A NORTH Yorkshire horticultural nursery is celebrating one of the best ever periods in its 50 year history having supplied major new projects nationwide.

Johnsons of Whixley, based between York and Harrogate, recently reported its best ever financial year, while chairman John Richardson, who celebrated his 80th birthday last month, was named one of the inaugural recipients of a Rural Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award.

The firm’s wholesale commercial team has worked to ensure their recent momentum continues, with three significant new contract wins, worth a total of more than £300,000.

Johnsons of Whixley group managing director Graham Richardson, said: “Following an excellent performance during our last financial year, it’s pleasing that we have been able to maintain our momentum in recent months.

“There’s a real variety to the work we do in the commercial sector, and it’s always fantastic to see our products and services making a such a visible difference to beautiful settings throughout the country.”

Johnsons supplied plants totalling £13,000 to a new garden built in the grounds of Maggie’s Centre, in Oldham, which offers support for those with cancer, along with their family and friends.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of plants supplied by Johnsons of Whixley Wholesale Commercial to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire are now fully established, having bloomed during the summer.

A total of 38,000 plants were supplied to the Arboretum, on the edge of the National Forest in Staffordshire, which is home to more than 300 memorials commemorating fallen soldiers, members of the emergency services and civilian organisations.

The business has also been making inroads into the caravan and static home park industry.

As part of a contract worth in excess of £10,000, the business supplied hardy plants for all seasons to Easington Beach Holiday and Leisure Park and Sandy Beaches Holiday Park, which are both located in East Yorkshire.

Founded more than 50 years ago, Johnsons of Whixley is one of the largest commercial nursery businesses in Europe, and a supplier of plants and trees to the amenity sector in the UK.