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The Magic of Marchants

Posted:22 June 2015

For a horticultural treat, pop along this summer to the wonderful Marchants Hardy Plants in Laughton, East Sussex. We were there this weekend, walking around the inspiring garden filled with mainly herbaceous perennials and grasses including many rare or unusual cultivars in the soft June sunshine.

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Owned by renowned plantsman Graham Gough, the garden and nursery were created in 1998 by Graham with the encouragement and support of his partner, textile artist Lucy Goffin, from a rough heavy clay agricultural field. What an extraordinary transformation.

“The different textures, tints and tones give this garden a real depth and quality that changes constantly.” Andy Sturgeon, The Guardian Weekend

The Marchants nursery is brimming with temptation, most plants having been lovingly propagated and brought on by Graham and his team, and are assured ‘doers’ and bound to give pleasure and value as they rapidly develop in your home garden.

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Marchants do not do mail order, but have a brilliant catalogue listing all their perennials and grasses – each with its own delightful description – for example: *DISPOROPSIS aspera. A memorable trip to The Emperor’s Tea Mountain outside Ya an, China in 1995 (where this plant was collected) was made even more memorable by the plangent tones of karaoke wafting across the misty mountainside from the hotel restaurant. Evergreen with sweet scented creamy flowers, brown inside. 20cm.  

As an introduction to the catalogue, Graham, with his typically dry humour, writes: It is with relief and pride that I am pleased to say how few folk try to persuade me to include plant images in the Marchant’s catalogue. On the occasions they do I grow economical with the truth and confide with mock surprise that they are the first person ever to pop the question. There might then follow a short monologue in praise of our loyal public, in particular with regard to their huge creative visual capabilities. Give them a good description and they’ve the talent to work the rest out for themselves. At least that’s how it seems to work. Think about it too: pictures would leave less room to write. That may make some nurserymen happy but not me. Cramping my writing style would be tantamount to forcing me to wear undersized patterned sweaters; when at heart I’m a homespun Jacob fleece, loose fit sort of man.”

Its a must, do go!  For opening times, visit: www.marchantshardyplants.co.uk

CLICK HERE to view PDF of brochure.

Find them at: 2 Marchants Cottages, Mill Lane, Laughton, East Sussex BN8 6AJ

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