Bee Verdant began, quite literally, in the garden. Martin Haxton, Head Gardener at Mothecombe Gardens and proud winner of RHS Partner Garden of the Year 2025, has spent most of his life outdoors, usually with a trowel in one hand and a child asking, “Can I water it now?” in the other.

Martin, his wife, and their two children live on the estate, where the garden is as much a playground as it is a workplace. The children have grown up knowing the difference between a seedling and a weed, that pollinators are VIP guests, and that compost doesn’t magically appear (even if they still hope it might). They’ve been raised by the sea, the gardens, and parents who believe the best education starts with muddy boots.

Bee Verdant was the natural next step: a family-led nursery inspired by Martin’s love for plants and the children’s love for “helping” (which usually involves enthusiastic watering and bug hunting). Together, they propagate, pot-on, mix compost, and champion the kind of plants that make gardens feel alive, with bees, butterflies, and colour in abundance.

We grow our plants the slow, thoughtful way. Small batches, lots of care, and an unshakable belief that gardens are better when they’re buzzing. What we offer isn’t just a collection of plants, it’s a slice of Mothecombe life, shaped by coastal air, curious children, and a horticulturist who never stops experimenting.

If you leave our nursery with a tray of plants, a bit of inspiration, and maybe a bee following you home, then we’ve done our job..