Your Autumn Checklist

Your Autumn Checklist

To create the perfect autumn garden you need to focus on foliage colour <CLICK HERE> Cosy up this autumn Autumn doesn’t mean your long lazy days in the garden have to come to an end. There are so many ways to continue to enjoy your garden well into the cooler...
What is a Medlar?

What is a Medlar?

Medlars (Mespilus germanica) are closely related to apples and are easy to grow, productive, generally problem-free and need little pruning. They are attractive trees, producing large white flowers in late spring, followed by small rounded fruits (about 5cm/2in...
East Coast Elegance

East Coast Elegance

The Hamptons are a string of towns located on the tip of Long Island, NY. They are known for their iconic mansion neighbourhoods, endless beaches, and vacationing celebrities. Many of the rich and famous spend their summers on spacious estates nestled along the...
Adding value

Adding value

With the costs associated with moving house so high (stamp duty, legal fees, removal / storage fees) many people are choosing to invest in and embrace their current property long term. What is the easiest way to transform your garden? With plants, plants and more...
Henley Arts Trail 29th April – 1st May 2023

Henley Arts Trail 29th April – 1st May 2023

Fourteen talented artists will be showcasing unique outdoor sculpture in a variety of sizes and materials. You will find inspiring metal and stone sculptures along with water features all designed to add impact, movement and style to your garden. Saturday 29th April...
Meet Gemma, Nursery Lead

Meet Gemma, Nursery Lead

Gemma joined the nursery as a plant supervisor and over seven years has progressed to “Nursery Lead”. Her day to day role involves managing the nursery team, advising customers, handling sales and quality controlling the nursery plants. Gemma plays a key role in...
Our favourite Valentine’s Day inspired plants:

Our favourite Valentine’s Day inspired plants:

A plant is very similar to a relationship; in order to flourish it requires nurturing, attention and commitment. Cercis canadensis ‘Eternal Flame’ Nandina domestica ‘Obsession’ Malus ‘Gorgeous’ Sorbus vilmorinii ‘Pink Charm’ Daphne x transatlantica ‘Eternal Fragrance’...
Christmas trees – keep it real

Christmas trees – keep it real

Long before Christianity, evergreen trees were celebrated during the winter months and brought into the home to ward off illness, evil spirits and as a symbol of hope that spring would return. The origins of the Christmas tree as we know it began in Germany however...
Matthew, Director

Matthew, Director

Matthew joined The Big Plant Nursery in 2011 as a fresh-faced Saturday assistant during the final year of his horticultural degree. He has since developed his role within the nursery and wider business to becoming a Director in March 2021. On an average day Matthew is...
Meet Alex, Nursery Plant and Sales Advisor

Meet Alex, Nursery Plant and Sales Advisor

Alex is a nursery plant and sales advisor. He is customer facing and part of the team responsible for creating and maintaining our inspiring plant displays. Alex has studied Zoology and has a Masters in Ecology which makes him our go to guy when it comes to...
Meet Mel, Nursery Assistant

Meet Mel, Nursery Assistant

“The best thing about my job? No two days are the same and I love that. I left an office based role in pursuit of a complete lifestyle change. Now I’m learning new skills, working outside amongst incredible high quality plants and broadening my horticultural...
Plant of the month…

Plant of the month…

Cercis canadensis is a large deciduous shrub or small, often multi-stemmed, tree. It develops a semi-weeping habit with glorious heart shaped leaves that open in a glossy, deep shade of red. As the leaves mature during the season, they change colour from deep wine to...
Plant nursery life

Plant nursery life

Alex is a Nursery Plant and Sales Advisor. He is customer facing and part of the team responsible for creating and maintaining our inspiring plant displays. Alex has studied Zoology and has a Masters in Ecology which makes him our go to guy when it comes to...
Plants have a mind of their own

Plants have a mind of their own

The world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. We all have our own behaviour styles, reactions to certain situations. It’s what sets us apart from robots. Have you noticed how some of your plants, although they may seem identical, behave in...
Why choose multi-stem trees?

Why choose multi-stem trees?

Multi-stem trees (two or more stems growing from one root) were heavily featured in the show gardens at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show (check out “The Meta Garden”, “Morris & Co.” and “Alder Hey Urban Foraging...
Trees & climate change

Trees & climate change

The short answer is no, not on their own. However, tree planting and responsible forest maintenance can play a significant role. Tom Crowther at the Swiss university ETH Zürich has stated that tree planting “is the cheapest solution possible and every one of us...
No dig gardens

No dig gardens

The concept of no dig gardens (also known as Hugelkultur) has been pioneered by gardener and grower Charles Dowding since 1982 but has been gaining momentum since 2017 when he was featured on an episode of Gardener’s World . There has suddenly been a surge in...
Henley Arts Trail 2022

Henley Arts Trail 2022

Fourteen talented artists will be showcasing unique outdoor sculpture in a variety of sizes and materials. You will find inspiring metal and stone sculptures along with water features all designed to add impact, movement and style to your garden. Each piece will be...
Colour: Basic design principles

Colour: Basic design principles

Colour has a huge impact on style and ambience. It is really important to get it right in terms of the expectations you have on your garden and what mood you want to create <find out more> What are the options? NEUTRAL – colours that can be used with any...
Back to black

Back to black

A garden trend predicted for 2022 is bringing darker foliage into planting schemes. Whether you want to go full gothic romance or create a slick contemporary garden, dark foliage and flowers are a great way to do this. If a whimsical cottage garden is more your thing...