History

W C Wicks were amongst the most famous nurseries in the country being founded in 1880 by William Charles Wicks who, before starting his own business, was employed as a gardener. His father was a gardener for Lord Nelson, the descendent of the great admiral.

W C Wicks had two sons, the second William Wicks and his brother George James Wicks, both born in the 1890’s and both served in the great war. George received a bullet through the head at Gallipoli, and was mentioned in dispatches having his citation for gallant and distinguished service in the field signed by Winston Churchill, then Secretary of State for War. Despite his wounds George not only survived the war but lived until he was 81 years old.

George Wicks moved to the existing site in 1923 and passed the business down to his son James Anthony (Tony) Wicks.

It was 1957 that was to be remembered as the year the firm arrived at the top of the horticultural profession. The story began six years earlier in 1951 when the business had taken delivery of a dozen or so shabby looking African Violets, some scalded but with an odd bloom or two on them.

After buying several books on caring for African Violets and making further imports of stock from California, sales of the new plants began in 1952. In 1954 the company was awarded the Royal Horticulture Society’s Silver Floral Medal. In 1955 the firm gained another silver medal at the Chelsea Flower Show, a further silver was won in 1956 and in 1957 the firm reached the pinnacle of professional recognition with no fewer than six gold medals awarded at six consecutive flower shows.

The awards gained by the firm became as much a selling point as its practical experience of growing African Violets, being the first nursery to grow these plants commercially and the firm continued to exhibit at Chelsea until the mid 1970’s. In 1979 Tony Wicks started selling plants to the general public and from there the existing garden centre was born.

In 2003 Tony retired and sold the garden centre to a local couple, David and Elizabeth Rhodes. They continued the tradition of selling quality plants whilst developing the garden centre considerably. The Jasmine Tea Room, the gift shop and the garden furniture department are now well developed and offer an excellent choice.

In November 2007 Mark and Claire Spencer, owners of the local Spring Lane Farm Shop, bought Floralands. Their drive, experience and enthusiasm for retail will ensure future growth and a pleasurable experience for all our customers!