Ashbrook Nursery is a family run business on the outskirts of Arbroath. Starting as a wholesale nursery growing cut flowers and bedding plants for local shops and garden centres, we have been continuously developing over the years. Our retail outlet opened in 2003, The Café @ Ashbrook and gift shop welcomed its first customers in 2020, and in 2021, we held a ‘Tree Day’ charity event which coincided with the unveiling of our ‘Woodland Wander’. We have held a number of fundraising events for local charities, and we can also offer tours and classes to the likes of local community groups or touring parties.
In the garden centre, we are proud to offer a huge variety of seasonal bedding and patio plants, baskets and planters, alpines, grasses and herbaceous perennials, herbs, and vegetables. We grow the majority of these ourselves, in 'hard' conditions so that they are well prepared for life in a Scottish garden! Our famous posies are available throughout Summer and Autumn and are grown and bunched at Ashbrook. We also stock a good choice of trees, shrubs, roses, heathers and conifers. Our aim is to always offer a wide selection of varieties across the whole range of garden plants.
We have developed a reputation for producing quality filled baskets and planters using a wide range of planting material, and we can produce bespoke planters to suit any occasion or budget.
For Christmas we have a beautiful display of standing trees, so it is easy to choose your favourite. Also, our holly wreaths and table centres, made at Ashbrook using locally sourced foliage, can make a great gift, or can be used for Christmas displays or remembrance. We create many different styles, so there is sure to be something to suit you.
Our garden centre staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, so please do not hesitate to ask for some gardening advice when you are in the shop!
In 2020, we opened The Café @ Ashbrook where we serve delicious home cooking and baking. Our lunchtime platters are ever popular, while our scones and Victoria sponge are particular favourites from the cake stand! The café is accessed via the garden centre and there is indoor and outdoor seating available looking onto our garden centre displays and across the countryside. Customers are welcome to sit in or take away.
In the café, you will also find our gift shop which has a great selection of unique items made by local artists and crafters. Offering jewellery, glassware, cards, woodwork, pottery, knitwear, and more, you will be sure to find something just ‘a little bit different’.
Our ‘Woodland Wander’ is located adjacent to our café and is a great place to explore. We have created a Stumpery and a Shade Border to demonstrate what plants do well with limited sunlight. We have also planted lots of Spring bulbs, and there are various fungi to look out for. There is a stone circle, a Bug Hotel, and 12 Fairy Doors hidden amongst the trees, as well as the mysterious Ashbrook Stakes to look out for!
Our garden centre, outdoor café area and woodland wander are dog friendly, provided they are kept on a lead. Inside the café, only assistance dogs are permitted.
Car parking is available on site, and we also have a bicycle rack. There is a footpath from Arbroath to the nursery entrance, and buses will also stop at the nursery if asked, but be careful if crossing the road! If you are unable to take your shopping home with you, we do offer a delivery service – our charge varies depending on locality. Customer toilets are located in the café.