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 In 1920 John Gemmell bought the cottage above from Auchinleck Estate. He built the greenhouse to grow tomatoes and other vegetables for local retailers. The cottage and greenhouses were then named Roadend Nursery. |
  The nursery grew over the years with John’s family working in the business. During the war years they contributed to the war effort. Tomatoes and vegetables were grown in the glasshouses and root vegetables were grown outside. |
  John’s family took over the running of the business with Andrew living on the premises. By 1965 the nursery was supplying markets in Glasgow and Edinburgh in addition to local retailers and the public. Tomatoes remained their main glasshouse crop. Flowers were grown outside. |
  The next generation of Gemmells were running the nursery by 1980. Unfortunately, the oil crisis of the 1970s almost crippled growers in Scotland and Roadend Nursery was badly affected. Cheap imports from Holland also swamped the market reducing the market value of Scottish produce. |
  In 1991 Ian Gemmells’ son Colin bought the nursery and started growing bedding plants for Glasgow and Edinburgh markets and local retailers. He renamed the nursery Nurseries Direct as reflected the nature of the business. Over the next few years he started opening to the public and built a retail area and coffee shop. |
 
Nurseries Direct grew quickly from 1991 turning more and more towards the retail sector. By 2004 Nurseries Direct was a fully fledged garden centre supplying the public only. The coffee shop was extended to seat 124. A new phase began in June 2004. |
  In November 2004 the new High Facade was erected to give a uniform look to the front of the Garden Centre. This allowed an entrance and exit door to be installed and added an extra 420sqm of retail space. In March 2006 a large canopy was constructed to the rear of the new building. This provided a further 1040sqm of covered area. Within this space plants, shrubs, heathers and bedding plants are displayed throughout the year. In 2007 the remaining growing greenhouse was brought into the retail domain providing yet more space for plant sales. |
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From £299.00
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Evergreen Interest
All year round interest.
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From £499.00
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Pebble Shore
Selection of Evergreen plants & grasses
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From £299.00
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The Ericaceous Border
A collection of acid loving plants providing interest throughout the four seasons.
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From £499.00
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Meander Path, Falls and Pool
Selection of plants providing all year round interest.
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From £649.00
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Tranquility
Collection of bamboo and grasses set off with white chippings and a large pebble water feature.
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From £199.00
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Shrub and mulch combination
A selection of decideous and evergreen shrubs for all year round interest.
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From £325.00
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Round Rockery
variety of alpines and dwarf shrubs in this compact, easily maintained garden
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