City Life is the City of Cardiff's premier lifestyle magazine.

Going Dutch

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One thing we really enjoy doing at City Life is introducing readers to Cardiff’s hidden gems. The Dutch Garden Centre may be well known to many of you but this brilliant, family owned garden centre is still, amazingly, not on your radar.

First, let’s dispel a few myths. While it was established by a Dutchman, it doesn’t just sell tulips. No, the Dutch Garden Centre is a proper garden centre – a purists’ garden centre. No chain outlets, no gift shops, no café (there is a coffee machine), no, this is the real deal – a garden centre run by gardeners.

Owners Lisa and Gary have taken over the centre after their father, Jaap Deen (yes, he’s Dutch) retired a year ago. Jaap established the centre over forty years ago and his grandson Sam is the third generation of the Deen family to be involved.

Gary, who has 36 years’ experience as a landscape gardener is clearly passionate. “We want the garden centre to be known for its purity as a garden centre. We love giving advice and helping visitors. I think what sets us apart is the personal service we offer. We’re reasonably priced and, because we’re gardeners ourselves, we’re in tune with what’s in season and popular.”

Their enthusiasm, as a couple, is infectious. As we chat away about plants, pots and hanging baskets, you can tell they live, eat and breath horticulture – their knowledge is breath-taking.

“Spring is so busy for us,” says Lisa. “We have customers who have been buying hanging baskets from us for over thirty years. Every spring they pop back in – they really are like old friends.”

Need help with your hedging plants? Need to consult someone on conifers? How about tutoring on tulips? The Dutch garden Centre believes it is South Wales’ largest stockist of trees, shrubs, conifers and hedging and bedding plants as well as being a specialist importer of Dutch flowering shrubs and bulbs.

The couple add, “We select only the best plants for our customers and have seasonal offers running all year round to ensure you get the best value come rain or shine.” And hundreds of happy, satisfied customers can’t be wrong.

Gary is also happy to visit your home or business to recommend what to plant – advice, personal service, price, quantities and qualities. “We sell a lot of semi mature trees, hedging, hanging baskets, window boxes, pots, topsoil and turf to the trade and public. There’s not much we don’t do if it’s garden related.”

From decorative stones to landscaping sundries and plants this green-fingered couple are clearly love what they do. “You know,” says Lisa, “we still get excited about coming to work after all these years. We don’t regret a day.”

What customers say…
“Plants lots of them. Good prices. You’re not paying for fancy premises. It’s a proper garden centre. Very helpful staff.”

“Great value, quality plants, wide variety and helpful staff.”

The Dutch Garden Centre
Maes-Y-Bryn Road
Pontprennau, Cardiff CF23 8LZ
Just off Junction 30 of the M4
029 2077 7050

Opening times
Monday to Saturday 7:30am til 5pm
Sunday 9am til 4pm

www.dutchgardencentre.co.uk

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