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Our family business is known nationally for its glorious camellias, but here at Trehanes we also grow other ericaceous plants – including 3 acres of P.Y.O blueberries.
Most of our staff are true locals and many have family members that have worked with us over the years. Whilst some staff specialise in either camellia or blueberry cultivation, all are dedicated to growing quality plants, and all enjoy the beautiful environment in which we are lucky enough to work.
Jeremy Trehane
Favourite camellia – C. transnokoensis
“with its small leaf and delicate flower this is totally unique”
Favourite blueberry - ‘Coville’
“a beautifully balanced flavour – not too sweet, not too acid and a lovely perfumed taste”
For Jeremy the highpoint of his life at Trehanes is working and living with the seasons. From winter pruning to summer’s fruition, growing strong plants and swollen fruit keeps him centred, in contact with ‘the real world’.
His main love, second only to Sandra, is the blueberry crop. He comes alive for its short season and takes great pleasure in meeting the thousands of people who visit the nursery, however briefly, to enjoy Trehane’s highly successful pick-your-own.
Sandra Trehane
Favourite camellia – ‘Spring Mist’
“but I love all the small flowered camellias”
Favourite blueberry - ‘Herbert’
“it is truly luscious”
The queen of the blueberry packhouse each summer, Sandra is also Trehane’s official record keeper, chief assistant at the RHS shows, and general purpose weeder!
Sandra dreams of a perfect season when nature finally relents and both growing and picking can go according to plan.
“I adore the buzz when the fruit is good, the PYO thriving and the sun is shining. It is hard work in the packhouse, making sure all the fruit is ready for despatch to the supermarkets, but the sense of achievement at the end of each day is tremendous!”
Lorraine Keets - Nursery Manager
Favourite camellia – ‘Debbie’
“because it flowers its head off!”
Lorraine has worked at Trehanes for over 26 years! Her father worked for Jeremy so it was natural for her to earn her pocket money fruit picking and that soon became a full-time job.
Over the years Lorraine has genuinely ‘done it all’ at the nursery. Now, as Nursery Manager she is not only the fount of knowledge on all things camellia, but she also understands every part of the growing process.
“While scented camellias will always be popular, for me the attraction is much more than just the flower. “Nothing can beat the look of a nice bushy camellia in the garden.”
Jeanette Teuber
Favourite camellia – ‘Bokuhan’
“it’s a bit different I know, and hard to cultivate, but I just love the white centres on its single red flowers”
Jeanette can usually be found in the sales area or propagating the camellias. A part of Trehanes for over 20 years, she loves the peace she finds at the nursery, working with nature on a daily basis.
Jeanette must have horticulture in her blood. Her grandfather was a gardener, her father worked before her at Trehanes, and her brother is a gardener at Brownsea Castle!
Simon Greenfield
Favourite camellia – ‘Takanini’
“not only are the petals a fantastic colour and texture, it just seems to go on flowering forever”
In Trehane terms Simon is still the new boy having joined as a temporary worker in 2003 before becoming a permanent member of staff. A research chemist in another life, he made a complete career change to move into horticulture but has not totally left the chemicals behind as he is now responsible for the pesticide application.
Apart from looking after anything ‘technical’, Simon enjoys the wide variety in his work, from packing plants for dispatch to clearing ditches or driving the tractor.
Robbie Robin
Favourite Camellia - “ any one that’s got a worm under it”
The newest member of the team, Robbie only joined this spring but has quickly become one of the family. Always keen to join in with whatever anyone else is doing, but is often to be found in the Sales House where his cheerful song and friendly personality makes him a favourite with the customers. Robbie also likes to visit the packing shed to oversee dispatch of the mail order plants - if you’re lucky you might find he has left his own personal message in the box along with your plant!
