Digging Deep

Digging deep

Two years after buying Rowden Garden Nursery, Emma Robertson and her husband, Tom have really made their mark on this specialist water plant nursery; building a new home, expanding the mail order business, diversifying into cut flowers, and rebranding as Tor Garden Plants.

At the end of her degree in Theatre, Film and TV, Emma was inspired to volunteer on a conservation project at Castle Howard in Yorkshire. She fell in love with the hands-on, outdoor life and a passion for horticulture was sparked. Emma took a seasonal gardening job at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, moved on to Trentham Gardens in Staffordshire as apprentice gardener and then to Knightshayes, Tiverton as a supervisor, and finally to Castle Drogo as head gardener. Three years later she spotted the opportunity to take on the nursery in Brentor and fell in love immediately.

The nursery is set within an acre of land, with ten large rectangular ponds. Emma has a small polytunnel from where she can divide and propagate her stock of water and marginal plants such as marsh marigolds, primula and iris. The nursery is stocked with over 70 varieties of ‘Rowden’ iris developed by the previous owners at the nursery. Most of Emma’s business is via mail order and she has spent a considerable amount of time investing in plastic free alternatives to the usual pots including bamboo, coir and biodegradable options. The nursery is run sustainably with rainwater collection and natural alternatives to pest control – such as ducks to keep the ponds clear of weed. Every pond is alive with newts and frogs and the verges are a glorious wildlife and wildflower haven.

The nursery has become their home. Emma and Tom remodelled the old stables into a tidy house for themselves and their three dogs. The nursery is also their garden and it is a delightful spot with views across to Brentor Church and the moorland beyond. Nestled amongst mature trees and shrubs, the garden is sheltered from the worst of the Dartmoor weather but the rain is very welcome for the well-stocked ponds, which Emma finds absolutely stunning in the summer when many of the flowers are in full bloom and the spectacular iris are at their best. Emma’s Tor Garden irises also featured at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show in the gold-winning Kampo no Niwa garden which celebrated the route to health and happiness through plants.

While Tom helps out at the nursery, he has also retained his job as a goldsmith in Taunton, so Emma has relished the challenge of growing and developing the business. She enjoys getting her hands dirty and playing with plants and has begun selling her plants locally in Mary Tavy and at garden fairs. She has also started selling cut flowers and is looking to expand this side of the business. She welcomes visitors to the nursery by appointment but is quick to say that it is still a work in progress – but then all gardeners say that don’t they.

Nichola Williams

For more information visit: www.torgardenplants.co.uk; Instagram and Facebook Tor Garden Plants

or contact sales@torgardenplants.co.uk