THE NURSERY
For thirty years I have been avidly and unashamedly plantaholic. About twenty years ago I started the Nursery as a way of justifying all the plants I just had to buy. Against everyone's advice, I began by specializing in tender perennials - plants which need frost protection in winter. Irritating because you must remember to take cuttings and bring them inside, delightful because they are some of the longest blooming and most beautiful of all plants.
Of course, I also grow many hardy plants as well, usually those which are difficult to find elsewhere. I only grow plants I love at the moment, so the list is always changing. Recently both grasses and biennials have taken more and more prominence. I did a black and white exhibit at Chelsea, came home and made a black and white border in the garden and as a result have a minor avalanche of very dark and very pale foliage plants. Recently we have started selling seeds as well as plants.
Sue Elcock, nursery manager, keeps us afloat when I think we will drown in plants. Her unflappable efficiency and warm humour, keep all the parttime helpers happy and buzy, allowing me to go off collecting more plants with a clear conscience. In 1993 I won a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship to spend three months plant hunting in South Africa, and I have been back since collecting seeds. Trips to India, Nepal, Chile and now Ethiopia have resulted in many new plants.
The nursery is organized according to the needs of the plants - 'Plants for Damp Shade', ' Plants for Dry Sun', 'Tender Plants' etc. Come and visit and see if you don't think we are well named - Special Plants!
MAIL ORDER We do mail order between September and March only. There is a £10 minimum plant order and a £12 delivery charge (next day parcel service) to mainland UK. Rates for Northern Island, Channel Islands on application. Seeds can be sent to most countries.
OPENING HOURS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FINDING US
We are open every day of the week from the beginning of March to the end of October from 10am to 5pm at least -- we are often here from 9am to 6pm so it is worth checking if you want to come out of hours. In winter I am open whenever I am at home, which is most of the time, but you should always ring to check between November and February. A list of local bed and breakfasts is available.
SPECIAL PLANTS is about 100 miles due west of London, seven miles north of Bath and four miles south of Junction 18 on the M4. Greenways Lane turns west off of the A46 100 yards south of the A420 roundabout. We are not in Cold Ashton village. It is about a mile down a very narrow winding lane. Please drive with care. There is plenty of room to park and turn around when you arrive.
