A New Alliance for Britain's Specialist Nurseries
Image: Pexels / Tima Miroshnichenko
In 2006, more than 800 specialist nurseries were listed in the RHS Plant Finder. Two decades later, that number has fallen to less than half. For many in the horticultural world, the decline is a worrying trend. Specialist nurseries play a vital role in the industry, not only through plant conservation and growing expertise, but also by cultivating a rich diversity of high-quality plant material that underpins gardens across the country.
In response, a new initiative has emerged. The Nursery Exhibitors Organisation (NEO) has been formed by a small group of nurseries with the aim of promoting and supporting specialist growers throughout the UK.
The organisation is committed to highlighting the importance of specialist nurseries and the remarkable range of plants they produce, both to the public and within the wider horticultural industry. A key part of its mission is to actively promote homegrown and British-grown plants, helping to ensure the continued strength of the domestic nursery sector.
NEO also aims to support nursery exhibitors at flower shows, encouraging the creation of judged floral displays that showcase growers’ expertise while sharing specialist horticultural knowledge with visitors. Beyond established shows, the organisation is exploring opportunities to introduce plant marquees, plant fairs and ‘plant villages’ at both new and existing events.
Supporting the next generation of growers is another important goal. NEO hopes to encourage new nurseries through mentoring and to inspire people of all ages to pursue careers within the specialist nursery sector.
Membership is open to specialist nurseries across the UK, with the organisation encouraging growers to collaborate and support one another as a community. So far, more than 70 British nurseries—of all sizes and specialising in an enormous variety of plants—have joined the network, and recruitment is ongoing.
Members are now working together to develop ideas for the future of the sector, with a particular focus on increasing public events where gardeners can connect directly with growers. A newly launched website lists member nurseries and includes a search facility by location and plant type. It also provides a comprehensive list of events where plants can be purchased directly from the growers themselves.
As the organisation continues to grow, NEO is also building an ever-expanding group of supporters—an encouraging sign that, despite the challenges facing specialist nurseries, there is strong enthusiasm for protecting and promoting this important part of British horticulture.