The former Huntley Garden Centre in Gloucestershire has re-opened as Leaf Creative under the ownership of award-winning garden designer Peter Dowle.

The site had fallen into disrepair following its closure three years ago. Mr Dowle has spent the summer preparing the centre for its re-launch as a design-orientated garden retailer with an emphasis on specimen trees and shrubs. “Of course we will have some smaller plants as well, but there will be plenty there for people who do not want to wait 25 years for a bush or a shrub to grow,” he told Gloucestershire Live last week.

The Ross-on-Wye-based designer, who has won several Gold Medals at the RHS Chelsea and Malvern Flower Shows, had his first Saturday job at the centre in the 1970s. His father Julian also worked there.

Peter says he wants Leaf Creative to grow into something “a little bit different” in a part of the country where the demand for large plants has not been well catered for up to now.

 “We want to create a new style of plant retailing which is firmly rooted in design,” he explained. “People will be able to come along, see the plants and have the opportunity to talk to our people who are trained in horticulture and design.”

The six-acre site, which has created six new jobs, will complement his respected Howle Hill Nursery near Ross-on-Wye and is already well-stocked. Its new coffee shop, The Ferns, is open for business. Future plans include a shop, indoor plant department and displays showing planting combinations.

Peter’s famous Chelsea Golds (of which there are 11) include gardens for companies like L'Occitane and Renault.

Right: Leaf Creative takes shape at Huntley