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1900's The origins of Webbs Nurseries can be traced back to the middle of the 19th century when Edward Webb was a successful agricultural seeds merchant trading from Wordsley, nr Stourbridge, in the West Midlands. By the end of the century Webbs seeds had become a household name and were appointed seeds-men to every monarch from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II.  Early in the 20th century, Edward's Grandson, William Webb, took over the business and involvement in the Wychbold area began. Astwood Farm was bough in 1925, and agricultural and horticultural seed was trialled here. The garden seed trials were established along the Birmingham-Bristol main line railway, but moved near to the A38 in Wychbold in 1937 when the car became the main form of transport. |
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1940's Bransford Nursery evolved from a traditional fruit, hop and livestock farm where a small number of glasshouses were used to propagate plants for three months of the year. John Tooby, the company's founder, wanted to find a way to utilize these glasshouses for the other nine months of the year and eventually Nursery Production replaced the unprofitable fruit business.  |
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1960's Bransford Nurseries became an important producer of roses and trees, led by general manager, John Edmonds. The nursery was regarded as an innovator within the industry helping to pioneer the production of trees and shrubs in containers. In 1963 the Bransford Nurseries became an enterprise of John Tooby & Co. Ltd and was now managed by Charlie Salter.  In the late 1960's, Webbs Seeds merged with Bees and moved to Chester, leaving the site occupied by a fledgling garden centre managed by William Webb's son, Michael.
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1970's In 1971, John Edmonds, the general manager of Bransford Nurseries, won a Nuffield Scholarship to look at nursery stock production in the United States. From this, Bransford became the first UK nursery to include Osmocote, controlled release fertilizer, in their compost and the idea of 'green survival' was born. The 'Plant a Tree in 73' campaign led the initiative to form the 'Tree Council' and instigated 'Tree Week'. In the same year, Richard Webb, great grandson of the original founder, purchased the Wychbold site with his wife and began the development of the site as both a garden centre and nursery.
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1980's Hops were no longer produced by Bransford Nurseries and livestock farming became a marginal enterprise. William Tooby, the son's founder and current owner, became the nursery manager in 1982 and the business focused on the wholesale of quality stock to garden centres across the UK. 
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1990's For Bransford Nurseries, the 1990's saw the introduction of many promotional plants and ranges: 1990: Ornamental Grasses and the introduction of Hebe 'Rosie' with its pink pots and memorable POS 1991: BREATHE WITH EASE - PLANT SOME TREES  
 1993: Bransford Nurseries became Bransford Garden Plants to reflect the emphasis of the business on quality garden plants. Hebe 'Purple Pixie' was launched at Gardeners World Live in its now famous purple pot and Hebe 'Rosie' won a gold medal at Plantarium in Boskoop, Holland. 1994: The first in the POTS series was launched in 1994 - "Pots of Pleasure, a range of handsome shrubs for the garden and patio" 1995: Abelia 'Confetti' was awarded the Grower and Scotgrow award for the most imaginative, innovative and useful introduction and Bransford was involved in two award winning gardens at Hampton Court Flower Show. 
 New introductions were a way of life for the next few years: 1996: Geranium 'Pink Spice', Rose 'Captain Scarlet', the Whittard Tea Plant, Flower Carpet White, Nemesia 'Fragrant Cloud' and Pots of Perfume and Pots of Colour. 1998 - Alstroemeria Inca, Rose 'Lady Penelope' and Abelia 'Confetti' 1999: Breathe with Ease was re-launched for the millennium, Pots of Gold was launched, Hebe 'Dazzler', Hebe 'Pink Paradise', Hebe 'Pink Elephant' and Hebe 'Silver Dollar'.  
 Throughout these years, Webbs expanded and developed to establish itself as both a leading horticultural centre, and regional tourism attraction, with a succession of retail awards. |
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The new Millennium The beginning of the new millennium saw more plants and concepts being introduced to the garden centre market by Bransford Garden Plants. 2000 - Bransford Zone Concept was launched, as well as Flower Carpet Sunshine and Fuchsia 'Janie', 2001 - New merchandising ideas were introduced to help gardeners select their trees more easily, including Tree Wheels and Tree Triangles. 2002 - Hebe 'Pink Pixie'TM, our biggest ever plant promotion was launched to universal acclaim.  
 
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2005 Bransford Garden Plants and Webbs Nurseries merged to form the The Bransford Webbs Plant Company. The combination of both businesses improves quality, efficiency and the range we can offer our customers.  |
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2008 Campaign Plants Inspiring the final consumer through inspirational and lifestyle images... 
 Campaign Plants were a great success in 2008. All six plants were successfully delivered to the 43 garden centres taking part while they were at the peak of their salability. Many garden centres took part in the display competitions - sending in an image of their plant display for each campaign plant. The winners of each different campaign plant were awarded a bottle of champagne, and the best display, Caerphilly Garden Centre's Leucanthemum 'Aglaia' display, won £250 worth of leisure vouchers for their plant area staff. (See the news section for more information and images throughout the year) Bransford Webbs were also awarded Best Retail Promotion at the 2008 Garden Retail Awards for the Campaign Plant initiative. Campaign Plants will be in garden centres in 2009, with plans currently in place to continue it into 2010 with new plants and a slightly different format to the marketing aides. |