Holden Clough in the Press, TV and on the Radio

Welcome to our 2007 season, know that many of you have been very patient in waiting for this to be published but the last few years have been very chaotic with my health taking a plunge for the worse as the dreaded Foot and Mouth Disease hit this area of Bowland. Thankfully my illness was not terminal as that in livestock but I did make medical history and the early years of this century were a very worrying time for all of us here at the nursery. Thanks to the good help of many friends, family and some brilliant medical consultants and surgeons my eyesight has been saved and I can see to propagate plants once more. At the same time this has all been instrumental in encouraging my son John to assist me in the business, as you may have seen in the RHS The Garden’ magazine and on BBC Gardeners’ World last year. He has developed a great interest in the colourful South African Crocosmias and you will find many superb varieties listed. He is shortly to enter Askham Bryan College to further his studies in horticulture and landscape design but no doubt will be keeping a close eye on progress back home.

Visitors to the nursery will have noticed several changes taking place recently as we redevelop certain areas with interesting planting schemes and utilise the shelter now given by some of the well established trees and shrubs that have been planted over the years since Richard Mime-Redhead started the nursery in 1927. Many of the conifers that you now see gracing the nursery were planted by my father Harry who sadly died earlier this year at the grand age of 93, but his enthusiasm for the well being and future of the nursery was always evident and he closely monitored current progress with his grandson John. Restoration of the 1920’s Alpine House will soon be underway to replace its present wrap of polythene sheeting and a new rock garden paved display area is being designed. Eventually the formally planted beds of perennials will give way to island beds of mixed stock plantings that will assist us when entertaining visitors on the Nursery Events that have recommenced this season. Details can be found in the catalogue.

In order to extend the life of this catalogue into our 80th Anniversary year we have included a number of items that are under propagation or recently potted and will not be saleable until next season, so you are very welcome to enquire as to plant availability before placing an order. Alternatively for a fairly up- to-date listing of current plant stock you may wish to browse our website at www.holdencloucihnursery.co.uk and order on-line if you prefer. In the next few months the complete website is to be renewed with many pictures to be included.

Between April and October we attend a number of flower shows and plant sales and we can certainly take plant orders along for collection if sufficient notice is given. In addition I have extended my range of talks presented to clubs and societies and full details of these can be obtained from the nursery or viewed on www.gardentalks.co.uk, where again pre-booked orders may be collected. Finally I am pleased to a member of the Alston Hall College team of tutors at Longridge near Preston and full details of all their courses, including gardening and wildlife, can be found on www.alstonhall.com or telephone 01772 784661. A list of all events, shows, plant sales etc. can be found at the back of this catalogue.