People
Our history
Founded in 1968, Palmstead Nurseries has grown to be a leading UK horticultural supplier, serving
landscapers, garden designers, and local authorities.
1968
The Palmstead story began with founder John Langman initially focusing on growing hardy ornamental plants.
Humble beginnings
The family-run business started in a relatively small way, with just 3 acres of land near Stelling Minnis, before later adding a further 8 acres and becoming one of the first UK nurseries to adopt container growing methods, building a reputation for quality plants and excellent customer service.1988
With growing success we needed to expand operations and after 20 years moved to a 123-acre former hop farm on the outskirts of Wye.
New horizons
John remembers ‘It seemed absurd at the time, but we had no choice - it was either 123-acres or we couldn’t have it – it has repaid us handsomely by doing it.’ Over the decades the business has grown significantly, evolving into one of the UK's leading suppliers of plants to the professional landscape and amenity sectors.1997
The new site was a success! With production heading towards one million container grown plants and 200,000 field-grown trees
Sustainable growth
Palmstead maintained a reputation for reinvesting sustainably by re-purposing a former B&Q warehouse to become a despatch building and offices, enabling streamlined operations.
2006
Palmstead launched the first of a series of annual Soft Landscape Workshops at the Ashford International Hotel’s Conference Centre.
Launch of soft landscape workshops
The series ran for fourteen years and as well as hundreds of attendees from across the horticultural sector attracted leading industry figures giving presentations on a wide variety of subjects.Which of the following industry talk topics would you be interested in attending in 2025/26?
2012
Palmstead were commissioned to contract grow more than 120 different species of plants for the London Olympic Games.
A role in the London Olympics
35 species would be grown commercially in the UK for the first time, following an extensive global sourcing exercise. Despite a challenging deadline the 70,000 plants were delivered on time and in accordance with the specification.
2018
Half a century on from John’s backbreaking beginnings with a wheelbarrow and a rotovator, Palmstead celebrated its 50th anniversary with a party for staff, customers and suppliers alike.
Celebrating 50 years of excellence
A huge marquee was set up in the field near our Young Plants Unit and following speeches and congratulations the attendees danced into the night accompanied by a live band.
2022
As Palmstead completed the construction of a third irrigation reservoir for the storage of harvested run-off andrainwater
Recognition for sustainability and innovation
We were the recipients of the inaugural HTA Grower of The Year Award for Inspirational Business in recognition of the advances and innovations made towards biodiversity, ecology and sustainability.
2025
With the launch of our new website and a commitment to propagate more stock in-house.