McLarens Nurseries Ltd

McLarens Nurseries: a Scottish plant grower near Glasgow

McLarens Nurseries Ltd is a family-run business that grows and supplies plants to both retail and wholesale markets. It describes itself as a Scottish-based supplier and grower operating from a 50-acre site on the outskirts of Glasgow, near Uplawmoor. The company states that it was established in 1973 and presents itself as one of the biggest intensive nurseries in Scotland.

From a small holding to a 50-acre site

The nursery traces its origins to Robert McLaren, described as a time-served electrician, and his wife Ruth, who gave up their jobs to pursue a passion for growing plants. They began by renting a small holding at Inchinnan, Renfrewshire. After two seasons, Robert purchased a 2.5-acre nursery in Ardrossan called Stanley Nursery. That site operated for many years before the business relocated to its present location in Lugton and began trading as McLarens Nurseries Ltd.

The current site outside Lugton was bought in 1980 and was then a bare, un-drained field. It now extends to 50 acres, with 25 acres in operation and 15 of those under glass or poly-tunnel. The company says it erects its own tunnels and continuously develops and expands to suit growth and demand.

Customers and markets served

McLarens Nurseries supplies garden centres, garden sections of DIY stores, landscape gardeners, charities, golf courses, the general public and architects. It offers trade accounts with what it describes as competitive wholesale prices, and its website includes a trade account application process.

Plant range and catalogue

The nursery states that its catalogue contains over 3,200 popular and rare varieties. Its stock ranges from herbaceous and evergreen plants, deciduous shrubs, ornamental grasses, trees, specimen plants, rhododendrons, azaleas and fruit trees. It also carries a great number of larger specimen shrubs. The company notes increasing demand for exotic and more unusual varieties and says it carries as broad a range of plants and trees as possible.

Delivery and collection

The website indicates that local delivery is offered within its area, and that customers outside the delivery zones are welcome to use click and collect. The site refers to a delivery page for more information.