Plants with Purpose is a specialist nursery based in Perthsire, Scotland, for unusual and overlooked herbs and useful plants. I'm Margaret Lear and I started the nursery in April 2001 on the back of a garden design and consultancy service aimed at making gardens and horticulture more sustainable. Since when the range of weird plants held in the nursery has increased dramatically, as have the weeds in the garden and the reproductive exertions of the slugs in the undergrowth. But while the slugs aren't allowed to have things all their own way, what is a weed? I continue to discover bizarre and thought-provoking uses (ancient and modern) for ALL my plants, while more and more people are finding their way to us and demanding more edible plants, more wildlife gardening information and, sometimes, recipes for weed stew....
PLANTS WITH PURPOSE SPECIALIST NURSERY
"Unusual Herbs and Useful Plants organically grown in a Cold Climate"
The nursery grew because I am driven to propagate plants. When they start to take over, you have to start selling them. I shun plants that just sit there looking colourful but provide neither food for the table, remedies for ailments nor nectar for butterflies. I mean, what is the POINT of Begonia semperflorens? (oh go on, do inform me). Being also an (occasional) beekeeper with an eye on pollination, plants which attract bees and other insects I consider to have a special purpose. Insects are part of the wider ecology, so you will find plenty of help for wildlife in the catalogue. No artificial chemicals are used either in pest control or fertiliser, and we use organic methods exclusively to produce plants. Everything we sell is produced on the nursery; we never buy in "instant" plants from distant hothouses where they have been forced into early growth, and as Perthshire can be a very cold place, you can be sure that if we say it's hardy, it's hardy and acclimatised to cold!
As well as plants, we now stock information booklets, herbal soaps, beeswax candles, dried herbs, bookmarks, unique purposeful plant greetings cards and a range of essential oils. At times, we have honey available as well.
WORKSHOPS, GARDEN DESIGN AND CONSULTANCY
I can have my arm twisted to do SOME design and consultancy work. Having physically worked in landscape construction, the designs I  produce will "work" practically, and what's more, a management plan to ensure they develop in an attractive way can be included in the package. Follow the link above for more details! but forget it if you want an instant garden with no maintenance and lots of mirrors and decking. I can't be bothered.
Having been unable to subtract myself from education from pre-school to degree level (and there really isn't much difference!) for over 30 years, our workshops and talks have become an integral part of the business - one that looks set to become more and more important.
Keep an eye on our courses and workshops page for up to date information.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER AND GET SPECIAL OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS!
Send an E-mail to
mail@plantswithpurpose.co.uk with ENEWS in the subject line and you will receive regular news from the nursery - and be able to take advantage of special offers not available in the on-line store.
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