The landscaping company was started in 1959 by Henry Shannon who saw the need for a company that provided good service and good standards of work. It was a hard life in those days as there were no machines to dig, load or move materials around as there are today.

The company, as others were, was extremely reliant on its workforce and Henry was fortunate to find the best. Not long over from Ireland he found that many of his own relations along with others were best suited to the work as they all had farming backgrounds and were used to the work. This paid off and many of the employees stayed with the company for twenty years or more. The work then and throughout the sixties, seventies & eighties was generated by the Greater London Council, the Inner London Education Authority and the various local councils throughout the London area.

The demise of the GLC and ILEA along with the cut backs in spending that affected all councils in the eighties meant that the same number of firms were chasing fewer and fewer contracts. Henry realized that this could not continue and looked for alternative business opportunities.

Henry had always wanted to have his own garden centre and in 1988 an opportunity arose to purchase some land in Forest Hill, London - very close to the companies existing offices. This seemed like a good time to diversify and the land was purchased. After purchasing the land, for which the companies existing offices had to be sold for finance, he set about building the garden centre.

As always Henry Shannon had his own ideas and ways of working. He would always, and still does, say that if you are going to do some thing then it is best done to the highest possible standards the first time. He used his own workforce along with the trusted sub contractors that had worked with him over the years and oversaw the whole project from start to finish. The results of which can be seen today - a good looking modern building which will stand the test of time.

The garden centre opened in 1989 and the first few years were a struggle as the whole country fought to get out of the recession that was with us then. But the perseverance, determination and hard work that had started the company originally showed again and business started to improve.

Today the centre is still growing, it has a good reputation and a good hard core of customers with new ones finding us each week. It has taken a few years but the centre now has a vast selection of goods from stock and with our able suppliers we we can obtain most items in stock within a couple of days.

At this present time the landscaping side of the company is on hold as we concentrate on the garden centre. But we are happy to reccomend some local gardeners who also provide a good service - please contact us for details.

The company is now run by all four of Henry's children - Bernard, Linda, Paul and Mary - who keep the tradition of the company going as Henry started it all those years ago.

And yes, Henry Shannon is still keeping an eye on us and is ever ready with advice when needed !