Date: 02/12/2010
In 1984 a Cumbrian landscape designer bought a rundown property in the heart of the Eden Valley, 25 years later and after a much publicised planning wrangle during 1993 and 1994 in which the secretary of State eventually intervened, Larch Cottage Nurseries is celebrating it’s quarter century in business.
Unable to find the right plants for his landscaping business owner Peter Stott decided to grow them himself. Combining his love of Art, beauty and good architecture with a passion for Italy, he and his team of experienced craftsmen have created – and are still creating - A Secret Garden hidden in the heart of the Eden Valley where Romanesque walls, draped with greenery act as a backdrop for the peaceful gardens bursting with mature stock plants.
‘From the spawning frogs to the brilliant plant specimens’, the whole thing is a joy to behold!’ – Visitors book March 2009
As host to over 15,000 varieties of plants, the vast majority of which are propagated on-site, we specialise in Rare and Unusual Shrubs, Perennials, and climbers, Japanese Acers, Old Fashioned Roses, and slow growing and Dwarf Conifers. For many of these varieties we are the country’s only suppliers as listed in the RHS Bible, The Plantfinder.
We have been described in The Daily Telegraph as ‘The Lake District’s best kept horticultural Secret’ and as ‘An exciting destination for any gardener’ by Roy Lancaster writing in The Garden.
Larch Cottage has Supplied Kew Gardens, Botanic Gardens Durham, RHS Wisley, plus many National Plant Collections as well as Sheffield botanical gardens, Worcester college, Myerscough college, Shipley college, Oatridge college, Gardening Which, University of Warwick and Alnwick gardens
Our mail-order service sends out plants 10 months of the year from September to June and orders have been sent out to countries including, America, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Poland and Luxemburg
As part of the celebrations running throughout the year Larch Cottage are giving away an Acer Palmatum to the first 1,000 customers during the month of April, in June there is 10% off all Cornus Kousa bought in the nursery and the year ends with one lucky prize draw customer winning a large specimen Acer, beautifully potted that will be on show throughout the summer in the courtyard which forms the entrance to the nurseries and worth in excess of £300.
As an RHS partner Larch Cottage will be running ‘Working with Nature’ on the 8th July – an informative evening with Ian Gregg OBE An informal evening hosted by Ian Gregg OBE in which he will focus on the importance of the ¬whole garden – each area playing its own part in creating a fascinating and sustainable ecosystem.
On the 15th September guest speaker Nick Dunn from Frank Mathews ‘Trees for Life’ will speak on the creative use of ornamental trees in the garden.
Still very much working as a landscape designer Peter is planning a series of 4 hour courses where a limited number of attendees will be asked to bring along photos of their own gardens for discussion and dissemination.
We have a fantastic selection of House Plants located in the orangery in the courtyard, and also stock an extensive range of statuary in marble, bronze, lead and stone. Some are individual pieces, comissioned to order, whilst othere are sourced from reputable suppliers worldwide. We hold a vast range of terracotta and glazed pots as well as popular garden ornaments - something for every taste!
On site we have the renowned Greenhouse restaurant offering a taste of the Mediterranean using the produce of Cumbria, with a terrace overlooking the gardens and onto the Pennines beyond,
Adjacent is Red Barn Art Gallery featuring contemporary British artists and sculptors working in a wide variety of media.
Larch Cottage Nurseries is 'A Plant Kingdom'-
Garden Answers
Melkinthorpe, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2DR
Click here for more info
Email:
plants@larchcottage.co.uk
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