Business Details
48 Years
experience
Award-Winning Garden Centre in Edinburgh
Established in 1978 by professional gardeners Dougal Philip and Lesley Watson, New Hopetoun Gardens has evolved from a small plant nursery into an award-winning garden centre near Edinburgh. As an employee-owned business since 2019, we combine over four decades of horticultural expertise with a commitment to quality, customer service, and community engagement. Our team of 37 staff members brings extensive knowledge of Scottish growing conditions, offering tailored advice on plants, shrubs, and garden design. We guarantee all hardy plants for two years and source 95% of our stock from UK growers, ensuring suitability for local climates. Our Living Wage Employer accreditation reflects our dedication to staff welfare and long-term investment in our team.Beyond gardening, we provide a unique visitor experience with our Orangery Tearoom, showcase gardens, and curated gift shop. We actively support wildlife conservation through cat rescue partnerships and promote sustainable practices, including peat-free composting. With ample parking and accessibility features, we cater to both seasoned gardeners and beginners seeking inspiration. Our reputation as one of Edinburgh's best-stocked garden centres is built on consistent innovation, seasonal expertise, and a passion for horticulture that remains central to our identity.
Services
Garden plants
Gift shop
Orangery tearoom
Showcase gardens
Gardening advice
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- 40+ years of specialist gardening expertise in Scottish conditions
- Employee-owned business prioritising staff and customer satisfaction
- Expert plant guarantees with two-year performance assurance
- Curated selection of 95% UK-grown plants for local climates
- Award-winning facilities combining horticulture with hospitality
Associations and certifications
- Living Wage Employer
What people say
Lovely staff
Well-stocked
Relaxing area
Great gift selection
Excellent plant quality
Services
Garden plants
We offer an extensive selection of UK-grown plants suited to Scottish climates, including rare varieties and seasonal bedding plants. Our guaranteed hardy plants come with expert aftercare advice and free informational leaflets. The nursery section features trees, shrubs, alpines, and vegetables sourced from local growers.
Gift shop
Our curated gift section features gardening tools, decorative ornaments, and unique homeware items. Seasonal Christmas displays showcase festive decorations and gift ideas. Speciality products include raised vegetable planters, bird feeding supplies, and luxury food gifts sourced from Scottish producers.
Orangery tearoom
The Orangery Tearoom serves freshly baked goods, homemade soups, and light lunches daily. Coffee is made using locally roasted beans, with speciality bacon rolls available from 10am. The terrace offers garden views across the River Forth, with indoor and outdoor seating options available.
Showcase gardens
Eighteen themed gardens demonstrate practical planting schemes for different environments. Features include alpine rockeries, shaded woodland areas, and productive potager layouts. Each display includes recommended planting lists and maintenance tips for recreating similar designs at home.
Gardening advice
Expert staff provide tailored advice on plant selection, garden design, and seasonal maintenance. We offer free leaflets covering topics like peat-free composting, winter protection, and wildlife-friendly gardening. The Plant Finder App helps customers locate specific plants within our extensive nursery stock.
People
Dougal Philip
Founder
Co-founder Dougal Philip established the business in 1978 after training as a landscape gardener. He continues to support the team as an RHS show garden judge and gardening expert, maintaining active involvement in the business he created.
Lesley Watson
Co-founder
Lesley Watson, co-founder and former BBC TV presenter, brings extensive horticultural expertise to New Hopetoun Gardens. She remains actively involved in the business while supporting the transition to employee ownership in 2019.
Questions
What facilities are available at New Hopetoun Gardens?
We offer a comprehensive garden centre with plants and supplies, themed showcase gardens, an Orangery Tearoom serving refreshments, and a gift shop with unique items.
Are pets allowed on the premises?
Dogs are not permitted inside due to resident rescue cats, but we provide a dedicated dog parking station near the entrance with fresh water available.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit/debit cards and cash payments for all purchases across our garden centre, gift shop, and tearoom facilities.
Do you offer plant guarantees?
All hardy plants come with our two-year performance guarantee, ensuring they thrive in Scottish growing conditions when cared for according to our advice.
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