A West End Oasis

A ‘Happy When Surrounded by Plants’ Martin McCarron

There are many reasons why I LOVE the West End. But one of them has to be – we have a garden centre, in a historic cricket ground, tucked in behind tenements. How very West End.

It’s at the West of Scotland Cricket Club on Partick’s Peel Street, where, in 1872 the first ever Scotland v. England International football match took place. The score? Nil nil – modern parallels abound… It’s also home to the West End’s very own garden centre, opened two years ago by horticulturist Martin McCarron.

Martin is a plantsman, something that is very obvious as soon as you explain your current garden pest woe, or trouble with a particularly shady spot where nothing grows. The man lives and breathes hebes and dahlias, slug deterrants and compost. 

He’s dispensing advice on year round colour for an exposed border to a customer as we arrive, and after our shoot, is discussing plant pot diameters for lush planting arrangements. I wonder if there’s any question on horticulture he doesn’t get asked – or can’t answer!

Martin’s range for colourful autumn and winter planting is just in and the garden centre is packed with all shades of russets and deep greens to brighten the darker months ahead. There are planted pots of Japanese maples for statement pops of deepest red alongside stocky skimmias and lush green viburnums. 

And there are plenty of flowering plants to brighten our doorsteps too, with nodding hellebores, cute winter pansies, and bright pink scented cyclamen all making an appearance. Truly a feast for the senses.

With completion expected on the new shop space in early December, Martin will also be stocking bulbs and a wide variety of indoor plants alongside bird food and seeds to give nature a helping hand through the hard months ahead.   

There’s also been talk of a wee coffee machine and a few stools for a sit down and a blether – and since the man likes to talk I can well believe the rumours.

For the latest plant and pot news, follow the West End Garden Centre hereInstagram or Facebook

Or visit their website – westendgardencentre.com

West End Garden Centre, within the West of Scotland Cricket Club, 40-44 Peel Street G11 5LU

happy-woman-walking-on-beach-PL6FA7H.jpg

SanFair Newsletter

The latest on what’s moving world – delivered straight to your inbox