Spanning over 18 acres, our nursery in Surrey supplies 80% of the plants and trees available at our locations and those utilised in our landscaping projects. Under the management of Nick Westmarland, who boasts 34 years of horticultural expertise, our growing practices have significantly improved through innovative techniques, including recent trials of peat-free methods.
Insights into the Herbaceous Tunnel
Recently, Nick shared insights about the herbaceous tunnel, where he cultivates a selection of herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses. The collection includes:
- Herbaceous Perennials:
- Heuchera
- Achillea
- Nepeta
- Salvia varieties
- Sedum
- Erigeron
- Geum
- Verbena
These plants are chosen for their appealing leaf shapes, habits, and stunning blooms, serving both our nursery sites and supplying KLG with high-quality plants for their projects.
- Ornamental Grasses:
- Festuca
- Carex
- Calamagrostis
- Uncinia
These grasses are known for their contrasting colours and unique leaf shapes. Additionally, rootball production at The Otter has seen a significant rise, and we aim to enhance it further this autumn. Our reduced peat mix, combined with fertilizer, provides a healthy growing medium for hedging plants such as Prunus rotundifolia and Photinia Red Robin, which have proven to be very popular in various sizes for an instant impact.
Challenges in Plant Cultivation
Nick highlighted several challenges in growing, such as maintaining optimal temperatures and sufficient light levels, which are vital for promoting rapid growth. Certain plants are vulnerable to specific pests and diseases, and fluctuations in temperature can worsen these problems. We take pride in avoiding artificial heat in our growing structures to ensure that our plants are resilient and well-adapted to the UK climate. Our polytunnels feature high-quality polythene to maximise UV light for optimal growth.
Commitment to Biosecurity
Our Plant Passport system is diligently maintained to comply with biosecurity regulations. We inspect all plants arriving from both UK nurseries and international sources to ensure the health of our stock. Regular audits and inspections by APHA inspectors help uphold our standards, while any overseas plants undergo thorough checks upon entry into the country to safeguard biosecurity.
Our staff is trained to identify any unusual signs on plants, keeping everyone alert against potential pest and disease outbreaks. While this can present challenges, each new discovery offers valuable learning opportunities. Plant health is our highest priority, prompting us to minimise pesticide use. Currently, we pot our plants using 60% peat-free compost, enriched with fertilizer to sustain them for 8–9 months. As previously noted, light levels and temperature are critical factors in our production process.
Cultivating for Diverse Needs
Nick and his team cultivate approximately 10,000 plants each year, catering to the diverse needs of all our customers, including specialist requests from garden designers, landscape architects, and landscaping companies seeking specific plants for their projects. Nick is always available to meet with clients, offering tours of our growing facilities and discussing specific requirements. Please contact us to arrange a one-on-one meeting.
