The all-new Stonham Garden Centre goes big scale for garden landscapes

A developing business – owned by Luke and Sophie Hughes of Ipswich – has opened at Stonham Barns Park retail village to bring specimen plants and flowering shrubs to Mid-Suffolk to create ‘Mediterranean’ gardens for those of us who love to spend the warmer months outdoors.

David Nevard, also from Ipswich, is managing the garden business that has grown steadily over the past six years from sales at weekly markets throughout Suffolk.  David- who has worked in the garden centre sector for the past 10 years – is managing the all-new outlet Stonham Garden Centre that provides high quality outdoor trees, shrubs and plants including Olive trees, Palm trees, Cordyline trees, Bird of Paradise and Bougainvillea plants, topiary and much more.

The Garden Centre at Stonham Barns Park has changed hands following the previous owner’s retirement from the operation however the Tuscan Terracotta Pot business – specialising in large pots – will remain located at the Stonham Barns Park location.

‘We have gone big-scale when it comes to the trees we stock as planting specimen trees has become the new normal,’ explains David of Stonham Garden Centre.  Everyone seems to have moved towards ultra-contemporary landscaping ideas – including a shift towards the more Mediterranean garden feel – since spending more time in the garden over lockdown. The perception that gardens are an integral part of home life is very real.  Outdoor rooms – for BBQs and dining al fresco – are now a regular part of life in the UK.  With the hotter summers, the chances of spending more quality time outside are very real and so people are upgrading their garden spaces with porcelain patios and water features and to complete these projects people need planting.’

‘From bright yellow Sunflowers to dramatic blue Echiums and Alliums we have the flowers, plants and trees that make gardens spectacular setting the scene for entertaining throughout the spring, summer and autumn.’

‘We are looking forward to putting Stonham Garden Centre back on the map.  We want to show the gardeners of Suffolk how to make the most of their outdoor spaces – by keeping our overheads low and buying from the best European suppliers – we hope to keep our prices as competitive as we can as this is what will help us all get through the cost-of-living challenges we are facing at the moment.’

Alongside outdoor plants, the business is selling indoor plants to enhance interior design.  ‘Indoor plants have taken off massively too’, continues David.  It’s about bringing the garden indoors to create calm within our homes.  This is particularly relevant to people who live with smaller gardens or no gardens.  Balconies can be an outdoor haven too.  Garden spaces are being enhanced and indoor and outdoor space is blurring.  It’s all very promising from a garden business perspective!’.

For further information on Stonham Garden Centre go to contact David Nervard on 01449 710080.