Rowan doesn’t pretend to be one of the big boys in the garden centre world. Located in a country lane and flanked by fields, it is a refreshing rural destination for plants, garden merchandise and equine essentials and only 10 minutes drive from Chorleywood.
“Rowan is very much about the plants” says owner Alison Pao, “We have a fabulous outdoor plant area and shrub section. There’s a Kitchen Garden and a vast choices of ornamental and fruit trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses, conifers, hedging, topiary, roses (both David Austin and Peter Beales), alpines, bedding and vegetable plants in season, and hanging baskets all made up on site. Many of the shrubs and perennials are grown in the nursery and we offer a planting design consultation (redeemable) where I visit the site to give ideas or we can advise from a phone picture!”
Rowan has always been outstanding and it was this that led Alison to take it over in the first place.
“When I was a full time Garden designer I never went anywhere else for my plants so when the owner retired I took it over with business partner Chris Veys“
It’s all very chilled at Rowan – relax with a coffee and cake on the rustic terrace overlooking grazing horses, browse the local art in the Seasons café and potter in the shop.
The Centre stocks every gardening need from plant pots to houseplants, competitively priced fertilizers and tools, compost and inspired gifts – check out the handmade mugs and jugs from Jane Hogben of Gerrards Cross and the Wellington oversized Stone Sculptures designed and produced by Oxfordshire based husband and wife team
When you do go to Rowan, keep an eye out for Bertie the French Basset Hound, he is as much of a pleasure as the flowers and fragrant roses
Rowan Garden Centre, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB 01494 872335 www.rowangardencentre.co.uk
