Architectural Plants prepare for their new site in Pulborough

Growing up

After years in the planning, Architectural Plants prepare for their new site in Pulborough to open, offering the public, landscapers, and those in the trade, a whole lot more

Anyone who has travelled along the A29 over the last few years will have noticed a great deal of activity in the mud department. The disused football pitches next to Brinsbury College have been transformed and finally they’re starting to resemble a nursery rather than a sticky brown expanse. There’s still a lot of mud but – the initial spans are in place and they’re filled with plants. The term ‘Heavy Plants Crossing’ fits the bill nicely.

Toast & butter
The new development, situated next to Brinsbury College, boasts 35 acres, and has been in the planning for some ten years. The dream being to have one enormous nursery containing huge quantities of beautiful plants. Certainly over the last two years, the planning has come into fruition with structures being put in place and plants being brought onto site. You do have to go through the fire a bit to get to this stage in a business development. Hurdles have been jumped in terms of planning permission, highways, and utilities and this bureaucracy is not only exceptionally boring, but costly and time consuming too. Not so good. Imagine trying to butter your toast and having to run it past the baker, the toaster and the dairy farmer first. It would be cold and soggy before you even got to put the Marmite on it.

Horticulture has faced significant challenges during the recent economic difficulties and these have been felt across the industry. Businesses have needed to be smarter about allocation of resources, services provided and productivity.

A more efficient business will provide a higher quality of service to the customer whilst increasing business growth – good for everyone.

At Architectural Plants, the focus is on the quality of product and the service – they’ve pulled together the teams to create a ‘one-stop-shop’ (nauseating phrase but what else are you going to call it?) offering all the services required to create beautiful gardens. Performance is better than ever and they have a group of staff who are not only passionate about horticulture, but who know plants inside-out. All can offer advice, consultation, design, planting and excellent after-care. They’ve refined what they do, and embraced the skills of their staff.

The team enjoys working closely with trade customers on a wide range of projects. This can include anything from simply providing the plants, right through to consultation and planting:

“I have been designing classical gardens for almost 20 years, and during that time, have relied on Architectural Plants to provide me with the very best trees and shrubs to work with. Without the excellent evergreens, I would not have been able to give the perfection that my clients demand.

“Their excellent product quality, is matched by high standards of technical know-how and willing co-operation in all their staff. I have always found them helpful and friendly and prepared to run the extra mile where my clients are concerned.

Thank you Angus for providing such a high standard of support.”
Fiona Henley (Garden Designer) 12 February 2014

The intention now, is to continue to develop the new site and begin to invite customers to visit. This has started with their trade customers and retail customers will be invited along, once things are a bit more user-friendly. Those who have seen the new site have been exceptionally supportive and some regular trade customers are already benefiting from having a larger choice of stock to choose from.

Along with the support of trade and retail customers, new customers are intrigued and pleased to see a local business developing. A sentiment echoed by Nick Herbert MP for South Downs who visited the site last year:
“I was impressed with the evident ambition and vision behind the expansion of Architectural Plants.

“Horticulture is an important local industry and it is important that expanding businesses are encouraged and supported. Too often it seems that unnecessary hurdles are being placed in their way.”

Dressing up
Architectural Plants deals with a broad range of customers across the UK and offer services for those in property development and management. Whilst promoting properties for sale or lease, they’re often asked by agents to provide plants to dress terraces and other outdoor spaces. Strategically positioned plants can make a huge difference when it comes to showcasing a property.

Roof terraces are becoming increasingly popular in towns and cities and they are able to offer appropriate solutions that will look beautiful and last. Planting and irrigation installtion is provided where necessary. The irrigation bit is necessary by the way – it needs careful thought and although it sounds obvious, poor irrigation is the main cause for failing plants.

Brown stuff
What already looks like a vast site and a vast quantity of plants is a fraction of what is yet to come. This is a massive operation.
Pic: A delivery of stock from Italy arrives at the new site
It’s crucial to now focus on planting the grounds – the magic of Architectural Plants needs to be creatd but on a different canvas to that which is enjoyed in Horsham. Greenery needs to be added to the brown stuff. The driveway is exceptionally long and will lend itself to some classic avenue planting before they really go to town in the reservoir area. Huge quantities of Quercus ilex, Phillyrea latifolia and no doubt bamboo will be required.

“Imagine trying to butter your toast and having to run it past the baker, the toaster and the dairy farmer first”

Having a nursery of this scale will mean far more plants for customers – ideal for big projects where tradespeople need large quantities and plenty to choose from. This inevitably means more propagation and they’re fortunate to have the in-house expertise and facilities to make this happen through micro propagation, seeds and cuttings.

There’s a lot to do in order to deliver the goods and they’ll also be up-scaling what is imported from Europe.

Getting in there
For trade customers, two open days are being held at the new site on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th March. The purpose of this is to show off and mess about with plants all day, drinking soup and eating bread. If this sounds like your cup of soup, come and see them between 10am and 3pm. You’ll get a flavour of what’s to come and they’re keen to build on our working relationships with trade. New trade customers are welcome too and setting up an account is easy. No boring red tape here. Call Architectural Plants for more details.

Getting in here
If you’ve not been already, and if you’re interested in finding out what they’re all about – come and see them in Horsham. It’s a stunning nursery and the team are professional and enthusiastic, and as wonderful and quirky as you’d expect.

For more details, general enquiries and to open trade accounts, call 01403 891772 or email enquiries@architectural plants.com
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