Stillingfleet Lodge Plant Nursery, near York, is celebrating 40 years of trading this summer.
After four decades, the plant nursery continues to supply unusual herbaceous plants that are particularly suited to the Yorkshire climate.
Back in the early 1980s, Vanessa Cook was made redundant from her job – so she decided to learn something new.
After attending Askham Bryan Horticultural College, she started propagating plants and set up a poly tunnel. Vanessa was able to open up the budding plant nursery on a commercial basis in 1984, with support from a government enterprise scheme.
Today the plant catalogue lists over 800 varieties, 90% of which are grown in the adjacent garden at Stillingfleet Lodge, which is open to the public.
Vanessa said, “I am so proud of what we have achieved over the years, supplying a huge range of stunning and unusual herbaceous plants to the gardeners of Yorkshire.
“Many of our range of plants are good in shady areas, whereas others are excellent for pollinators. You cannot buy most of our plants in garden centres – and you won’t get our personal touch in terms of plant recommendations either.”
Independent plant nurseries are in decline, with the numbers reducing by almost half between 2000 and 2020. That Stillingfleet Lodge Plant Nursery is still thriving is down to the determination of Vanessa and her team and their loyal green-fingered customers.
Find out more about Stillingfleet Lodge and its plant nursery at their website here.