Cornwall Plantaholics is a family run nursery business that supplies several other plant outlets as well as their own little shop a few minutes away from their propagation greenhouses. Their operation is mainly plant propagation from cuttings as well as growing from seeds. I was intrigued by this nursery when I first spotted them selling some Agave bracteosas on Ebay a few years ago. At that time this plant was a rarity (and to a degree it still is) and to see someone selling several of these at that time made me think that there is something more special about this seller. And I was absolutely right when we were given a tour of their propagation area.
We were warmly welcomed by the lovely owner Jane and several of her family members who showed us around the nursery. What struck me at first was the sheer scale of the place, I was initially expecting that it will be a much smaller operation but was pleasantly surprised to see it much, much bigger than I thought and the diversity of the plants that they propagate. And equally as impressive is the general tidiness and how organised the nursery is, considering that manpower is kept to a minimum with most of the work done by Jane and a few of her family members only.
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| The lovely Jane showing us around |
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| Restios galore! |
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| Aeoniums... |
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| and other succulents, just a few of what they have! |
Jane is a true plantaholic, knowledgeable, passionate, and truly enthusiastic about plants. We had a great time touring the place, getting an insight into the operation of a nursery supplying other retailers, and talking lots and lots about rare and unusual plants. And speaking of rare, unusual, and exotic plants, there is no shortage of these in her nursery.
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| Aeonium tabuliforme |
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| Agave ferox (variegated) |
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| Camellia sinensis (variegated) |
Definitely a place I'm looking forward to visiting again when we're down in Cornwall, especially as a plantaholic ourselves, we're always after plants that are extra special, and they certainly have some of them :-)
Mark
Cornwall Plantaholics
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I agree. It really is exciting to see plants en masse like this in a greenhouse. It may seem odd - but I don't find mass planting out-doors anywhere near as impressive.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a fantastic nursery. They have so many of my favorite plants. Restios are fantastic when massed like that, as are the Aeonium tabuliforme. I have one tabuliforme and it's great, but to see a whole ocean of them!
ReplyDeleteWhat did you end up buying?
Esther, it does look impressive doesn't it? Seeing all those plants neatly lined up and in order, it almost reminds me of being in a department store. It also puts you in a better mood to shop if plants are displayed neatly like that :)
ReplyDeleteA. tabuliforme is a fab plant indeed Gerhard :) Restios are lovely plants but I find the group generally tricky to grow in our location, but in your area you can indulge in it much more than we can. I went home with a few Nolina seedlings and a Beschorneria albiflora, all doing well in the greenhouse at the moment.
How impressive! All looks very clean first off. That always impresses me. The variety looks fantastic also. Very well cared for nursery.
ReplyDeleteCher
Wow what a great nursery visit! I've only seen Aeonium tabuliforme singularly, it's an impressive sight to see a whole swath of them. I long for a shaggy Restio too, maybe this year is the one.
ReplyDeleteHow impressive! I don't think I've seen a nursery with quite so many unusual and interesting plants.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive. I'd forgotten that I used to have a A. tabuliforme - my bereavement, long forgotten, has now come back full force. Make sure to take a van with you when next you visit.
ReplyDeleteDave
What a fabulous post, I loved all the super pics. Its so nice that a small family run nursery is doing so well.
ReplyDeleteAlways love a good nursery tour! I've heard the name before, I might have spotted them on ebay as well. I found a Agave bracteosas late last season and bought it on impulse. Happy I did as it's a strange one indeed.
ReplyDelete! Great photos ~ !
Indeed Cher, it's a very well cared for nursery :)
ReplyDeleteLoree, swathes of A. tabuliforme does look great, like what we saw in Tresco last year. I might give restios another go this year too, one or two might do well :)
Glad you liked it Holley!
David, probably best not to take a van as it will seriously hurt our pockets, lol!
Libby, how true that it's nice to see small family run businesses doing so well :)
Nat, glad you liked it being a nurseryman yourself :) A. bracteosa is a superb plant!
That's indeed an Aladdin's Cave for us gardeners, plant and nature lovers. The place looks big from your picture. How is it maintained with so few people? They must be great plantaholics and hard-worker to spend every waking hours tending all those plants.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a lot of plants! I love the different colors of those succulents. That's a lot of homes and gardens to beautify.
ReplyDelete[I have been commenting last night at home for the previous post of the great work on the pond, but i wasn't able to make it through. I said the pond looks more like a swimming pool than a pond for koi because it is so deep. But who knows the koi might like it deep. Mark, are you an engineer? Those works are for masons!!! hahaha.
I`ve been looking for an Aeonium tabuliforme for a while , don`t really know if I want to say thank you for the post or hate it as I will spend more money .
ReplyDeleteReally nice threat , the plant look really healthy
Thank you
Hi KL, it's an Aladdin's cave indeed :) The place is well maintained as they are well organised in propping and arranging their stocks. And Jane is passionate about plants.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, I love all of those succulents too! Must pick up more next time we visit them. Not an engineer nor a mason here I'm afraid, lol!
You're welcome Sal! :) Which also reminds me to buy a couple more A. tabuliforme next time we visit them again!