Nigel Coombs
Garden Centre Manager
Named after his beloved mother, 'Rowena Nurseries' was founded by American Sam Dimmock in the second World War to grow and sell tomatoes. The Carpenter brothers bought the business in 1954, growing mainly bedding plants as well as some of the first 'grafted tomatoes' that customers would travel huge distances to buy! The nursery moved to the present site just off the A6 at Rothley in 1976 and in 1989 was dubbed 'one of the oldest and biggest nurseries in Leicestershire', with more than 40 acres of land, stock that included unusual plants from Europe and the Ivory Coast and a small zoo*!
Now run by a cheerful and professional team of horticultural experts, the centre offers an excellent array of top quality growing stock and gardening products. Loyalty is key here - one member of staff has been with the centre for 34 years and 5 have more than 100 years' experience at Rowena between them!
Whilst plants and gardening remain the primary focus, the centre also stocks garden furniture, wild bird care products and a great range of giftware and cards complemented by the fantastic Conservatory Restaurant that serves delicious home-made food - just as Rowena would have liked it.
*For those who remember him, the once-resident llama, known for his polo mint habit, now resides happily in West Midlands Safari Park!
The gold standard for any tree lover, Westonbirt holds an iconic place in the world of horticulture. Renowned throughout the globe for its unique collection of rare, fine and, in many cases, ancient, trees and shrubs, it is wonderful in every season. A place of superlatives, some of the oldest, tallest and rarest trees in the world are here, planted since 1829 throughout 600 acres of Cotswold countryside. There are more than 18,000 catalogued trees, 17 miles of easily navigated paths, endless leafy glades in which to wander and explore and an air of tranquillity that is hard to equal. Not to be missed.
