LARKMAN NURSERIES: FROM ROOT TO BRANCH
05 Jun 2018
Larkman Nurseries has been a major Australian tubestock nursery for over 30 years. A NIASA accredited member of the NGIA, the company provides a wide range of plants that are suitable for any outdoor space project.
Larkman Nurseries was established in 1984 as Delagoa Tubes. In 1986 the nursery expanded to a five-acre site with thirteen plastic igloos and three brick glass houses. Throughout the 90s the business worked on broadening their customer base, range of plants and propagation area. In the early 2000s they built a 4000m2 shade house and 2500m2 of outdoor growing area.
Currently, the nursery propagates over 2 million plants per year. Due to the variety of genera, the nursery utilises many different propagation environments, including fog, mist, cold frame mist/hot bed, tissue culture and straight heat. Over 400,000 tubes and 300,000 are being cared for by the team of 30 at one time. So as to offer a broad range of stock, Larkman Nurseries have contracted the services of several specialist propagators for those plant varieties that need particular skills, stock conditions or growing environments. Exotic varieties from Europe are also important annually.
The two highest priorities for Larkman Nurseries are their dedication to expect customer service and quality assurance. The company’s ethos is to produce the plants that the industry wants and needs. All stock is handpicked and checked by expertly trained staff prior to despatch.
Constantly striving to improve both their products and services, Larkman Nurseries has developed a solid reputation within the cut flower and lavender industries, as the supplier of plants for commercial growers. Several of their introductions are now regularly grown for export harvest. The differences in varieties can be crucial for professional growers and the company’s passion for accuracy in plant terminology has resulted in Larkman Nurseries’ strong reputation for correctly named and true-to-form varieties.
Since the beginning, Larkman Nurseries has maintained steady growth and continual improvement in range, quality and customer service. The team intend to continue with the aim of becoming a permanent and integral part of the Australian Nursery industry.
Larkman Nurseries have an integral approach to their planting practices. The plants must perform well in the garden, and a wide range of plants must be stocked. The company believes it is detrimental to the industry if only a limited range of plants are produced. Thus, the staff are constantly searching for new, forgotten, unique or difficult-to-source plants. If a particularly unusual plant is found, Larkman Nurseries will order bulk stock in order to ensure its production.
Every year 10 to 20 new varieties of plants are introduced, from Australian and foreign breeders to specialist European collectors. The primary focus is on perennials, flowering shrubs and small flowering trees, as these plants encourage a maintained interest in landscaping.
Find out how Larkman Nurseries can provide the perfect plants for your next landscaping project via the links below.