A warm welcome to Adam Davis, who joins the sales team as our southern sales rep; find out about Adam’s hobbies and new role below:
1. What will your new job role include?
Developing the sales and profitability of our Amenity sector, through the management of existing accounts and by seeking out, and developing, relationships with new customers.
2. What are you looking forward to most in your new role?
Getting to know the customers and identifying new business opportunities available.
3. What do you think the challenges will be?
Continuing to exceed our customer’s expectations around lead time, whilst working within the ever-increasing legislation and environmental uncertainties.
4. Where did you previously work, and what was your role?
As an estimator for a kitchen manufacturer – supplying kitchens, on a large scale, to new build developments and refurbishments.
5. Anything you have learnt so far that you didn’t know before?
I have already learnt too much to list! Particularly lots of (Latin) plant names!
6. What do you like to get up to outside of work?
I enjoy most sports, mainly playing football and road cycling. I am also part of a running club. I enjoy growing veg and cooking with less commonly used ingredients. But of course, my favourite past-time must be wrestling with my two young boys!
7. Favourite meal?
I’ll happily eat most things. As a true Yorkshireman, put gravy on it, and I’m there!
8. What football team do you support?
York City FC
9. You have an allotment; what do you like to grow?
I love growing chillies, however, I’m trying to grow more alternative veg’, such as fennel.
10. Skiing or a beach holiday?
I’d have to say skiing, although I have been skiing indoors in Dubai, so maybe you can have both!
Vicky Newell, Amenity Sales Manager said: “We are thrilled to have Adam Davis join our Amenity sales team; he will primarily be looking after our customers in the South of England. We wish him well as he settles into his new role”.
Posted 26th Apr 1:49pm
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Johnsons staff have achieved over 11 million steps during March as part of the Cancer Researches Walk All Over Cancer Challenge.
The staff involved in the challenge raised a combined amount of £736.50 for the Cancer Research Charity and achieved a combined step count of 11.4 million steps.
28 members of staff at the nursery pledged to walk 10,000 steps each day during March and an internal challenge was organized where staff members merged into teams of four. The team with the most steps during March won a prize from the company.
The winning team ‘Retatch’ included Steven Morton, Matt Campey, Katalin Dacre and Martyn Osbourne who achieved a whopping 2.3 million steps combined.
The team were able to rack up their steps during the working day on the nursery with the average outside worker clocking up 10,000-15,000 steps per day, they would then go for additional walks on an evening and weekend.
Staff taking part in the challenge also included Hannah Holland, Hannah Smith, Katie Short, Frances Whyte, Sarah Greenwood, Hannah Smith(2), Vicky Newell, Tony Coles, Andrew Barker, Adrian Price, Rob Forrester, Terry Cooper, Eleanor Richardson, Rachael McPherson, Chris Davis, Tracey Richardson, Tom Chilton, Mick Huby, Russ Berkley, Alex Harmon, Isaac Onions, Claire Horner, Jonathan Richardson and Dmytro Orlov.
Walks completed in the challenge include nursery walks, Mam Tor to Kinder Scout, Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, Duncansby Stacks, Brimham Rocks, Whitby, The Stray, Harrogate and Wentworth Castle Gardens.
All staff taking part received a cancer-research t-shirt, Johnson’s water bottle and a certificate for completing the month’s challenge.
Marketing Manager and challenge organizer, Eleanor Richardson said: “ The walking challenge has had many benefits, from team building to improved mental health. Staff have been walking together on a lunchtime, purposely going further afield for walks on evenings and weekends and have all felt the benefits mentally and physically.
Not to mention the positive impact the fundraising has provided too knowing we have raised vital funds for the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. We are over the moon with the funds raised which is what this challenge was all about.”
Cancer Research is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information. The funding supports anything from a new research centre to glass slides that are used to analyse cancer cells. Globally cancer research invests 400 million dollars each year across prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Over the last 40 years, cancer survival rates in the UK have doubled. In the 1970s just 1 in 4 people survived their disease for 10 years or more. Today 2 in 4 survive. cancer researchers’ ambition is to accelerate progress and see 3 in 4 patients survive the disease by 2034.
Posted 11th Apr 11:37am
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To celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee and gardening, we have created a competition for local Primary Schools to design a Platinum Jubilee Garden and win £250 worth of plants for their school.
What do you have to do?
What will I win?
Those in 2nd and 3rd place will win a plant for their own garden.
Terms and Conditions
For further information or any questions please email marketing@nurserymen.co.uk
Posted 7th Apr 3:26pm
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We have all been devastated by the recent news in Ukraine and have started a collection of items needed. Staff, customers and suppliers can donate items which we will then organise going to the Yorkshire to Ukraine group.
Yorkshire to Ukraine is run by local people and businesses who have joined forces to start collecting donations and transporting them to Ukraine. So far they have organised and transported 13 vans/trailers, and 5 Artics full to the brim of donations.
More information on the charity can be found below:
If you wish to add to our collection, please leave goods in our reception area or contact marketing@nurserymen.co.uk.
Items needed include:
– Food (Dried food (something they can cook easily), Canned foods, Children’s juices in plastic bottles, baby bottles, baby formula, protein bars)
– Hygiene products (Nappies, wet wipes, sanitary items, toilet paper, disinfection products, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste and toothbrushes)
– Linen (Camp beds, sleeping mats/yoga mats, sleeping bags, bedding, towels, blankets, duvets and pillows)
– First Aid (Bags, dressings, gloves, bandages, painkillers, cough and cold medicine, children’s medicines)
– Clothing (Brand new. Winter gloves and hats for children and adults, socks, thermals, socks and shoes)
– Electronics (Power banks, torches, batteries)
Once we have a large number of items, we will deliver them to the Yorkshire to Ukraine group direct.
Posted 7th Apr 8:52am
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Spring is finally here, with trees starting to bloom, daffodils and tulips starting to emerge and bees making an appearance for their first nectar collections. There’s plenty to be doing in the garden this month from deadheading flowering bulbs to applying lawn fertilizer. Check out our latest reminders, put together by our Chairman and Horticulturist John Richardson.
Prune early flowering shrubs such as Forsythia & Hamamellis after flowering is over.
Mulch shrubs and fruit bushes when the weather begins to warm up, but not deeply into the centre of the shrub.
Soak rootballs of new evergreen shrubs before planting and water in after planting.
Propagate perennials such as Rudbeckias, Heleniums and Monardas by dividing older plant stools, ensuring that you choose a healthy outer section.
Divide and replant primroses when they have finished flowering.
In mild weather slugs and snails may well begin to eat the shoots of newly growing perennials. Use environmentally approved slug pellets as a control.
Continue to dead-head spent daffodils, tulips and other late wintering flowering shrubs.
Towards the end of the month collect woody twigs to use as supports for perennials before they get too long and straggly.
Apply residual weedkillers to gravelled driveways and footpaths. Be careful to ensure that the application is confined to the treated area and not the surroundings.
Begin mowing the lawn weekly, but with the blades set quite high until the rate of weeds that suddenly appear, give the lawn a top-dressing of high Nitrogen fertilizer.
Make sure old leaves of Helleborus have been removed.
Tie in the young growth of climbing plants and trained plants. Pinch out some of the young growths if new shoots are too prolific.
For more hints and tips head to our solution page here
Posted 7th Apr 9:23am
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May has arrived as bulbs start to fade in borders and are replaced by vibrant flowering herbaceous and shrubs as summer is on its way. Now is the perfect time to prepare your garden for summer. Check out our latest reminders, put together by our Chairman and Horticulturist John Richardson.
Prune early flowering shrubs such as Forsythia after flowering is over. Remove deadwood and thin shoots to keep older bushes in shape.
Pick off dead flower heads of Rhododendrons and Azaleas to allow new growths to develop, and mulch with leaf mould.
Dahlias may begin to sprout in mild conditions under glass, but don’t plant out until frost is past. Consider taking cuttings of the first shoots.
Some plants like Forget-me-Nots can spread very rapidly from seed. To contain them, pull up the plants as soon as they finish flowering to prevent them from seeding everywhere.
Trim lawn edges frequently to develop a firm edge which will not sink when walked upon.
In dry spells, continue to water those trees and shrubs planted since Christmas.
If you have not used weedkiller to treat the lawn this Spring, use the grass mowings to mulch trees and hedge plants.
Propagate greenhouse plants, mainly foliage and climbing plants. Increase shading as necessary, and watch out for those odd late frosts.
Pick off the flower heads from spent daffodils, tulips, and other spring-flowering bulbs which have gone over, and give a top-dressing of general fertiliser.
In mild weather, slugs and snails may well begin to eat the shoots of newly growing perennials. Use environmentally approved slug pellets as a control.
Start spraying roses regularly against greenflies using a systemic insecticide. Remove rolled-up leaves containing Tortrix caterpillar or sawfly grubs and destroy.
Continue to stake tall herbaceous plants such as Delphiniums. Pinch out the tips of other tall-growing plants. Thin out the older weak shoots from the centre of plants more than three years old.
Apply residual weedkillers to gravelled driveways and footpaths. Be very careful to ensure that the application is confined to the treated area and not surroundings.
Begin mowing the lawn weekly, but with the blades set quite high until the rate of growth increases. Dig out those perennial weeds that suddenly appear.
Continue to support glasshouse grown tomato stems and remove side shoots regularly. Feed every week or 10 days after the fruits begin to swell. Stop laterals growing from the main stems of cucumbers and remove all male flowers and tendrils.
Remove raspberry suckers coming up away from the bed row. Thin new canes to 15cm. apart on the support wires.
For more hints and tips head to our solution page here
Posted 29th Apr 10:46am
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April sees the garden starting to wake up, as more shrubs and herbaceous plants start to bloom including some Clematis. Pieris, Spirea and Brunnera varieties. Check out some of our favourite April flowering varieties below
Delicate star-shaped flowers appear in spring against bronze leaves that mature to dark green with great autumn interest.
Flowers: March – April
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 10m depending on the variety
Soil: fertile, moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 10L,12L + (subject to availability and the variety)
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Bergenia’s large leathery leaves make attractive ground cover, while its flowers provide an early source of pollen for bees and other pollinating insects.
Flowers: March – April
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 0.6m depending on the variety
Soil: Any soil type
Pot size: 2L, 3L (subject to availability and the variety)
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Tiny blue forget-me-not flowers appear against heart-shaped silver dusted leaves in spring. A beautiful groundcover plant for a shaded border.
Flowers: April – May
Position: Partial shade
Height: Up to 0.4m depending on the variety
Soil: Fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L (subject to availability and the variety)
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A great addition to a wall or fence in the sun or partial shade-providing colour in early spring when little else is flowering. Flowers are available in pink, red and white.
Flowers: March – May
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 2.5m
Soil: Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 3LD, 5L (subject to availability and the variety)
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Some of our Camellia plants are in full bud right now (start of February) this plant makes a great addition to a partially shaded border or large pot with luscious green foliage and flowers available in shades of pink, red and white.
Flowers: February – April (depending on the variety)
Position: Partial shade (not east-facing)
Height: Up to4m + (depending on the variety)
Width: Up to 2.5m (depending on the variety)
Soil: moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 7.5L, 10L, 20L + ( subject to availability and the variety)
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Flowers: March – April
Position: Full sun – Partial shade
Height: Up to 2m (depending on the variety)
Width: Up to 2m (depending on the variety)
Soil: Fertile, well drained soil
Pot size: 10L, 20L ( subject to availability and the variety)
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Sweetly scented yellow flowers appear on bare stems during March and April gollowed by bronzed, hazel like leaves which mature to bright green.
Flowers: March – April
Position: Partial shade
Height: Up to 1,5m (depending on the variety)
Width: Up to 1.5m (depending on the variety)
Soil: Fertile, moist, well drained ,acid soil
Pot size: 10L, 20L ( subject to availability and the variety)
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Flowers: April – May (often have a second flush in summer)
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 2.5m
Soil: Moderately fertile,well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 10L (subject to availability)
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Flowers: April – June
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 1m
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Heart-shaped flowers appear in spring above fern-like green leaves. Great in a shady border or as part of a cottage garden planting plan.
Flowers: April – May
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline
Pot size: Available in 2L and 3L pots subject to availability.
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A long-flowering semi-evergreen with narrow, grey-green leaves. This perennial produces spikes of purple flowers from late February to July and will make a great addition to a long flowering sunny border.
Flowers: February – July
Position: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, well-drained, neutral soil
Pot size: Available in 2L pots subject to availability.
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Is filled with huge heads of yellow-green flowers with ‘bronze eyes’ from late March-May that tower above its bluish-green foliage. Great at the back of a sunny border.
Available in 2L pots subject to availability.
Flowers: Late March-May
Position: Full sun
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Flowers: April – May
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 2m
Soil: Moist, well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 5L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Yellow flowers smother branches from March – April providing a notable cheery sight to the start of spring. Try planting at the back of a dull border or even as a hedge with its full height reaching 2 meters.
Flowers: February to April
Position: Full sun or light shade
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained, neutral soil
Pot size: Available in 2L and 3L pots subject to availability.
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A great addition to the garden, brighting up a dark corner, with double yellow flowers that burst from mid-late spring.
Flowers: March-May
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 2m
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
Pot size: 10L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Flowers: April-May
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 3m
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L 10L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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A pretty deciduous shrub with zig-zag branches and crimson buds that open to display white flowers with pink centres in early spring. Its luscious green leaves appear after the summer months and are then followed by bright reddish/orange leaves before falling in the Autumn. A perfect small compact tree for a smaller garden or patio pot.
Flowers: March-April
Position: Full sun
Height: Up to 2m
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
Pot size: 10L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Another sign that spring is on its way… Magnolias in bud, these varieties generally flower from March-April onwards but some may appear towards the end of February.
Flowers: March – April onwards
Position: Full sun or partial shade (depending on the variety)
Height: Up to 10m (depending on variety)
Soil: Moist-well-drained, acidic soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 10L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Pieris plants generally flower from March-May but buds start to appear in February. Ideal for a partially shaded shrub border with flowers resembling lily-of-the-valley and available in shades of pink, red and white.
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Flowers: March-May (depending on variety)
Height: Up to 2.5m (depending on the variety)
Width: Up to 2m (depending on the variety)
Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained acid soil or ericaceous compost
Pot size: 2l, 3L, 5L, 7.5L, 10L, 20L (depending on the variety and availability)
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Flowers: April – May
Position: Full sun
Height: Up to 3m depending on the variety
Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 2LD, 3L, 3LD, 5L, 10L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Fuzzy pink catkins appear on varieties such as ‘Mount Aso’ during late winter – early spring, a wonderful eye-catching addition to the garden.
Position: Full sun
Flowers: April – May
Height: Up to 4m (depending on the variety)
Width: Up to 3m (depending on the variety)
Soil: Moist but well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3LD, 5L, 10L ( subject to availability and the variety)
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Are you in need of some autumn/winter colour? Skimmia Rubella are known for their dark red flower buds that are produced in autumn and last through to winter until the flowers open in spring — an excellent plant for a patio pot or border.
Flowers: End of March – May (depending on variety and whether its a male or female cultivar) flower buds are seen in autumn-winter.
Position: Partial – full shade
Height: Up to 1.5m (depending on variety)
Soil: Moist-well-drained, acid soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 10L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Evergreen Viburnums such as tinus are a great shrub for winter interest with dark green leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers from December to April.
A great low maintenance, easy to grow shrub that can brighten a part shaded area of the garden when little else is flowering.
Flowers: December – April
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Height: Up to 3m (depending on variety)
Soil: Fertile, moist-well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 10L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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A great low growing ground cover plant with pale blue flowers and lance-shaped dark green leaves. It is excellent at suppressing weeds and would make a great addition to the front of a border. It generally flowers from April – September.
Flowers: End of March- April – September
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 0.45m depending on the variety
Soil: any but very dry soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
Posted 11th Apr 1:00pm
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