A passion for gardening and learning lies at the heart of Guildford Garden Centre, which last year celebrated 30 years in business.
“Our secret to success is our honesty and loyalty to customers,” says owner and horticulturalist Joanne Harris.
“We keep our prices fair. If we don’t know we will find out for you, it’s a learning experience for the staff.”
Guildford Garden Centre is a destination nursery that draws visitors from all over WA, especially for its bare root trees that are available in June and July. Joanne also has regular overseas customers who order plants and gifts online for local family and friends.
Joanne believes people should buy what grows best for their area, saying if someone from City Beach wants to buy a cherry tree, she will likely talk them into something more suited to the coast.
Anything edible from herbs and vegetables to mango, olive and avocado trees “walk out the door, because people are shopping from their garden,” she says.
Guildford Garden Centre is now a multigenerational business, with Joanne’s daughters Emma Taylor and Caitlin Purser working alongside her, and Emma’s teenage daughter taking on an after-school job.
The centre’s new horticulturalist Georgia is also an Auslan interpreter. She has worked with the deaf community for 20 years and is excited to be able to share her knowledge on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
96 James St, Guildford. Open seven days from 9am to 5pm.
Horticulturalists Luke and Paula Simm opened their West Swan nursery in 2015, choosing the location based largely on its water quality and position in the heart of the Swan Valley.
Luke had been a horticulturalist and experienced commercial grower for more than 20 years before deciding it was time for his own nursery, a decision Paula supported.
Their customers come from all over WA, while overseas visitors “like to drop in to compare gardening in Perth to their own countries”.
Luke’s original specialty was roses grown on Fortuniana root stock but Supreme Plants has evolved to sell citrus, berries and most mainstream fruit trees alongside natives, ornamentals and roses.
Autum and spring are always busy with gardeners stocking up on roses, tropical fruit trees and berries.
7321 West Swan Rd, West Swan. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm.
Things are about to get spicy in Henley Brook as Swan Valley Chillies emerges from hibernation in the first weekend of October.
You will find between 60 and 80 chilli varieties, from garden and kitchen favourites through to novelty and rare lines, sourced from Australia and 26 countries.
Although Ron and Kathrine Goldsmith only opened Swan Valley Chillies to the public in 2023, production manager and co-owner Kathrine has lived in the Swan Valley 35 years and has more than four decades of horticultural and gardening experience.
This year’s chilli colours will include white, green, brown, red, yellow, orange, peach, purple and black, as well as multicolour fruit that sits upright such as Mexican Twilight, Firecracker, Fire and Ice, Tabasco and Razzamatazz.
You will see chillis that resemble hearts, dragon claws, pumpkins, UFOs and mushrooms, as well as the rare Himo Tagarashi, and the Hangliao-Helix Nebula aka the Chinese space pepper.
“We love the idea of growing something different and novel that brings people joy, sparks conversation and you get to eat is as well,” Kathrine says.
Whether you want to make your own sauces, dry chillies, or stuff them, Swan Valley Chillies can recommend which variety is best.
58 John St, Henley Brook. Reopening early October through January.
This is where to go for fresh seasonal flowers from the farm gate, or from a market stall on Saturdays.
Swan Valley Flower Farm in Middle Swan is also a regular at many Perth suburban farmers’ markets.
Grown year-round, sunflowers are its most popular flower. Snap Dragons and mixed bunches are also popular for those who don’t have a preference.
143B Wilson St, Middle Swan. Open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 1.30pm. Saturdays from 8am on Toodyay Rd near the Talbot Road intersection.
This unique nursery, cafe and gift shop tucked away between vineyards in the heart of Henley Brook opened in 2020 on the site of a former bed and breakfast.
It quickly became popular with families because of its huge playground and cute farm animals, while seniors enjoy browsing the pots and plants then having a cuppa on the verandah.
Owner Jon Jessop has a horticultural background and propagates many of his own succulents, herbs and palms.
Whether you’re after something small like carnivorous plants, or large established fruit trees, you’ll likely find it at Swan Valley Station.
Swan Valley Station also has an always-changing range of garden art including rusty animals, wind chimes, windmills, statues, and water features to make your garden or courtyard pop.
Jon expects bird baths, wind spinners and citrus plants will be popular heading into spring.
For those interested in aquaculture, you can observe marron and yabbies in their tanks and perch fishing from the marron lake is available for a fee.
60 Forest Rd, Henley Brook. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm and public holiday Mondays.
Did you know the Swan Valley’s warm climate and sunshine make it perfect for growing water lilies?
Owned by Tracy and Tim Hoffman, The Lily Farm has been a fixture of Baskerville for 15 years, growing water plants including Australian native and frog-friendly varieties.
Tracy says the most popular water lily is the Colorado because it flowers all year around, while the Wanvisa always stuns with its multicolour flowers.
“Every flower is different, and it’s fabulous if you only have a small pond and you would like a bit of variety from a single lily,” she says.
Potted lilies are sold ready to go straight into a pond, with summer the best time to purchase and see them flower. Cut lilies for vases are also available.
The Lily Farm also sells native pygmy perch which are popular for frog ponds.
“Many new subdivisions have a small land area, however, people still want to attract nature into their gardens, so small frog ponds are very popular,” Tracy says.
“A lot of retired people really enjoy relaxing around a pond and it is a great hobby.”
Drop by with the kids and they are welcome to feed the fish free of charge.
130 Haddrill Rd, Baskerville. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm and Sundays from 9.30am to 3pm.
Gardening will feel like less of a chore with funky accessories from this Herne Hill store that has been open for even years.
Popular items include gloves and tools from brands such as Annabel Trends and French Country.
Expect to see plenty of new pots, planters, urns and gloves arrive in time for spring.
6/660 Great Northern Hwy, Herne Hill. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
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