Our History

How the Plantsmiths Began

Back in the 1980's we (Celia and Keith) were living in Cirencester, Gloucestershire with two small children, a reasonably secure income and a garden with two greenhouses. Producing plants began as a hobby. It slowly turned into a business as we began to sell off a few surplus bedding plants to friends. Our next door neighbour offered us the use of his greenhouse too and we were able to increase production and moved on to selling at car boot sales.

How Sweet Peas came into it.

Celia's family had always had a particular interest in sweet peas (her father was secretary of the National Sweet Pea Society for many years). As soon as she was independent with her own garden in Coln St Aldwyns, Gloucestershire she carried on the family tradition of growing and showing sweet peas. In due course she introduced Keith to this rewarding hobby and made sure he showed some natural aptitude for it before she agreed to marry him! In 1986 we decided to produce autumn sown sweet pea plants for sale by mail order. Our first plants were sent out in March 1987. In the following year we were offered the use of an old walled garden near Tetbury and on that ground produced sweet peas and other cut flowers for the florist trade.

The Origin of The Name

Although the business was then very small and not at all profitable, we decided it needed a name. A friend suggested "The Plantsmiths" (derived from our surname Smith). It seemed a good idea and the name has stayed with us.

The Move To Wales

In 1988 we decided to take the gamble and go full time into horticulture. Gloucestershire was too expensive. By chance we found Midway Nurseries in Penybont, Powys, Mid-Wales. It was a small nursery set up 4 or 5 years earlier and we felt it had potential. The gamble paid off. We are still here; the nursery has grown steadily over the years, along with the family. Mid Wales is very beautiful and unexploited. We couldn't wish for a better place to live and work.

Three months after moving in...