Self-taught bonsai grower Clyne Taylor has big hopes for some very small trees at his newly opened garden centre in Scotter Common, Lincolnshire.
Clyne has spent 13 years teaching himself the ancient Japanese art of Bonsai. Now, with the help of a Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES) grant from Defra, obtained with help from Leading the Ornamental Challenge (LOC), he has been able to turn his part time passion into a full time business.
The Bucknell Farm Garden Centre opened on 20 March after three years of hard work by Clyne, his family and friends to clear the site, restore old greenhouses, build a new one and install an environmentally friendly water system.
As well as bonsai trees and other Japanese plants, the centre is selling general gardening items such as bedding plants, shrubs, garden tools and seeds.
Clyne says:
"I've been fascinated by bonsai trees ever since I bought my first one, an acer palmatum, back in 1989. Since then I have grown and nurtured more than 220 trees. Some I have grown from seed or sapling and others I have bought as mature trees in Holland.
"It began as a hobby, but my dream was to run a bonsai centre as a business, so we began to look at the possibilities. Thanks to the RES grant and help from LOC I've been able to turn my vision into a reality.
"Bonsai growing has really taken off in this country over the last decade and I'm hoping that the centre will attract people from across
Lincolnshire and further afield. We will be providing advice and
guidance for beginners and selling books and accessories along with other Japanese plants such as Acers and bamboo."
Whilst setting up the garden centre Cyne has worked hard to conserve the local wildlife - creating a wildlife pond and erected 15 nesting boxes for wildbirds. So far 52 different species of bird have been spotted at the centre including the Goldcrest (Britain's smallest bird), the Greater-Spotted Woodpecker and even some rare Nightjars during the summer months.
Rob Powell, Defra Rural Development Service adviser in the East Midlands, said:
"This is a great example of a Rural Enterprise Scheme. Clyne identified a potential business opportunity and has worked really hard to turn his dream into reality.. In opening this centre he is boosting the local economy, bringing back old buildings into use, improving the immediate landscape, and running an environmentally friendly irrigation system."
Lyndon Mason, from Leading the Ornamental Challenge, said:
"We're pleased to be able to have supported this innovative modern project which will benefit both the local community and the horticultural industry."
The garden centre is situated on the A159 at Scotter Common between Forestry Commission woodland and a National Trust conservation area.
