About Us
Our History:
The business was started by Claire Gardiner and Dave Ward, still working and growing plants today.
Claire and Dave started growing plants in the 1980’s originally at Pirongia under the name Kiwiflora Nursery. In 1990 we moved to our current Te Awamutu site and traded under the name Warehouse Garden Co. Some years ago we changed our name to Payless Plants – easier to remember – and better reflects our core mission.
Our two son’s Matthew and Evan also work in the business and we are optimistic they will continue and grow the business to reflect their own aspirations.
‘The person on the hill did not fall there.’
Meet the Team
Matthew
Trained in arborculture at Wintec, and is very skilled at plant propagation. A wizz with a chainsaw which comes in handy with our work.
Evan
Degree from Waikato Uni in Management Studies (economics and finance). Worked in transport industry for several years. Skilled in technical stuff and office stuff. Learning about our industry and how to grow plants.
Courtney
Originally worked in banking and later trained in landscaping with Southern Institute of Technology. Assists with plant production and customer services. Courtney also has her own business - CJ's Lawns and Gardens.
Claire
Dip. Horticulture with Distinction from Lincoln College years and years ago. Very skilled and experienced in plant propagation. In earlier years also worked in several nurseries, garden centres, floriculture, and amenity horticulture.
Dave
Dip. Parks and Recreation from Lincoln College years and years ago. Also studied economics at Waikato Uni. Has worked in National Parks and Reserves, local government parks and reserves. Head of the grounds dept at Tokanui Hospital 1980s.
Our Core Mission
To make available quality plants at prices that agrees with market requirements. Our prices are super competitive.
To do this we propagate and grow most of our own stock, though occasionally buy in some stock from other nurseries to supplement our range.
- Quality and Variety
- Super Competitive Pricing
- Expert Advice
- Experienced Team
International Plant Producers Society
New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated
The image on the right is the base image used to create the banner at the top of most pages within this web site.
The image was taken on a bush track south of Haast, South Westland, in the Mt Aspiring National Park, New Zealand.
The person in the image is Claire.
