Edward’s daughter, Susie Stewart, said: “In those days there were no plastic pots, so our guys collected jam tins, coffee tins… from all around Bournemouth, from hotels, schools.”
This evolution meant plants could be sold all year-round and planted immediately.
In 1956, a year after opening Broomhill, a cafe was added selling tea and biscuits.
Then, in 1961, the first purpose-built garden centre – Garden Lands – was opened in Christchurch by TV presenter Percy Thrower.
Amy Stewart, Edward’s granddaughter, said: “I would absolutely love my grandfather to see it now.
“He created a whole industry. We now get to enjoy our gardens – we wouldn’t have done before garden centres.
“What he’s done is create a British hobby.”
Comments are closed.