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Garden time
N Advertising feature
20 Years of Cultivating Green Excellence in the Heart of the South Hams
estled between Totnes and Dartmouth, Gardentime has been a thriving
sanctuary since its launch in 2003. What began as a modest garden shop has blossomed into a vibrant garden centre, cafe, and farm shop, firmly fixing itself as a cornerstone of the community. As Gardentime celebrates its 20th anniversary, we take a stroll down memory lane with the couple behind the business, Chris and Philly Varlow, reflecting on their journey from a pipe dream to a cherished family business. “It all sounds a bit like Darling Buds of May,” Chris Varlow chuckles, “but it all started when Philly and I met at her Dad’s garden centre up in Buckinghamshire.” He reminisces about those early days, fresh out of college, and how fate led him to Philly. With a wry smile, Chris adds, “I was 23, doing my dream job, with a beautiful girlfriend, I was a happy guy!” Originally from Penzance,
Cornwall, Chris honed his skills at Pershore College of Horticulture where he studied garden centre
management. His career started at Booker Garden Centre, eventually becoming manager, before taking a regional role with the nationwide garden centre group Country Gardens. By contrast, Philly, who was born into a farming family, was raised in East Portlemouth, just 30 minutes from Gardentime. She recalls her early years saying “I loved it here as a little girl and
“Gardening will always be at the core of our business. Our point of difference is our knowledge and access to the very best plants.”
there was always a part of me that hoped I would get to come back.” After college, Philly trained as a florist and worked for Claridges in London, eventually establishing her own floristry business, Forget-Me- Not, in 1988. After 10 years of trade, Philly’s father retired and she joined the management team at Booker and a few years on, Chris moved on to Country Gardens. By this time, plans to start their own business
had been brewing for a while and before long, they had found their dream site in the west country. “We both loved the site, space and a sea view - it was totally unique” Philly reflects. Although it was a significant financial leap, the couple felt confident there was potential. Their decision to live on- site allowed them to be close to the business. Chris remarks, “We’d both grown tired of big business and wanted to get back to our roots.” It’s clear that Chris and Philly have given their lives to Gardentime, but it’s been helped along by a dedicated team. “Our team is our family - some have been with us since the beginning,” Chris remarks. In 2016, they expanded with a
farm shop which stocks a curated selection of fresh produce and larder treasures sourced locally. Alongside this is The Glasshouse Cafe. “It’s a very relaxed space-we keep it simple and offer wholesome classics, cooked in-house,” Philly explains, emphasising their warm welcome to all, especially four- legged friends, who often find a friendly greeting from the couple’s
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