Dundonald Nurseries

Dundonald Nurseries has grown plants on its site at Old Dundonald Road since 1963, when Robert Hutchinson established a three-acre wholesale nursery supplying shops across the region. Three further generations of the family now run it: his daughter Anne developed the container and hanging-basket lines, grandson Andrew expanded into shrubs, trees, hedging and Christmas stock, and granddaughter Emma opened the restaurant and gift areas. Around 95 percent of what they sell is still propagated and grown on the premises rather than bought in, which is unusual for a garden centre of this size. Alongside the growing beds and glasshouses there is a 125-seat restaurant, a gift shop and a boutique. The nursery remains a single independent site, and staff are used to advising home gardeners on planting for local soil and conditions.