​Evolving philosophy:

Our first main nursery was developed on an area of wild marshland (at a time such habitats were less generally valued) and the intention was to drain,clear and use the whole area of it commercially. It gradually became evident that this was the last vestige  of marsh in a landscape that had once been largely wetland. Its richness of plant life and special atmosphere also came to be appreciated and the decision was taken to use only half of the site for the business and designate the remainder as nature reserve and wild garden. This in fact transpired  to be hardly a sacrifice as it provided us with a fascinating everchanging  panoply of flowers, insects, birds and mammals as the backdrop to our workplace. A precious piece of land and wildness was preserved. Later perhaps partly influenced by our experience, we became one of the earliest commercial growers of British native wildflowers. Calls are now increasingly urgently being made for less exploitative fresh approaches to land ownership by businesses and other organisations. Strictly self imposed constraints ensured we limited any ecological or aesthetic spoiliation of our site and we were able to restore and enrich its plant diversity. Broadly the above was a template that might provide some guidance towards a much less destructive relationship with nature.

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An opportunity for everyone:

All of us with responsibility for any plot have the chance to consciously benefit the broader natural environment (though it is likely to happen incidentally in beautifying it) by increasing the plant cover, especially if involving the planting of one or more trees.

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Our Resolution:

We acknowledge that we have a way to go but will continue the policy of considering our impact as a business on the wider world in all that we do and seek to minimise pollution and other damage. Because of the nature of our job, we are in a position to, in partnership with you, help make the world more healthy and more beautiful.