8 minute read
A green legacy: The evolution of Southern Plants
By James Nicklen
Situated on an orderly and carefully managed 92-acre property in Dromana, Victoria, Southern Plants has blossomed over the decades into a thriving world-class horticultural enterprise with a rich history, an innovative present and a promising future. Mark Jackson is now at the helm of this journey and has a unique insight into the past, present and aspirations of the business that started as a family venture and has grown into an important legacy.
Tracing the roots: A family farm
The Jackson Family’s nursery background stretches back to the 1940s, when Ralph Jackson (Mark’s Grandfather) worked at Alsop’s Nursery in Camberwell. After returning from World War II in 1946, he and his wife Lorna leased an existing nursery site in Springvale.
“The business evolved from growing seedlings inground and lifting them to be sold wrapped in newspaper, then in wooden trays. Later, it was growing plants in jam tins before eventually growing in plastic pots,” recalls Mark, reminiscing about the early transformative stages the nursery underwent. It was during this period that the Jacksons laid the foundation for a culture of excellence and quality, focusing on providing the best plants for customers.
From its humble beginnings, the nursery shifted locations, moving from Springvale to Dingley in 1960, expanding its scope and offerings to also sell to the public on weekends. As the years passed, Ralph’s son, Bryan Jackson, took the reins and embraced the challenge of building upon his father’s legacy. The business moved to Springvale Road in 1978 and changed its name to Gardenworld. Soon after, Bryan recognised an opportunity, and Gardenworld became a fully-fledged garden centre with complementary tenant businesses and became an inaugural member of the Plants Plus co-op.
Working seven days a week and with his family living on site, the nursery was Bryan’s passion. His vison saw the business continuing to strengthen its offering and the opportunity for a standalone wholesale nursery to supply not only Gardenworld but the broader industry. This journey led to the establishment of Southern Advanced Plants next to Gardenworld, but within a few years it outgrew the site, leading to the purchase of the property in Dromana. Here, Bryan began growing advanced-sized plants, before the 1990 recession prompted them to shift to 6-inch and 8-inch pots. With that, the mentality adapted to focus on providing solutions rather than mere products, with a goal to maintain a steady supply of high-quality plants. Mark grew up on site at Gardenworld and regularly visited Southern Advanced Plants. He worked there while at high school and all through university where he completed degrees in business. After completing his studies, he travelled to the US to work at Ball Horticulture’s head office and met his soon-to-be wife, Pilar, also working in the US Horticulture industry. Pilar, having grown up at her Spanish family’s nursery and with her later experience working for a US plant label company, was a perfect partner to help develop Southern Plants into what it is today.
While Mark was overseas in 2007, he and Bryan made the decision to sell Gardenworld. Mark says, “that allowed us to completely focus on Southern Advanced Plants and putting all of our effort into it going forward.”
As Southern Advanced Plants flourished, Mark, Pilar and Bryan continued to travel, collecting knowledge of the world’s best practises and products from the most successful horticultural enterprises around the world.
Recognising trends across the world, Mark saw the need to adapt and evolve with changing times, and Southern Advanced Plants embraced the principles of lean manufacturing, streamlining processes and reducing waste, while continuing to always maximise customer value. They continued with the incorporation of technology, such as all-terrain forklifts and conveyors, which helped to virtually eliminate lifting and moving plants by hand. This marked a shift towards efficiency while maintaining the highest quality and improved the OH&S standards of the team. “We never reduce quality,” Mark says. “We’re always focused on the quality and adding value for the consumer.”
Today, Mark oversees the business’ operations, now known as Southern Plants, the name change in 2021 reflecting the wider product mix they now grow and helping to unify their established consumer branded ranges.
Innovations and sustainability
The emphasis on sustainability plays a crucial role in Southern Plants’ evolution, emerging as a cornerstone of the Southern Plants identity. To power their fleet of electric vehicles, the company recently invested in solar power, with the eventual aim of becoming completely energy self-sufficient. Mark emphasises, “We see sustainability as paramount,” and it's evident that every aspect of the business echoes this sentiment.
Plants at the Dromana site receive only natural sunlight and heat to ensure they are ‘hardened off’ and ready for retail. The property collects rain and irrigation water in dams and processes it to the highest standard in their recycled irrigation system. They use environmentally friendly specialist premium potting mixes of composted bark (no imported peatmoss) and slowrelease fertilisers.
Southern Plants prides itself on its environmental credentials. Their pots and labels are made from 100% recycled polypropylene (PP5). The pot and label can be recycled together through council-run curb side recycling and the closed-loop PP5 Collection Point recycling scheme at participating nurseries.
A unique approach
Southern Plants is unique for a very large wholesale nursery, choosing not to propagate their starter plants. Instead, they partner with only the best propagation specialist businesses, to ensure they have the highest quality starter plants, best new genetics and the ability to react quickly to consumer demands.
The Dromana site acquired in the late 1980s was strategically selected for its geographic benefits: its Mediterranean-like micro-climate close to Port Philip Bay, access to Class A recycled water and proximity to freeways for efficient logistics.
Southern Plants offers an extensive range of product lines tailored to suit home gardeners and landscapers. Each variety undergoes rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure it meets Southern Plants’ stringent quality standards. By prioritising hardiness, low maintenance qualities and aesthetic appeal, Southern Plants ensures that their plants thrive in Australia’s climate and look spectacular in the garden.
Ranges and relationships
The Jacksons’ foresight and commitment to innovation have paved the way for Southern Plants’ diverse and innovative product range. From “Mighty Tuff” plants selected for easy care and low water requirement, to the “Nature’s Nectar” range of Australian native flowering shrubs, each offering is designed to solve specific gardening challenges and needs. The “Home Harvest” range, focuses on edibles, highlighting their dedication to empowering home gardeners, while “Bloc It,” is a range tailored for fast-growing hedging and privacy solutions. Their “Small Spaces” range comprises of compact, colourful, elegant plants to beautifully make the most of confined areas where planting options are limited. Finally, plants in the “Shades of Colour” range are shade tolerant, colourful and low maintenance.
These ranges not only provided functional benefits but also established Southern Plants as a solutions-oriented company. “At any one point throughout the entire year, we’ve got over 120 different products available on our list,” Mark says.
Throughout its evolution, Southern Plants has nurtured more than just plants. The company has fostered lasting relationships with its dedicated staff, supply partners and customers. Key members of the team have been with the company for decades, embodying the spirit of family and loyalty that defines Southern Plants. Referring to his team, Mark says, “We’re very proud of our exceptional team and culture.”
Looking ahead: Cultivating a green legacy
Looking ahead, Southern Plants will continue with a focus on expansion and innovation. Plans for increased water holding capacity, alongside a self-sufficient electricity supply through solar energy and batteries, emphasise the company’s commitment to sustainability.
Mark and Pilar envision Southern Plants as a legacy, both for their family and for the environment. They draw parallels between the nurturing of plants and the nurturing of people.
“We want to create a legacy of re-greening the planet with a sustainable habitat for future generations,” Mark says.
“We believe we already have a legacy in our over 75 years of business,” he says. “And now, we’re planning for the next 75.”
