A reflection on a year of growth, challenge and connection at Fibrex Nurseries.
As the 2025 growing season begins to wind down, we’re finally finding a quiet moment to look back and reflect on what has been an unforgettable year at Fibrex Nurseries.
Running a small, independent nursery is never short of challenges, but it’s also full of deep satisfaction, beauty, and a sense of belonging that’s hard to put into words. This year has brought us all of that and more. And at the centre of everything, as always, is you - our community of growers, gardeners, customers, collaborators, and friends.
The greenhouses are already beginning to fill again, this time with fresh cuttings, young plants, and early preparations for 2026. While much of the outside world slows down, inside the nursery we’re already thinking ahead, with trays of promise lining the benches and signs of next year’s growth beginning to emerge. It's the constant cycle of the nursery, always rooted in the present, but quietly planning for what’s to come.
This year, we were lucky to be part of some truly inspiring projects. One of the highlights was our collaboration with the team at Alitex Glasshouses for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We supplied a carefully chosen selection of Pelargoniums that helped bring their glasshouse display to life. Seeing our plants take centre stage in such a beautiful and well-crafted space was a proud moment, not just for us, but for the generations of Fibrex growers who’ve nurtured and preserved our collection.
We were also delighted to work on projects with Burford Garden Company, Daylesford, and Chelsea Physic Garden, all unique and thoughtful spaces where plants are treated with care and reverence. Whether it was contributing to curated displays, sharing knowledge, or helping to tell the story of Pelargoniums in new and engaging ways, these collaborations reminded us that our plants are part of something much bigger. They connect people to place, memory, and history. And when we partner with like-minded organisations, that message carries even further.
Another very special moment this year was hosting our first ever Fibrex Workshop at the stunning Ham Court in Oxfordshire. It was something we’d been dreaming of for a long time, a day dedicated not just to plants, but to connection, learning, and slowing down. We welcomed a small, enthusiastic group into the world of Pelargoniums, and by the end of the day, it felt like a gathering of old friends. There was cake, conversation, hands-on planting, and a lot of laughter, and we truly believe we made some friendships that will last a lifetime.
And of course, our Open Days continue to be a real highlight of the year. Inviting people into the working nursery, to see the reality behind the glossy catalogues and perfect blooms, is something we love. With over 1,500 Pelargonium varieties in our collection, there’s always something unexpected to discover. Visitors often tell us how surprised they are by the scent, diversity, and sheer personality of these plants, and that moment of rediscovery never gets old for us.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Like many small, specialist nurseries, 2025 has brought its fair share of challenges. The growing season tested us, with weather extremes, higher operating costs, logistical complications, and the ongoing pressure of sustaining a traditional nursery model in a rapidly changing world. We lost a few crops to the unexpected heat spikes in spring, had to adjust our schedules more than once, and felt, at times, like we were chasing our own shadows.
We’ve also watched, with sadness, as more and more small nurseries have closed their gates. It’s a difficult time for independent horticulture, and each closure feels like the loss of a little piece of the wider gardening world, a wealth of knowledge, experience, and care that’s hard to replace.
But we’re still here, still growing, still adapting, and still utterly committed to what we do. And we know that’s only possible because of the support we receive from you. Whether you placed an order, visited us in person, attended a workshop, or simply shared a kind word, you helped us through. Every single gesture makes a difference.
As we close the chapter on 2025, we do so with immense gratitude and more than a few lessons under our belts. We’re tired, yes, but hopeful, and already excited about what next year will bring. New varieties, more learning opportunities, fresh collaborations, and more of what makes Fibrex, Fibrex.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our journey this year. Thank you for choosing small, for valuing the craft, and for helping us keep this legacy alive. We’ll keep doing our best to grow beautiful, healthy, characterful plants, and to share them with a community that understands why that matters.
With love and thanks,
Ed & Laura
Fibrex Nurseries