Bransford Nursery evolved from a traditional fruit, hop and livestock farm where a small number of glasshouses were used to propagate hops for three months of the year. Webbs Nurseries origins can be traced back to the middle of the 19th century, beginning life as an agricultural seed merchant. John Tooby, the company's founder wanted to utilise these glasshouses for the other nine months of the year and eventually in 1961, nursery production replaced the unprofitable fruit business. William Tooby, the son of the founder and current chairman, became nursery manager in 1982, and the business focused solely on the wholesale of quality stock to garden centres across the UK, moving away from hops completely.

 

 

 

During this period Bransford Nursiers became Bransford Garden Plants to reflect the emphasis of the business on quality garden plants. Numerous new plants and ranges were introduced including, Hebe 'Rosie' with its pink pots, Breathe with Ease, Hebe 'Purple Pixie' in purple pots, Geranium 'Pink Spice', Fuchsia Janie, and Hebe 'Pink Pixie' - our biggest promotion to date. A major capital investment programme transformed the site into a modern nursery, with the building of two new 5000m2 of glasshouses, a purpose built potting facility and a new propagation unit.

 

 

 

 

In the summer of 2005, Bransford Garden Plants and Webbs Nurseries merged to form The Bransford Webbs Plant Company. The innovation of concepts and new plants has continued with Dianthus 'Passion' and 'Memories', Clematis 'Bijou' and 'Filigree', Buddleja Chips, and our Cut your Own range. For 2012, a new despatch and office facility has been developed, and the nursery continues to go from strength to strength.

For a more detailed history please visit the trade section