Business is blooming: Northern Ireland garden centre sees 24% rise in Tesco NI Mother’s Day orders as 40-year partnership continues to grow
From “one man and a van” to a thriving four-site nursery, Dundonald Nurseries’ locally grown flowers and decades-long partnership with Tesco NI are delighting customers across Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland garden centre Dundonald Nurseries is reporting a 24% increase in Mother’s Day orders from Tesco NI this year, underlining rising demand for locally grown flowers and the strength of a relationship that has flourished for more than 40 years.
Every year, the Co. Down nursery supplies about 500 supermarket trolleys full of flowers for the special date. With 55 products available across seven price points, the collection includes colourful planted arrangements with flowers such as primroses and violas, all grown locally at one of the business’s four locations in Dundonald.
The uplift in orders follows strong feedback from Tesco customers across NI, where freshness and longevity continue to drive demand.
According to Sophie McCully, business development manager at Dundonald Nurseries, a key part of the business is that it manages every stage of the process in-house, without outsourcing, helping it maintain quality from planting through to delivery.
Sophie McCullly, business development manager said: “We pride ourselves on offering garden centre quality for supermarket prices.
"As the flowers for the arrangements are locally grown, they leave the nursery in perfect condition and are delivered by our drivers to all stores. Freshness is a huge selling point, and because we manage every stage ourselves, we’re able to guarantee that quality.”
Dundonald Nurseries’ relationship with Tesco stretches back decades, beginning in the days of Crazy Prices and Stewarts Supermarkets, which were later acquired by Tesco. Founded in 1963, the business has been supplying Tesco for at least 40 years.
What began as “one man and a van operation” has grown into a four-site nursery business in Dundonald, including an award-winning restaurant and gift shop, continuing to serve customers across Northern Ireland with plants throughout the year.
Nigel Doherty, produce buying manager at Tesco NI, explained: "We have a trusted supply base right across the Northern Ireland food industry. Not only is it important to support local jobs and the local economy, but we grow some of the highest-quality produce to be found anywhere, and sourcing locally ensures increased quality and freshness for our customers.
"Dundonald Nurseries have been a trusted supplier of plants for many years, and they continue to innovate and produce great quality plants and wonderful gift ideas, not just at Mother's Day, but across the year. Just like the plants, our relationship continues to grow and our customers love their products."
Sophie added: “It’s lovely to have such a well-established relationship with Tesco and to know that our plants reach so many people across the Province. Flowers have the power to make everyone happy – there is no wrong way to do it. They bring colour, happiness and a smile to people’s faces.”