Many are closing their doors for good. Why?
Jekka's Herb Farm 2008 Hampton Court Display; awarded the Tudor Rose Award.
The Challenges Facing Specialist Nurseries
Brexit dealt a significant blow. Beyond labour issues, it disrupted the exchange of plants and seeds with nurserymen across Europe. For years, I exchanged plants and seeds with growers from Germany, France, Holland, and Italy, sharing a passion that transcended borders. That exchange has all but ended, cutting off a vital lifeline for diversity and collaboration.
COVID-19 was another setback. During the pandemic, the government allowed garden centers to remain open while specialist nurseries were forced to close. This uneven playing field further eroded their stability.
The Economic Landscape has also played a part. As highlighted this year, the UK budget failed to prioritise the countryside, sustainability, or the skills needed to nurture horticulture. Plants are often seen as inexpensive commodities, but growing them requires skill, time, care, and resources.
The younger generation and ageing – for my husband Mac and me, these challenges have hit close to home. Together we’ve built our nursery from scratch over the past 40 years. It has been a wonderful journey, full of laughter, tears and lifelong friendships - especially with the other nurseries on the flower show circuit. When I began exhibiting in 1992, I went to see Noel Kingsbury, ( a fellow Scribehound gardening writer) who, in those days, ran a nursery in the next village, I was moaning that the Garden Centres were not buying my herbs because no one was gardening in that hot summer. We were a wholesale nursery in those days, and his reply, which I so clearly remember was go and exhibit at the RHS Halls. There were over 180 nurseries on the flower show circuit, today that number has dwindled to around 80. Sadly, more and more of us are closing, often due to health or age, and much like farming, the younger generation are not stepping in to carry on the family business. For the moment, my passion for plants and a huge wish to share my knowledge and skills will keep us going for as long as possible.
I am aware that there are a few specialist nurseries opening as highlighted in Jodie Jones November article ‘Rooted in Passion’ but these are too few and I fear are not stemming the tide. In 2024, lots of small nurseries closed, far too many to mention so I am focusing on just three.
 2019 Hampton Court Display
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Downderry Nursery, to highlight what a loss this to the whole plant world, Simon started this nursery in his parents back garden in 1995. By 2009 Dr Simon and Dawn Charlesworth had expanded the National Collection of lavenders from an initial 60 species and cultivars to approximately 400. This collection was granted scientific status which is a prestigious award given to those who go beyond merely collecting plants, focusing on conserving, cataloguing their provenance and researching the relationships between different species and cultivars. |
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2019 Chelsea Flower Show Display |
Botanic Nursery, Terry and Mary Baker, are holders of the National Collection of Foxgloves. They closed the nursery in 2024. Terry has over 50 years’ expertise in all areas of gardening and is a passionate propagator. Mary grew up helping her father in his market garden and creating beautiful floral arrangements, a talent that helped win 30 RHS Gold medals including the RHS Chelsea Flower show. |
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2019 Malvern Flower Show Display |
Avon Bulbs, From 1987 until the spring of 2024 Chris and Caroline Ireland-Jones, successfully nurtured and grew the business into one of the go to places for the best quality mail order bulbs in the UK. I will always remember their exquisite snowdrops exhibits at the RHS Halls in spring and their wonderful RHS Chelsea Flower Show exhibits which, over the years, accumulated 30 gold medals! |
Why Specialist Nurseries Matter
Specialist nurseries aren’t just about selling plants; they are vital to conserving the UK’s horticultural heritage. Organisations like Plant Heritage and their National Plant Collections are at the forefront of this mission. These collections represent a living archive of rare and endangered plants, carefully documented and preserved for future generations.
Through their work, they:
- Conserve living examples of rare and garden-worthy plants.
- Identify and save cultivars at risk of extinction through the Threatened Plants Programme .
- Share plants with gardeners across the UK through initiatives like the Plant Exchange.
- Educate the public on the importance of plant diversity and conservation.
Currently, there are over 700 National Plant Collections, comprising 95,000 plants. These collections are a vital resource for gardeners, designers, researchers, and historians, ensuring that rare and unique plants remain available and protected.
A Plea for 2025
This New Year, resolve to make a difference. Visit your local specialist nursery. Engage with the growers who pour their passion into their plants. Buy from them—not just for the joy of adding something unique to your garden, but to keep their invaluable work alive.
The plants, and the dedicated people behind these nurseries depend on your support. Let’s ensure that the beauty and biodiversity of our gardens continue to flourish.
Where have all the flowers gone? They’re waiting—for you.
PS Happy new year and happy gardening.
Jekka's 2024
Want to know more?
You can find more about herbs in Jekka’s blog, our past newsletters and videos as well as Jekka's new book '100 Herbs to Grow' and Jekka's existing books, namely 'A Pocketful of Herbs' or Jekka's Complete Herb Book, and also by browsing Jekkapedia and exploring our herb based recipes.
Alternatively, come and visit the herb farm in South Gloucestershire at one of our Open Days, Master Classes or Herb Experiences such as last year’s Jekka’s HerbFest (see the highlights).
For advice on growing and maintaining herbs, check out ‘Jekka’s Seasonal Tips’ blog series, which includes what to do in your herb garden in early spring, late spring, summer and autumn & winter. Together they form the basis of Jekka’s guide on how to grow herbs.
Please also see Jekka's herbs of the month blogs: Bay (January), Rosemary (February), Salad Burnet (March), French Tarragon (April), Angelica (May), Alliums (June), Lavender (July), Basil (August), Mint (September), Szechuan Pepper (October), Thyme (November) and Curry Tree (December)
Herb plants are available and you can organise a collection from our herb farm in South Gloucestershire or at one of our Open Days. Please see our 'Looking Good List' for availability and use our webform or email your list directly to us (sales@jekkas.com). We no longer offer a general mail order service for our plants.