Situated beside the entrance of the Grade II listed gardens at the Poole attraction, the Compton Acres Plant Centre is under the management of leading horticultural design duo, Costello and Gee Garden Projects.

 
Having met whilst studying at Pershore College in the Cotswolds in 1999, Lucinda Costello and Robert Gee developed their passion for exceptional garden design under lecturer Chris Beardshaw, now the BBC’s flying Gardener.

Horticultural writer Lucinda, who has worked on many RHS Gold medal-winning show gardens, says:

“We’re very excited to have this opportunity to bring our enthusiasm for plants and gardening to Compton Acres. We’ve already had so many lovely comments, I think the fact that it’s such an intimate site is very attractive to visitors – I can say hello to everyone and I’m always on hand to give advice. We’ve got lots of plans for the future including workshops, special events and a children’s gardening club. The developments and improvements in the gardens over recent years have been simply wonderful to witness. Compton Acres is firmly back on the map of must-visit gardens.”

As well as providing visitors with the chance to purchase rare and unusual plants encountered in the attraction’s 10 acre landscape, the new retail area will offer seasonal bedding plants, hanging baskets, specimen plants, sundries and a full design and build service.

Compton Acres owner, Bernard Merna, adds:

“With their outstanding professional expertise and unending enthusiasm we’re delighted to welcome Lucinda and Rob to Compton Acres. The new plant centre provides a vital link between these gardens and those of our visitors. Advice will be available from friendly and approachable experts dedicated to delivering the highest levels of customer service which we hope will enable gardening enthusiasts to get the very best out of their own outdoor spaces.”

Lucinda Costello and Robert Gee celebrate the opening of the new plant centre at Compton Acres
with a ceremonial cutting of a flower chain ribbon.

For more information visit www.comptonacres.co.uk or call 01202 700778.

Life Education Wessex is celebrating a blooming new partnership as it becomes Compton Acres official charity of the year.

As well as receiving coins dropped into the depths of a 100 year old Venetian wishing well at the Dorset garden attraction, the charity will be given exclusive use of the prestigious Italian Villa for a number of high profile fundraising events.

Using high tech mobile classrooms, fun-filled programmes and specially trained educators, Life Education Wessex works with over 200 schools and 42,000 children across Dorset every year. They are the only organisation that supports schools in meeting national curriculum and government guidelines for health and drug education.

At an official presentation ceremony at the Grade II listed attraction, the charity’s official mascot, Harold the Giraffe, helped Lorraine Hewitt, Corporate Development Fundraiser for Life Education Wessex, accept a commemorative plaque. Lorraine Hewitt said:

“Children today are facing ever-increasing pressures and temptations to damage their health and futures, our programs aim to equip children with the knowledge, skills and self confidence to make informed healthy decisions for themselves. We are delighted that Compton Acres has chosen Life Education Wessex as its charity of the year. This support will make a real difference to the Children of Dorset, helping us to ensure that they remain happy and healthy.”

For more information about Compton Acres visit www.comptonacres.co.uk or call 01202 700778.

Harold the giraffe, Life Education’s mascot, assists in the handover, with the help of Lorraine Hewitt from the charity and Laura Hart from Compton Acres