{"title":"Behind the Scenes Tours","description":"\u003cp\u003eBehind the Scenes Tours are new for 2026 — and for the first time, we’re opening the working nursery to individual gardeners.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUntil now, tours have only ever been available to Gardening Clubs, Horticultural Societies, or as a rare add-on after one of Rosy’s talks. This year, that changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a genuine behind the scenes experience. You’ll be walking through the areas our retail customers never see — the propagation house, the polytunnels, the potting shed, and our stock area. Along the way, you’ll see the nursery as it really is: the potting machine in action, our propagation team at work, plants being gathered for shows and fairs, and mail order being packed and dispatched. It’s a working nursery, and on tour days, you’ll be right in the middle of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf Rob Hardy is taking your tour, you’re in for a treat — he loves talking to guests and knows the history of Hardy’s inside out. We can’t guarantee his availability, but when he’s there, it adds something special.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"behind-the-scenes-tour-10-september-2026","title":"Behind the scenes tour (booking code10.9.26)","description":"\u003cp\u003eUsually only offered to Gardening Clubs and Horticultural Societies, this is a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at Hardy's nursery. Your guide will take you through our propagation house, polytunnels and potting shed — and is happy to answer any questions about how we grow our peat-free herbaceous perennials along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs herbaceous perennials are seasonal, what you'll see will vary throughout the year — but in September we anticipate plenty of colour and variety on the nursery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease be aware before booking, this is a standing and walking tour of approximately 45 minutes to an hour\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54583204544854,"sku":"TOUR-10SE","price":7.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/H_P_in_the_Keder_House.webp?v=1788095531"},{"product_id":"behind-the-scenes-tour-17-september-2026","title":"Behind the scenes tour (booking code 17.9.26)","description":"\u003cp\u003eUsually only offered to Gardening Clubs and Horticultural Societies, this is a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at Hardy's nursery. Your guide will take you through our propagation house, polytunnels and potting shed — and is happy to answer any questions about how we grow our peat-free herbaceous perennials along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs herbaceous perennials are seasonal, what you'll see will vary throughout the year — but in September we anticipate plenty of colour and variety on the nursery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease be aware before booking, this is a standing and walking tour of approximately 45 minutes to an hour\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54583399874902,"sku":null,"price":7.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/H_P_in_the_Keder_House.webp?v=1788095531"},{"product_id":"behind-the-scenes-tour-17-september-2026-copy","title":"Behind the scenes tour 7 October 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003eTake a behind the scenes tour of our nursery on 7 October 2026.  From 10.30am - 11.30am\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsually only offered to Gardening Clubs and Horticultural Societies, this year we are offering individual gardeners the opportunity to visit and take a behind the scenes tour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tour includes a visit to our propagation house, where your guide will tell you more about how we propagate our peat free herbaceous perennials,  A walk through of our polytunnels and a look inside the potting shed.  Your guide is happy to answer any questions you may have about how we grow.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a rare opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of the nursery where Rosy Hardy continues to grow RHS Gold medal winning plants for her own floral displays and for other garden designers projects.  It's also where we grow all of the stock we sell to the general public and to trade customers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs herbaceous perennials are seasonal, the plant material that you'll see will vary throughout the year.  We anticipate a lot of colour and different cultivars and varieties at this time of year. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea, coffee and biscuits included in the price.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore booking, please consider the following:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe tour is a standing\/ walking tour of 45 minutes to an hour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeating is available but is limited.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe tour includes a step between tunnels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur paths are gravel and uneven, so it is essential to wear sturdy footwear. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManual wheelchair users may find this tour a challenge, whereas motorised wheelchairs should be ok, but they will take an alternative route to avoid the step.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease dress for the weather, layers of clothing and hats are always useful. The propagation and other tunnels can be hot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease bring a water bottle if it is a hot day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur potting shed is the summer home to returning swallows who will be flying around.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe will try and accommodate dietary needs e.g. gluten and dairy free but need to know 10 days in advance of the tour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe cannot guarantee an allergen free environment. If you have a food allergy please let us know and bring your own snack. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe have 3 toilets on site, 1 of which is adapted and fully accessible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tour is subject to a minimum of 6 people booking.  Should these numbers not be realised we will cancel the tour and refund the cost of tickets. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note we are not a Garden Centre and do not have a tearoom or lunch facilities on-site but can recommend some great spots for lunch or coffee which are local to us. Please ask us for more information by emailing:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"mailto:info@hardysplants.co.uk\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003einfo@hardysplants.co.uk\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you anticipate coming as part of a larger group and using a coach operator to travel, please get in touch before booking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54583499489622,"sku":null,"price":7.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/shop_october_2025_2.webp?v=1784285579"},{"product_id":"behind-the-scenes-tour-20-october-2026","title":"Behind the scenes tour 20 October 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003eTake a behind the scenes tour of our nursery on 20 October 2026.  From 10.30am - 11.30am\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsually only offered to Gardening Clubs and Horticultural Societies, this year we are offering individual gardeners the opportunity to visit and take a behind the scenes tour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tour includes a visit to our propagation house, where your guide will tell you more about how we propagate our peat free herbaceous perennials,  A walk through of our polytunnels and a look inside the potting shed.  Your guide is happy to answer any questions you may have about how we grow.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a rare opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of the nursery where Rosy Hardy continues to grow RHS Gold medal winning plants for her own floral displays and for other garden designers projects.  It's also where we grow all of the stock we sell to the general public and to trade customers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs herbaceous perennials are seasonal, the plant material that you'll see will vary throughout the year.  We anticipate a lot of colour and different cultivars and varieties at this time of year. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea, coffee and biscuits included in the price.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore booking, please consider the following:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe tour is a standing\/ walking tour of 45 minutes to an hour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeating is available but is limited.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe tour includes a step between tunnels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur paths are gravel and uneven, so it is essential to wear sturdy footwear. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManual wheelchair users may find this tour a challenge, whereas motorised wheelchairs should be ok, but they will take an alternative route to avoid the step.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease dress for the weather, layers of clothing and hats are always useful. The propagation and other tunnels can be hot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease bring a water bottle if it is a hot day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur potting shed is the summer home to returning swallows who will be flying around.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe will try and accommodate dietary needs e.g. gluten and dairy free but need to know 10 days in advance of the tour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe cannot guarantee an allergen free environment. If you have a food allergy please let us know and bring your own snack. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe have 3 toilets on site, 1 of which is adapted and fully accessible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tour is subject to a minimum of 6 people booking.  Should these numbers not be realised we will cancel the tour and refund the cost of tickets. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note we are not a Garden Centre and do not have a tearoom or lunch facilities on-site but can recommend some great spots for lunch or coffee which are local to us. Please ask us for more information by emailing:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"mailto:info@hardysplants.co.uk\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003einfo@hardysplants.co.uk\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you anticipate coming as part of a larger group and using a coach operator to travel, please get in touch before booking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54583581901142,"sku":null,"price":7.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/sales_area_october_2024.webp?v=1784287166"}],"url":"https:\/\/hardysplants.co.uk\/collections\/behind-the-scenes-tours.oembed","provider":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}