March 5, 2025

So, who are Norfolk Herbs?

Introducing our new blog page, we thought we ought to start by actually introducing ourselves to those who don’t already know us and to impart just a little bit extra to those who already do! Later throughout this year, we hope to give you various insights and snippets of topical subjects, something a little bit different by way of recipes, herb uses and the odd dollop of nursery life.

Norfolk Herbs began life in 1986 at a beautiful old farm in mid-Norfolk and was set up as a small retail and wholesale nursery by husband-and-wife team, Brian and Rosie following a mid- career change. Brian had both an agricultural and horticultural background and Rosie had been passionate and knowledgeable about plants and the natural environment since a very early age. Starting a new business is always a struggle. Herbs, believe it or not, were not really in vogue at the time and, of course, their first full year saw the 1987 hurricane which carried out interesting alterations to the appearance of the tunnels and greenhouses! But they persevered and very soon gained a fantastic reputation in the trade for their quality plants, service and meticulous attention to detail. They often look back at what they consider to be one of the happiest times of their lives. Lots of very hard work but surrounded by nature, their animals, good friends and their two young children. Eldest son eventually took a very worthwhile but different direction in life but youngest son, Oliver, was completely won over from the very start. Here he is, about 40 years ago- bless his cotton socks!

Following a brief spell away gaining a degree in Environmental Sciences, Oliver was back and now runs the nursery with our Nursery Manager, Michelle who is also his wife. So another husband and wife team to carry Norfolk Herbs forward. The ‘oldies’ still enjoy pottering about with Rosie continuing to keep a beady eye on quality control!

What do Norfolk Herbs do?

Initially, Norfolk Herbs were mainly a wholesale nursery supplying potted herb plants to garden centres, shops, landscapers etc. Their reputation for quality soon became known across the country and very soon they found themselves supplying and fulfilling landscape contracts for many familiar venues such as National Trust and English Heritage gardens, the Royal Palaces and Kew Gardens. They particularly enjoyed worthwhile collaborations with The Wildlife Trusts, biodiversity projects and inner-city community garden schemes in addition to helping with educational gardens for schools and sensory gardens for care homes etc.

Some projects were great fun such as helping a London architect with a huge living wall or supplying a well-known chef with culinary herbs for a kitchen garden on a grand scale. And, of course, they were quite excited (as anyone would be) when the odd famous face turned up! Then came the internet (that first received and answered email seems only a second ago!) and, for the first time, the nursery had instant contact with you, the retail customer and individual gardener. What a wonderful revelation! Soon after, a mail order branch of the business was set up so they could share their passion for herbs directly with you and they have now, after much thought, almost ceased their wholesale undertakings to concentrate on providing their extensive range of naturally raised, culinary, medicinal and aromatic herb plants, Scented Pelargoniums and ornamental Salvias directly to your door.

Where are Norfolk Herbs situated?

Early in 1992, Norfolk Herbs moved the whole nursery, lock, stock and barrel to their present, eleven acre site within the mid-Norfolk countryside in a small hamlet called Dillington. Although only a few miles away from their original home, it gave them the opportunity to enjoy more space (something one always runs out of!). And once again, the hard work began because, actually, all they had bought was one, large field of linseed stubble!

No buildings, no water, no electricity and no telephone! And, of course, they had to keep the continuity of the business going throughout the chaos! But they had no regrets because it was such a beautiful place to be. The nursery is bordered by the Wendling Beck, a rare chalk stream on one side, a SSSI wet woodland on the northern boundary and grazing meadows to the east and south.

It is a nature lovers paradise but still within easy reach of the charming village of Gressenhall and its lovely community pub, The White Swan and also the town of Dereham and the main A47. A map of how to find them is on their website. Norfolk Herbs welcomes visitors and are open Wednesday – Saturday 10am-4pm from April through to the end of October. Just give them a call if you wish to visit at other times. A dedicated area on the nursery is prepared solely for you to browse a vast selection of plant varieties or to merely sit amongst the herbs enjoying a freshly brewed coffee!

You will also find a friendly face to welcome you and lots of expert help and advice to guide you in your choices. If you are planning a holiday in the area, you may like to know that Norfolk Herbs is now surrounded by a 2,000 acre nature restoration project which links two Norfolk Wildlife Trust Reserves and long distance walking trails. Nearby, you can discover Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, a Rural Life Museum with much to offer to visitors and plenty of historic sites of interest are within easy reach. Norfolk Herbs is also a mere thirty-five minute drive to all the delights of the stunning North Norfolk coastline, about the same to Thetford Forest and the Brecks and no more than half an hour to the wonderful city of Norwich. And to satisfy your interest in plants, Norfolk boasts several specialist nurseries and many glorious gardens to visit such as East Ruston Old Vicarage as featured on Gardener’s World or Houghton Hall which was recently showcased on Monty Don’s British Gardens. See you soon!

Why buy from Norfolk Herbs?

A senior partner writes:-

Quality with a personal service! This is what we set out to achieve in 1986 and it still holds true today. Now, of course, we can also offer you nearly 40 years of experience in growing and using herbs. We cannot pretend to know everything- that would take far more than one lifetime! But we always help and give advice wherever we can and this is why we so enjoy our interaction with you, the gardener and customer. By chatting and discussing together, we can all learn something different every day! If you visit the nursery, you will always find one of the owners on hand to say hello and answer your questions. If you telephone you will not be met with an automated switchboard but will immediately talk to a helpful human! (On very rare occasions we may have an answerphone switched on but please leave your number and we will always return your call.) If you email, please bear with us. We don’t employ ‘office staff’ and prefer to answer your queries ourselves personally which can often be in the evening. Our standard, extensive range of plants are grown in a larger than average 10cm pot size as opposed to the more commonly found 8 or 9cm size. This allows for plenty of healthy root growth. We also supply many varieties in 2 litre pots for that instant effect in the garden! Our plants are carefully nurtured by hand from cuttings, seed or root division and potted into peat-free compost to gently establish at their own pace as nature intended. Our plants are naturally grown and we do not use artificial light or excessive heat because we believe that, without these, our plants will be stronger, healthier and ready for natural, seasonal planting. And because we love wildlife and nature we flatly refuse to use undesirable chemical sprays. If you purchase online you can be assured that your chosen plants will be individually collected up from the nursery, carefully checked and beautifully and securely packed into our bespoke boxes.

Best of all, I think you will find that our pricing is quite good too!

So we hope you enjoyed reading about us and can now be confident in purchasing from Norfolk Herbs online shop!

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