About Wykeham Mature Plants

The ‘roots’ of our specialist mature tree nursery were planted in 1975 here in North Yorkshire.

We provide mature trees, hedges and shrubs to private home owners, garden designers, country estates, building developers and landscape contractors across the North of England and beyond. Our customers can take advantage of our experts’ tips and advice.

The ideal location

We form part of the 400-year old Dawnay Estates at Wykeham, eight miles inland from Scarborough. Our nursery has more than 150 acres of field-grown tree and shrub stocks as well as container-grown plants.

To achieve first-class hardy mature trees, shrubs and hedging plants, we grow our plants steadily over many years.

How Jack Frost helps us

Most of our nursery is on gently south-facing slopes, allowing our plants to lap up the sunshine. But in the winter, we lie in a frost pocket. This longer season of frost makes our plants stronger and hardier than those grown on more protected sites.

Nestled in Yorkshire history

Our specialist mature tree nursery is centred on the beautiful Walled Garden, surrounded by Grade II listed walls. They used to contain the kitchen garden for the privately-owned stately home of Wykeham Abbey.

The 18th century converted Bothy within these walls houses our offices. Backed by the restored Victorian vinehouse, we are surrounded by approximately six acres of nursery which customers can stroll around.

A growing timeline

1975 – the late Lord Downe sets up ‘Wykeham Trees’ in around 50 acres next to Wykeham Abbey’s Walled Garden. Initially trees were sold by the hundred to local authority amenity departments.

Mid 1980s – sales rapidly expand with trees being supplied to other UK nurseries, landscape architects, commercial developers and private customers.

Over time sales increase in the commercial sector. We add container grown trees which can be planted all year round.

1990s – an increase in larger trees (semi-mature), more diversification in stock and the trialling of our instant shrubs and hedging.

Early 2000s – extreme weather conditions mean we decide to specialise in containerised plants.

April 2003 – ‘Wykeham Mature Plants’ is launched as a direct sales mature tree nursery supplying all market sectors with mature trees, shrubs and hedging.

2018 – The Dawnay Estates, including Wykeham Mature Plants, is awarded The Royal Agricultural Society of England’s prestigious Bledisloe Gold Medal. This recognises outstanding achievement in the successful land management and development of an English agricultural estate.

2019 – we open an e-commerce online shop for Instant hedging, Screening plants, Mature trees and shrubs.

2023 – Wykeham Mature Plants achieves Plant Healthy accreditation for growing, trading and managing plants to high standards of plant health and biodiversity.

How we can help you

From Manchester to Hull, Nottingham to Newcastle, our plants adorn some stunning horticultural projects!

Get in touch if you need:

• quality mature trees, hedges and shrubs
• Advisory and/or design service – site visits are available.
• Planting services for Wykeham Mature Plants stock.

Contact or visit us

You are welcome to come for a no-obligation browse during opening hours. However, if you require one-to-one attention and advice from our knowledgeable team, please book an appointment in advance. It’s a large nursery, and the perfect consultant could be some way off tending to our plants.

Get in touch through enquiries@wykeham.co.uk or on 01723 862 406.

Opening hours

9.30am – 4pm Monday – Friday apart from bank holidays

Contract growing

Would you like to contract us to grow specific plants for special events or a certain date?

We have more than 100 acres of nursery field and container nursery. This allows us to provide you with exactly the right quantity and quality of trees and shrubs, precisely when you want them. Just get in touch.

Work for us

Please check back here for career opportunities with us.

In the news

• National honour for Dawnay Estates – York Press
• Mature planting brings instant returns – Caravan Industry and Park Operator
• New rooftop spa garden at Rudding Park Hotel – Hull Daily Mail

Rooted in our local community

We are proud to support our local community here in North Yorkshire. We contribute planting and donations to our local school, church and playing field associations.

Gardeners’ question time

If you would like to request a nursery tour for your group, or for one of our staff to speak at an event, please contact us. The talk may be able to take place either here on the nursery or they can travel to your preferred venue.

We also periodically host special events, usually for charity, here in The Walled Garden. Please sign up for our newsletter to be kept up-to-date.