Our aim is to offer an interesting range of high quality plants that are of considerable garden value, as well as being reliable and easy to grow.  The plants listed in the catalogue will bloom over a long period, while most also have attractive foliage that gives structure and interest for many months. Many of our plants are at their best mid-summer onwards, a time when gardens are becoming tired and lacking colour.  The catalogue includes a brief description of each item, together with its likely size and cultural requirements.  Plants that have been awarded an RHS Award of Merit are indicated by

As we are located only half a mile from the south coast, many of our plants are suitable for growing in coastal gardens.  These are shown by the symbol * and a full list of them is available on our website, www.hortusnursery.com/catalouge. All gardens have their own unique microclimate that depends on their proximity to the sea, geographical location and the amount of shelter so not all of the plants are suitable for all coastal gardens but we will be happy to advise you.

 During 2003 we developed a display garden from scratch that features the plants listed in our catalogue, as well as many others that we are still trialing.  You are welcome to visit the garden free of charge when the nursery is open and there are also photographs of the garden on our website. Our services also include garden design, planting plans and advice, border planting and renovation.

All our plants are propagated from specimens growing in our garden and are then grown on by us in the nursery.  Many of the tender perennials which are listed will over winter in a sheltered spot outdoors in the southwest, although they may need more protection elsewhere and all will over winter in a frost-free greenhouse.  All our tender plants require a sunny spot and a well-drained soil unless otherwise stated.

We update our catalogue annually and all plants are offered subject to availability.  If a particular choice is not available, we will be happy to advise on a suitable substitute, or we can contact you as soon as your choice becomes available.

We are open from Wednesday to Saturday, March 5 to October 25, 10 am to 5 pm and by appointment at other times.  We are usually on hand to offer advice, but if you have a query you would like to discuss with us in person, please phone first to ensure we will be there.  The nursery is located on the A3052 at Rousdon between Lyme Regis and Seaton.  Rousdon is served by the ‘Jurassic Coast’ bus service, X53.  Timetable details are available from 08706 082608.

We are happy to prepare orders for collection with advance notice. For large orders plants can be packed in stackable trays, but we must charge a deposit of £5 for each tray that will be returned with the tray.  Orders over £20 can be delivered free within a 5-mile radius of the nursery.  Large orders can be delivered elsewhere by arrangement with a specialist horticultural shipper.  Charges start from £70 and depend on the number and size of plants shipped.

We are able to send plants by mail, but we have a minimum order value of £15 plus postage and packing.  We regret that we cannot deal with small orders as the cost of postage often exceeds the cost of the plants.  Please read the enclosed notes for mail order customers and then phone us to discuss your requirements. We are happy to bring plants for collection to fairs we are attending (see News section).

We have an interesting range of tomato plants that are available in April to May.  As many are unusual varieties, we hold a tomato tasting when we are open for the National Gardens Scheme.  In 2008 these will take place on Sunday August 17 and September 21.  We regret that we cannot send tomato plants by mail order, as they are not sufficiently sturdy.

Notes for mail order customers
Unfortunately we cannot always safely send plants by post.  Tender plants cannot be sent if there is any danger of frost or cold weather as they could be damaged in transit.  Plants in full growth can often not be posted safely because it is impossible to fit them into a parcel for example; a Thalictrum aquilegiifolium in flower can be 1.2-1.5 metres (4’-5’) tall.  For plants to arrive safely (and the right way up) there have to be enough in the parcel to hold them in place – although we can use the odd empty pot to fill the gap this will not work if too many empty pots are included.  Although we have had very few problems sending plants by mail order, those that have occurred have been with small, light parcels because heavy parcels have to be handled and carried more carefully.  For this reason we have a minimum mail order value of £15 plus postage and packing.

People are often unpleasantly surprised by the cost of sending parcels as it can be nearly as much as the cost of the plants themselves for example; six one litre plants costing £2.50 each and totalling £15 would currently cost around £13 postage and packing.  The exact cost varies from parcel to parcel depending on the size and weight of the individual plants, so for this reason we ask you to phone us with your requirements so that we can weigh the plants in the box and phone you back with an exact figure.

TERMS OF BUSINESS

Payment may be made in cash or by cheque payable to M-E Houghton.  Unfortunately, we cannot accept credit or debit card payments.

We take great care to maintain a high standard and we aim to ensure that all items leave the nursery in good condition.  If problems should occur please contact us immediately for a replacement or full refund.  We will replace any plant that dies within 12 months of purchase, providing it has been planted correctly, been given sufficient water, has not been neglected and it has not been damaged by adverse weather conditions.  Tender perennials should not be planted too early as they could be killed by late frosts.

The key to giving your plants a good start lies in proper planting and we are happy to offer a leaflet outlining the best way of establishing your plants.  Details are also available in the ‘Care’ section of this website.