About us

The nursery is owned by husband-and-wife team Steve Richardson and Julie Dolphin. In 2016, they left Bristol and their respective careers for the Cotswolds countryside and the opportunity to buy the going concern Miserden Nursery. Over the next six years, they evolved the business to almost three times its original turnover, and now have a loyal following of customers who appreciate the quality and range of plants they grow, as well as excellent advice and customer service. They are supported by a small, dedicated team who love growing and sharing their knowledge and passion with customers.

Julie developed a passion for horticulture whilst working as a journalist and television producer. Her interest started with the make-over of a small herbaceous border in the garden of her Bristol home and soon became an obsession, culminating in an RHS course at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden. After a period living in Holland, she combined both her TV and horticultural skills when she joined the BBC’s Gardeners’ World series, working as Horticultural Researcher alongside Monty Don at Longmeadow. “I loved working on Gardeners’ World but I was always itching to work outside with plants. Nursery life can be demanding at times but is thoroughly rewarding - and it keeps you fit! I’m just in the process of developing a garden from scratch and it’s a lovely thing sharing my flowers with the bees. Pure bliss!”.

 

Steve left education with a materials science degree and enjoyed 35 years in hi-tech materials-based industry. His journey included several international assignments and covered a broad spectrum of business roles from technical sales, through operations to finance. In later years he specialised in business and supply chain integration. “It has been great being able to test my experience to support my own small, but complex, business as well as attempting to learn to support a whole new “horticultural product line”.

Outside work he has always been a keen DIY-er, renovating several properties and gardens over the years. I really enjoy the days working outside, in the fresh air meeting customers whilst building and maintaining the Nursery.

 

Caroline Boddington has horticulture in her blood as she comes from a family of market gardeners whose lives centred around growing for both business and pleasure.

“One of my earliest memories is of dad cutting row upon row of hothouse chrysanthemums for the cut flower market.

“I’ve always loved growing and now I'm lucky enough to have a large garden where I can indulge in my passion for later season prairie planting, always with a focus on wildlife, especially bees. For me, there is nothing better than swathes of heleniums, rudbeckia, sanguisorba, symphyotrichum (asters), eupatorium and grasses - and they are all fabulous for cut flowers. Ferns are another passion; I could go on and on…!”.

One of Caroline’s favourite jobs on the nursery is splitting stock. “"It's hugely rewarding to wield a saw and, in no time at all, have many young, healthy treasures."

 

Sharon Jackson has a natural eye for detail and a thirst for creativity. Normally found at her allotment or as a florist weaving floral magic at weddings, events and workshops, Sharon has been part of our team for many years now (under the guise of ‘many hats wearer’) Whether it’s general nursery duties, adding sparkle to displays or taking social media under her wing, you are sure to bump into her friendly face!

Sharon has just moved into her new cottage and is excited to be planning a cut flower haven in her country garden.