The growing of plants in tin cans first started in America before World War II. Tin cans were used in this country when available, but it was not until the advent of cheaper plastics, and in particular polythene, that container growing methods were seen as an alternative to field production.

Container grown plants have advantages over bare root plants, being easier to handle by staff and customer alike in the garden centres, and they are available all year round. The advent of container grown plant production has revolutionised the nursery industry.

In 1965 a small 0.5 acre area on the home nursery was laid out as a trial ground. The method proved successful, but the area was on a slope and in the way of Woodbridge Garden Centre's expanding Planteria.

Another trial area was built, this time on Creek Field, and this proved to be the model testing ground for a new 20 acre container unit that was started on Melton Field in 1972. This was laid out to allow maximum field utilisation with low growing plants grown on the road between the wheel tracks and high clearance tractors were purchased, as these had the ability to drive over the top of the crops. During the 1980's the large tractors were replaced with mini tractors that pull gangs of self steering trailers behind them. Today an increasing number of Electric tugs are used.

Polythene tunnels were built to provide for winter protection and quicker growth throughout the year. With the compost regulated by the nurseryman and the amount of water and temperature that the plants are grown with also likewise controlled, growing plants had never been easier. In case complacency should creep in, it was not without its problems. In February 1985 all the Melton 'poly tunnels' collapsed under the weight of snow. It got worse. In late August 1987, a localised, golf ball sized, hailstorm hit the Woodbridge and Melton areas. It affected Creek Farm fields, but not the adjacent glass propagation house. It moved out onto the River Deben, travelling inland and across Melton, damaging every car as it went, denting roofs, bonnets and smashing windscreens before totally devastating the Melton container unit. Here, pots were split from top to bottom, polythene tunnels shredded, branches snapped and plants defoliated, 100,000 plants had to be repotted, 3 acres of polythene tunnel had to be re roofed. This was nearly completed, when the storm of October 1987 blew it away.

By 1982 additional container capacity was required. That same year, Notcutts bought Waterers Nurseries, and this resolved the space problem, short term. In 1985 Pettistree container unit was started, and by 1989, 20 acres of containers had been completed and a 2¾ acre glass house had also been built, providing protection for foliage and roots alike, which are far more exposed in pots than when grown in the ground. Expansion has continued and today Notcutts has the largest acreage of containers in the country. In 2000 a 3¾ acre glasshouse was built, with sub-irrigation capillary sand beds throughout.

Irrigation water is obtained from bore holes and at Melton a recycling process using slow sand filter technology "cleans" the water, removing any chances of bacterial infection being spread.

The potting operation is now almost fully mechanised. The potting machine and associated robot takes empty pots, fills them with compost and loads them onto a trailer for transportation to the growing area automatically. The only skilled staff activity is the positioning of the young liner plant within the pot.

Waterers Nurseries

Waterers Nurseries in Bagshot, Surrey, was started in 1825. For over 150 years Waterers showed considerable skill, patience and persistence in breeding improved varieties of Rhododendrons. Over 100 varieties were introduced, but perhaps the best known the world over is 'Pink Pearl', which was first released in 1897.

During the 1950's the late Percy Wiseman (Waterers Nursery Manager 1924-1963) realised there was an increasing requirement for compact growing Rhododendrons for the smaller garden. He started hybridising Rhododendron yakushimanum with various compact growing, large leafed hybrids. The result was an outstanding series of low growing, free flowering plants, one group of which was named after the seven dwarfs but perhaps the best hybrid is named after him.

In 1982 Notcutts was offered the nursery and garden centre side of the business, Waterers Landscapes being retained. This brought Notcutts six advantages: another Garden Centre in prosperous Surrey, a well respected trade name with many valuable garden centres as customers and much good will, a distribution base west of London, additional propagation and liner facilities, 30 acres of nursery land, when container space was running out at Woodbridge, and finally, expertise and stock of ericaceous plant which had not been a strength at Woodbridge.

The garden centre was soon incorporated into the growing family of Notcutts own garden centres.

The nursery continues to provide ericaceous and general nursery stock, predominantly to Notcutts Garden Centres and also to the trade. In addition, there is a purpose-built cash and carry department, "Select and Collect". This caters for the smaller landscape contractor, and from here the entire range of Notcutts plants is available.

In 1998 Round Pond Nurseries was added to the growing family of nursery businesses. Located only six miles from Bagshot, the 15 acres of container unit quickly became a satellite production nursery, expanding the ericaceous speciality of Waterers by adding a new range of varieties of Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

In 2000, Richalps Nurseries was acquired. As a specialist Alpine and Herbaceous Perennial nursery the broad range of promotional plants was a welcome addition to the range of varieties available through Notcutts.

Mattocks Roses

Mattocks Roses of Nuneham Courtney, near Oxford, was started in 1875. It was probably the best known mail order rose supplier in the country when it was acquired by Notcutts in 1985. Mattocks Roses, for it retains the name, continues to be the agent in this country for the rose breeder, Kordes of Germany. Through Mattocks, Notcutts have remained at the forefront of the exciting world of rose breeding, introducing many new varieties each year.

The most successful group of roses yet introduced are the "perpetual flowering" County Series. Each one is named after a different county in England and Wales, and so far 20 counties have been covered. Originally introduced as ground cover roses, they have found many uses in urns, tubs and planters as well as in hanging baskets.

The garden centre at Nuneham Courtney became the ninth in the growing family of Notcutts own garden centres.

Every year Mattocks exhibits at the Chelsea flower show, and like Notcutts, wins Gold Medals most years. Mattocks also exhibits at the RHS Hampton Court.

The Mattocks range of roses is available in Notcutts Garden Centres in their distinctive branded purple pots. These roses will appeal to the discerning gardener who appreciates the disease resistance and superior breeding of this range.