A family owned business with heart
Since 1984, Grant and Di have owned the nursery, building and growing it with a clear vision of providing quality plants and most importantly, sending customers home with the right horticultural advice. Our Garden Centre is a breath of fresh air – independent, local and fiercely passionate about protecting the values of specialist service.
Customer loyalty has been forged over many years and it is with pride that we continue to provide genuine guidance in all aspects of growing and nurturing plants. Both daughters have spent much of their childhood playing in the background, and as adults have played a part in the success of the business. With their youthful input and ideas, we have continued to grow and evolve over the years. Natasha now works behind the scenes, while Mel is very much front of house.
Immersed in a deep and rich history
The McLaren Vale region is part of the traditional lands of the Kaurna people and we acknowledge the traditional owners of the land where our shop sits. In the Main Street, a small distance from our shop, there existed a large River Red Gum which was believed to be a meeting place for the Kaurna people.
Our beautiful little shop, built circa 1910 by Jane Cook, has had numerous faces over the years with a rich diversity of people living and working within its walls. The original Baltic Pine timber flooring is still in place (with a bit of patchwork repair here and there!) and when you walk through the doors there is a sense of history, calm and serenity.
Some of the plants we have growing here speak to the history of our nursery space. As you walk through to the shadehouse, you will see our Palomino Sweetwater (an old Sherry making variety) and Muscat Vines which are estimated to have been planted in the 1950’s. On the left is our magnificent, stately Ficus hillii, much loved and adored by many.
As you pull into our carpark, you’ll notice a magnificent mural painted by Kristy of Salty Fox Studio. It features native flora and fauna. A perfect reflection of our business.
Focused on conservation & horticulture advice
Biodiversity may be an overused word, but for us, reflecting on how we interact with our environment is vitally important. By considering planting a variety of trees and shrubs, including native plants (even better – plants endemic to the local region) in your garden, you are giving food and habitat to a multitude of creatures.
This web of life includes beneficial insects and birds with which we share the environment. We have a wealth of knowledge with trained Horticulturalists on staff to help you create your own home habitat. Choosing to design and establish a little habitat in your own suburban space will help create green oases and corridors and reinstate shelter and refuge for critters that has been lost to urbanisation.