Leading commercial nursery Johnsons of Whixley has donated hundreds of plants to surrounding local communities in isolation.
A range of seasonal garden plants has been distributed to villages situated close to the business's headquarters in Kirk Hammerton, North Yorkshire. Residents picked up the plants from collection points – while observing social distancing and as part of their daily exercise.
The nursery, which supplies three channels to market including the commercial sector, garden centres, and via a trade counter Is particularly concerned about the potential to waste perfectly good plants due to the current lockdown. Like all fresh produce, garden plants have a shelf life before they are past their best or require significant cost investment to hold them over.
The crisis could not have come at a worse time for growers, who are usually at their busiest around the Easter period. It is estimated, that nationally, the current surplus stock is worth more than £250m! Rather than allow some of their plants to be wasted, Johnsons chose to donate its Garden Centre quality stock to boost the spirits of local communities' and help with mental wellbeing for those in lockdown.
Throughout this week, staff have delivered various varieties to different locations for people to take home. Villages to benefit include, Whixley, Roecliffe, Marton Cum Grafton, Kirk Hammerton, Cattal, Little Ouseburn and Nun Monkton.
Plants donated include cheerful flowering varieties such as include Viburnum tinus , Vinca minor and Choisya ternata 'Sundance'. The colourful Photinia fraseri' Red Robin, Pieris' Forest Flame' and Bergenia Harzkristall are also included, along with geranium and Californian lilac – all perfect for spring and summer planting.
Johnsons regularly makes donations to causes within the community, including £5,000 to help restore the stained glass windows at Whixley church, and plants worth thousands of pounds to a number of schools in the area, including a donation worth more than £5,000 to Springwater, a special needs school in Harrogate.
Eleanor Richardson, Johnsons marketing manager, said: "We thought it would be nice to share some springtime colour with our local villagers, who might be feeling anxious or pent up at this difficult time.
"Our business is approaching its centenary in 2021, and we value our long-standing relationship with each of the local villages who have always been a rich source of key employees".
"There are clear links between gardening and mental wellbeing. Hopefully, these donations will help people to get through this situation, giving them a reason to be outdoors in the fresh air, caring for their plants."
