West End Nurseries was started at our site in Newton Abbot by my parents in January 1961.  The site was a dilapidated market garden with trees growing out of glasshouses and much of the site overgrown by plants that should have been sold some twenty years earlier.

It was decided that the business would develop a shrub and conifer nursery by buying and selling stock from local and European nurseries.  A propagation unit was built in 1964 with an annual production of 20,000 plants.

In 1966, the Marldon site that used to be an old vinery was purchased.  This was also changed to accommodate the production of shrubs and conifers.  By 1971, the annual production had risen to 100,000 plants.  Production varied in pot size from 3” to 12” pots and a considerable amount of stock was sold balled or bare foot.

In 1974, the oil crisis meant a change of direction was required and the start of liner production commenced.  By 1981, the annual production had increase to 500,000 plants with some climbers and perennials added to the range of shrubs and conifers.  The production of liners was the main crop, with finished stock making a minor contribution to overall sales.  Finished stock production stopped in 1987 and the emphasis on liners started in earnest.

 2003 saw the completion of our new propagation unit and weaning houses.  An area of 4,300 sq metres combined the most modern technologies available with those of traditional propagation methods.  This unit, while optimising energy efficiently by the use of computer controlled systems, also benefits from handling systems that have significantly reduced our labour costs.  We can now offer rooted cuttings that are grown to our customer specification.  We will be pleased to discuss your individual requirements.

Now we are one of the leading liner specialists in the UK, our annual production being in the region of 2 million plants.  All our staff and managers are highly trained and motivated.  They all contribute to the progress and development of the business.  Some of the major achievements have resulted in quality management systems being incorporated into the daily work processes.