Story – J. Parker‘s:

They’re glad you stopped by and hope you learn a lot and have fun exploring their gardening site.

In 1933, Martin Parker left his small village of Beverwijk, Holland, to fly to England and launch a mail-order bulb business. He was prepared to establish a new business in England after three generations of his family had been involved in the bulb growing and exporting industry in Holland.

J. Parker‘s began life in obscurity. The wholesale operation was founded in a modest Manchester terrace house on Chester Road. Martin and his wife, Joan, ran this operation out of their garden shed where they packaged the goods. From the late ’30s to the end of World War II, they ran a small business out of their home.

the heyday of 1950s gardening The company expanded gradually, and by the ’50s, Martin’s son Christopher had joined the family enterprise. The family decided to grow the business in response to a brief gardening boom in the ’50s. They decided to plant bulbs, so they bought some farmland in Anwick, Lincolnshire. The corporation enjoyed phenomenal growth throughout the 1950s. Manchester became the headquarters for the company’s retail operation at roughly the same time as Anwick, Lincolnshire took over wholesale.

The first nationwide postal strike in Britain took place that year, 1971. After 7 weeks, Parker’s had lost almost $1 million (in constant currency) on unshipped catalogues due to the strike. As a result of the strike’s negative impact on business, the family had to liquidate assets such as farmland in Anwick and their customer mailing list to keep the company going.

Chris Parker, Martin’s son, took over the family firm in the early 1970s and expanded into wholesale shortly thereafter. Even though it was contentious at the time, the horticultural sector benefited greatly from reader offerings that featured discounts and pricing comparisons from competitors. In the 1970s, the humble store catalogue expanded to become a comprehensive shopping resource.

In the early 1980s, the company began experiencing rapid growth, prompting the relocation of its headquarters to larger rooms on Hadfield Street in Manchester. The company reorganized, with wholesale shipments now leaving from Anwick and retail shipments now leaving from the Manchester warehouse. Even in his latter years, Martin was able to keep busy by helping out at the Anwick warehouse. This gave him the opportunity to continue meeting with clients at the Anwick garden center, a place he greatly enjoyed.

Paul and Daniel, Chris’s kids, started helping out in the family business during school breaks when they were in their early teens. Paul joined the company in 1998 after completing his undergraduate degree in business studies. After several years of dedicated service, he was promoted to the position of director. Soon after, Daniel took over management of the garden center in Flixton.

Before joining the family business, Daniel attended college and majored in both fine art and landscape architecture. After finishing college, he went into garden design, working with the Royal Horticultural Society, the National Health Service, and even Gary Nevill. The final show garden he created in the 2000s won best in show and a Gold Award at the RHS Tatton Garden Show. The foundation for what is currently their website was laid in the early 2000s. The website completely transformed their order processes, allowing them to expand at a rate never before possible. Paul joined J. Parker‘s in 2016 as Managing Director and was promoted to CEO in 2018. Chris Sr. continues to serve as Chairman of the Board and is actively involved in the expanding wholesale division.

They expanded the retail space at their Flixton Garden Centre and added a cafe and restaurant in 2010. In the early spring of 2011, a brand-new and vastly upgraded Garden Centre opened its doors to the public. Construction on a new 25,000 square foot warehouse and updated garden center was scheduled to begin in 2015 and continue through 2016. The new garden center provides a variety of benefits to its clients, including larger parking lots, a new café, and expansive windows.

An additional 60,000 square feet were added to the Anwick factory in 2017, and a nursery was built to accommodate the relocation of their Retail despatch from Manchester. Midway through 2019, work began at the Anwick location, and by the end of that year, a massive, high-tech despatch facility had been built. Because of this, they can quickly and easily deliver nursery-fresh plants and bulbs to their customers’ front doors.

J. Parker‘s has a promising future because they were able to meet their 5-year growth objective in just 12 months in 2021. CEO Paul Parker is looking forward to continuing the company’s organic growth  with family at the helm  as they continue to produce innovative and excellent products at competitive rates, assisted by market-leading customer service.

Plum Trees

J. Parkers is renowned for its offerings of beautiful and healthy plum trees. Plum trees are a great choice for those who want to add a touch of elegance to their garden or orchard. These trees are highly versatile and can be grown in a variety of climates. They are also known for their luscious fruit, which can be enjoyed both cooked and raw. With careful care and attention, a J. Parkers plum tree can provide you with fruit for years to come. Whether you are an experienced gardener or just starting out, a plum tree is a wonderful addition to any landscape.

Apple Trees

Apple trees have been a staple in countless gardens and orchards throughout the world for centuries. At J. Parkers, they understand the appeal and importance of this beloved fruit tree, offering a range of high-quality apple trees suitable for every level of gardener. Their selection includes traditional varieties such as Cox’s Orange Pippin and Braeburn, as well as more contemporary options like Jazz and Pink Lady. Whether you’re looking to plant a single tree or several to create an apple orchard, J. Parkers has the expertise and resources to help you grow the perfect apple tree for your needs.

Cherry Trees

J. Parkers is a renowned name in cherry tree cultivation. The company has been growing and selling beautiful cherry trees for many years, making it the go-to place for gardening enthusiasts who want to add elegance and beauty to their landscapes. Cherry trees are popular for their delicate pink and white blossoms in the springtime and their sweet fruit in the summer. They grow to be medium to large-sized trees with a long lifespan, making them a great investment for any garden. Whether you’re looking for a tree to enhance the beauty of your backyard or a unique holiday gift for someone special, J. Parkers won’t disappoint.

Pear Trees

J. Parkers is a well-known name in the gardening industry, particularly when it comes to pear trees. Their range of high-quality pear trees have been carefully selected and nurtured to ensure that they are disease-resistant and produce delicious and juicy fruit. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, J. Parkers‘ pear trees are easy to care for and will thrive in a variety of conditions. From the classic Conference pear to the more unusual Williams Bon Chretien, their selection of pear trees offers something for everyone. So if you’re considering adding a fruit tree to your garden, consider J. Parkers‘ pear trees for a reliable and tasty addition.

Check out J. Parker‘s for a wide selection of fruit trees

J. Parker‘s is a trusted source for those seeking to add a fruitful addition to their garden or backyard. With an incredible selection of fruit trees, from sweet cherry to zesty lemon, they have something for everyone’s taste. Their team of experts provides top-notch advice on the care and maintenance of trees to ensure healthy growth and bountiful yields. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, J. Parker‘s offers an exceptional service to help you slide into the world of fruit tree growing. Visit their website today to have a taste of their diverse fruit tree collection.