Charitable garden centre Chestnut Nursery in Poole is investing in its plant-growing infrastructure – thanks to a mammoth fund-raising effort by one of the UK’s best known exotic plant specialists.
Renowned plant collector Mike Clifford and his wife Tina have spent six years opening their private Botanical Jungle Garden in Poole in aid of Chestnut, raising more than £10,000 from entry fees.
Run by the charity Plants and Minds, Chestnut – and its sister nursery Cherry Tree in Bournemouth – support people who are experiencing long-term mental health conditions (known as Team Members) via therapeutic horticulture.
Award-winning horticulturist Mike has developed a collection of several thousand rare and exotic plants in the 65x35ft garden nestled behind his Dorset bungalow, and a small 30 square foot garden at the front.
In July and August, five open days had 530 people queuing down the road for an opportunity to marvel at Mike's treasured collection of exotic and tropical plants, which has been featured on BBC Gardeners’ World.
Not content with having raised more than £8,000 for Chestnut in recent years, Mike has just handed over a cheque for £2,120, raised via entry fees to his garden openings this summer.
Transforming growing facilities
Chestnut is a rare example of a thriving town centre retail nursery. Much of the bedding, perennials and exotics are grown on-site by Team Members in glasshouses, a polytunnel and nursery stock beds.
Mike's fund-raising has enabled Chestnut, which is famous for its extensive range of exotic plants, to channel investment into infrastructure improvements, including new propagation kit used by Team Members to grow plants from seed and take cuttings.
Almost 40 tonnes of gravel has been installed to boost drainage in polytunnel and outdoor growing areas, creating optimum conditions for nurturing top-quality plants, while new paths have been laid to improve site safety.
The latest donation from Mike will see further investment, with specialist thermostat and mist irrigation equipment bought and installed on the nursery’s propagation bench, increasing the range of plants that will be grown for sale.
Andy Verreck, Nursery Manager at Chestnut, said Mike and Tina’s generosity had enabled Chestnut to invest in first-class propagation and growing facilities that would benefit Team Members, boost plant production and help the nursery stay ahead of competition.
Andy said: “Mike's enthusiasm for sharing his passion for exotics has raised thousands of pounds for our charity in recent years. We are indebted to Mike for his kindness and dedication to supporting people on their journey to improved mental health and wellbeing – and ensuring Chestnut remains a leading destination for top quality, home-grown plants.”
Mike said: "It has been a great privilege to raise funds for the incredible mental health support that's provided at Chestnut – a fantastic charity.”
A tropical gem in Dorset
Mike initially opened his Botanical Jungle Garden under the National Gardens Scheme (NGS). However, after two years, he switched his fund-raising efforts to Chestnut because he wanted to support a local mental health charity.
Visitors have marvelled at some of Mike's most treasured plants, including the palm leaf begonia (Begonia luxurians), a Brazilian native which soars to more than three metres high each year, and the golden fuchsia (Deppea splendens), famed for its trumpet-shaped yellow, orange and burgundy flowers. Discovered in Mexico in 1973, it's now extinct in the wild.
In 2024, Mike was presented with the Maurice Mason Award by the Royal Horticultural Society's Tender Ornamental Expert Group – one of the most prestigious awards for the cultivation of tender plants in the UK, which recognised Mike's achievements in propagating endangered plants. Mike also donates plants to leading botanical establishments such as RHS Garden Wisley, Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens and Kew Gardens.
