Mark Straver - Nurseryman Hortus Loci
Launched in 2011 by nurserymen Mark Straver & Robin Wallis, Hortus Loci is a unique breed of plant nursery, located near Hook in Hampshire. Offering a huge range of trees, perennials, shrubs and other plants, their clients include professional gardeners, landscapers, designers and is the only wholesale nursery in the UK offering such a comprehensive collection of plants of distinction at a single site. They supply many/most of the huge trees and plants for the majority of the flower shows around the UK and Mark spends much of his non-covid-affected time travelling around Europe sourcing the perfect trees or plants for landscapers and garden designers. In conjunction with supplying these high profile clients, they also have a large retail plant centre which is open to the public 7 days a week. This is a rip-roarer of an episode where Mark shares his thoughts on life, the universe and everything - well, almost! We hear about some of the decisions behind moving the Chelsea Flower show to autumn for the first time in it’s history; what it’s like importing huge consignments post-Brexit as well as Mark’s thoughts on Scottish cuisine (all his own views!) and breeding rare chickens.