Larch Cottage Nurseries

Larch Cottage Nurseries: rare plants, gardens and a gallery in Cumbria

Larch Cottage Nurseries is a plant nursery established in 1985 and presented on its website as one of the top plant nurseries in the UK. It describes itself as a grower of rare and unusual plants and shrubs, with more than 15,000 varieties listed. The site combines the nursery with display gardens, the Italian-inspired restaurant La Casa Verde and the Red Barn Gallery, making it a destination that extends beyond plant sales.

Plant range and mail order

The catalogue covers a broad selection of trees, shrubs and perennials. Among the plants highlighted on the home page are Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus', Anemone 'Giselle', Cotoneaster rothschildianus, Caryopteris 'Clandonensis Grand Bleu', several hellebores, Hydrangea 'Groundbreaker Greeny', Rhus 'Tiger Eyes', Hypericum 'Miracle Marvel' and Skimmia japonica 'Reevesiana'. The nursery notes that not all listed plants are on display at any one time and asks customers looking for a specific plant to email in advance to check whether it is in the nursery. Plants can be ordered for mail order or store collection through the online shop.

Peat-free growing and on-site substrate production

The nursery states that it is now fully peat free. It explains that it has worked with the company Stronga to develop a steam heat-treatment system that allows it to produce its own growing substrate blends. These blends combine pasteurised soil, steamed bark mulch and heat-treated spent materials accumulated over 40 years, customised according to the needs of each plant.

La Casa Verde restaurant

La Casa Verde is an Italian-inspired restaurant on the site, described on the website as offering al fresco dining all year round, with a balcony overlooking the gardens. The restaurant publishes its current menu online. Table bookings are handled directly by the restaurant by telephone before 11am or after 3pm during opening hours; the nursery asks customers not to use email for reservations because messages may not be picked up in time to confirm a booking.

Red Barn Gallery and exhibitions

The Red Barn Gallery is presented as one of the foremost galleries in the North West. It runs a programme of exhibitions with ceramicists, jewellers, printmakers, painters, glass artists, sculptors and textile artists. The site lists current exhibitors including Jack Doherty, Rachel Wood, Janet Halligan, MX Design, Andrew O'Dell, Richard Wilson, Karen Risby, Rob Barnes, Paul Bartlett, Adam Frew, Ronnie Fulton, Xuella Arnold, Debbie Barber, Frans Wesselman, Wendy Lawrence, Margaret Brampton, Nadine Labas, Alistair Brookes, Jane Marshall, MassArt Jewellery, Michelle Freemantle, Simon Shaw, Jennifer Hall, Kalliope, Roos Eisma, Terre Di Scirocco, Andy Cross, Carole Robinson, John Scott, Stuart Buchanan, Sam Cartman, Simon Griffiths, Christina Brampti, Jayne Williams, Hilke MacIntyre, BTU Studio, Murano Design, Paul Harvey, Peter Hayes, Adam Aaronson, Lido, Jennifer Pettigrew, Tim Andrews, Michael Michaud, Umlungu Art, Russell Kingston, Georgie Young, Lisa Hammond and Clare Melinsky. The gallery also maintains an archive of past exhibitions and a shop in the Lower Gallery.

RHS Partner Garden recognition

Larch Cottage was the regional winner for the North in the RHS Partner Garden of the Year 2025, following a nationwide public vote organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. The nursery had previously been the first winner of the same award in 2021. It presents the 2025 result as a way of rounding off its 40th year. The gardens have also been featured in Country Life and The English Garden magazines.

Events and anniversary

The events programme includes a Christmas Preview on Saturday 7th November from 11am to 3pm, with musical entertainment, festive treats and Christmas inspiration. The website also marks 40 years of Larch Cottage with a retrospective feature titled "looking back, growing forward".

Charity support

The nursery reports that it has raised over £19,000 to date for Eden Valley Hospice. It contributes £5 from the sale of each Eden Valley rose, available in store or online.

Visitor information

The nursery, the restaurant and the Red Barn Gallery are each open every day from 9am to 5pm. Dogs are not allowed on site. The nursery states a zero-tolerance policy towards rudeness or abusive behaviour towards its team. A visitor review quoted on the site notes that the additional garden area with ticketed entry opens only on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons.