Out & About Spring 2018

GARDENING

P L A N T I N G PERFECTION

Needing inspiration for your garden? You might just find it at Hortus Loci in Hook – one of the biggest providers of plants to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, says MARTIN ROBERTSHAW

A s you idly flick through a gardening magazine planning this year’s approach to your outside space and perhaps contemplating the purchase of a couple of plants to brighten a forgotten border, spare a thought for the team at nursery Hortus Loci, which nurtures 400,000 perennial plants each year. And it’s not just perennials, herbs and vegetables that keep Hortus Loci busy, there are hundreds of trees and thousands of shrubs also being cared for on the impressive 17-acre site at Hook, north Hampshire. But at least the wholesale nursery team’s considerable efforts are properly rewarded, as many of the plants end up at the finest horticultural showcase of them all – the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – where this year Hortus Loci will be providing thousands of plants for 11 show gardens, including those designed by Chris Beardshaw, Jo Thompson and Matt Keightley. And the good news for mere gardening mortals is that alongside the wholesale nursery, there is a retail plant centre where members of the public can turn up, browse and buy. The Hortus Loci team is no stranger to Chelsea, having supplied plants for 42 gardens, both Main Avenue and smaller show gardens, since the business started just seven years ago. Unsurprisingly, given the nursery’s Chelsea connections, Hortus Loci, headed up by co-founders and horticultural heavyweights Mark Straver and Robin Wallis – who boast more than 60 years nursery experience between them – have worked with some of

the finest garden designers and landscape architects in the world, including Cleve West, Hugo Bugg, Jinny Blom, Adam Frost, Joe Swift, the Rich brothers – David and Harry –- Charlotte Harris and Andy Sturgeon. It is the exacting demands of the high-end designers, both old and new, and Hortus’ desire to keep one step ahead of the game, which has seen Mark travel extensively around the world for the last 20 years, sourcing the finest specimens for private landscaping projects and RHS shows. One of a small number of plantsmen in the world with the knowledge and contacts to source the best wholesale plants, after spending 15 years running his own business, Mark then spent 12 years with Crocus as head buyer and is well-connected to high- end garden designers, growers and other horticultural suppliers. The enthusiastic and energetic Mark, who rarely sits still for more than a few minutes, said the Hortus Loci aim is simple – to have a horticultural centre of excellence. “We work closely with the finest growers to locate the best plants available for garden designs of any size. It’s a reputation we are proud of and one that we work hard to maintain.” Raising more than 85 per cent of all the plants they supply means Hortus Loci can guarantee availability and quality, Mark argues. “Working with who we do also means the team is always keeping an eye on planting trends and helping to set new ones.” They even make sure they offer perennials in larger pots for stronger plants and have

Mark Straver

“Our Plant Centre has over 4,000 varieties in stock, including

many unusual and specimen varieties”

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