An ex English teacher who thought she would grow some plants for a change... Now manages the business, but doesn't often manage to find time to work with the plants. She is helped by three Davids.
Propagation manager. In charge of propagating, responsible for producing thousands of beautiful plants, as well as directing and training the potters. He came to us from the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.
Sales supervisor. He is responsible for getting plants to customers, whether a few for a mail order, or pallets full for wholesale customers.
The botanist behind the business. Daytime Professor of Chemistry at Edinburgh University, where amongst other things he researches plants, particularly rhododendrons growing on limestone. In his spare time he writes databases and produces the website. Not a bad plumber, too.
Edith, Alison, Elizabeth, Ian and various others from time to time. And the new potting machine, inevitably known as Harry.
They prick out seedlings, take cuttings, pot on, shift plants, load for delivery. and work on garden designs and planting lists. Without the potters the nursery would be an empty field. Without the sales team it would be packed with plants and no space left to walk.
Each year we take on one or more students. Some come on placements from their horticulture courses, and we have recently had students from France, Austria and China. We are hoping to welcome another from China in the spring of 2009, and are looking for students for summer placements in 2009. We welcome applications, for periods of two or three months up to a whole year.
Anyone who comes by gets involved in helping. There is always something to fix or plumb or sort or type. Our sons come back and help out in all sorts of ways, and advice is freely given, if not always acted upon.
Thanks to everyone. It is a great team.
Do contact us. One of us might be able to help.
