Everything’s coming up roses for a talented young Lanarkshire horticulturalist this Christmas, as the roots of his thriving business take hold in one of Scotland’s most fashionable shopping districts.
Jordan Trainer was only 15 years old when he sowed the seeds of his enterprise, which initially specialised in houseplants and planters.
What began as a teenage hobby turned into a business for ambitious Jordan when he set up online company Green Growers in 2015, selling quirky gifts and house plants in rustic and decorative pots, many of which he made himself.
Now, Jordan is branching out by introducing to Partick in Glasgow’s trendy West End a mini market in which he sells not only his beautiful plants in eye-catching ceramic pots, but also the creative work of no fewer than 50 talented artisan traders.
As well as selling his plants, succulents and cacti in decorative handmade planters, green-fingered Jordan – who honed his skills by studying horticulture for two years at Glasgow Clyde College – is showcasing the work of designers from all over the west of Scotland.
His store, Partick Mini Market – which is located directly opposite Partick Library – is a go-to destination for Christmas shoppers who are seeking unconventional, sustainable gifts that demonstrate to recipients that it really is the thought that counts.
From paintings and prints, and honey and chutney, to handmade jewellery, skin and hair care, new and vintage clothing and retro ornaments, the shop is a treasure trove for discerning shoppers who want to give a lasting gift this Christmas.
As Jordan explained, houseplants are growing in popularity as Christmas gifts which can bring all-year-round joy to recipients.
Poinsettias may be regarded as the traditional festive plant, with more than 60,000 grown in Midlothian every year and eight million sold annually.
But, according to Google Trends data, they’re not the UK’s most popular Christmas plant – and Jordan knows why.
“They might be popular in supermarkets, but not in independent shops,” explained Jordan, of Cambuslang, who says he receives more frequent requests from customers for Christmas flowering cacti.
“Poinsettias are difficult to look after. I’d say they are not a good houseplant. They are temperature-sensitive. If someone places a supermarket-bought poinsettia near a draught or a radiator, the leaves will fall off. Also, people aren’t aware that they are quite poisonous. They have a sap inside them and if children get that on their hands, they can get rashes. They are toxic, which makes them unsuitable for people with young children and pets.”
Sutton Manor Nursery analysed recent Google Trends stats, which revealed that mistletoe received 76 per cent more searches than poinsettias in the run-up to Christmas last year.
Cheap and readily available, mistletoe not only has traditional healing qualities, but its romantic symbolism has also earned it recognition in the lyrics of numerous chart-busting festive pop ballads.
In December 2021, mistletoe notched up 301,000 searches – 166,000 ahead of the poinsettia, whose online hits were matched by holly.
The Christmas cactus and the aromatic herb, rosemary, each notched up 33,100 searches, with the cyclamen attracting 22,000 searches, closely followed by the Christmas rose with 12,100 hits.
Jordan says lockdown sparked a renaissance in indoor gardening, with highly decorative foliage plants such as calathea – which boast air-purifying qualities – soaring in popularity.
Cheese plants, which are famed for gracing living rooms in 1970s Britain, are also now all the rage, as are variegated plants, which have multi-coloured leaves, creating striped, blotched, or bordered patterns, and adding splashes of pink and white to a backdrop of dark green.
Jordan’s ‘big statement’ plants are sourced from Europe, and are shipped to his Partick store overnight from large glass houses in the Netherlands and Belgium – and all have plant passports that chart their origins.
Although supermarket plants are cheaper because they source from cut-price suppliers, Jordan warns that means they come with a higher risk of disease which could easily infect and kill owners’ other houseplants.
“The most common thing you get is fungus gnats – little flies you can get from over-watered soil,” he advised.
For other infestations, such as spider-mite – white web-like dots on leaves – he recommends spraying plants weekly with an organic, homemade pest control remedy comprising cider vinegar, washing-up liquid and water.
Former Trinity High School pupil Jordan advises shoppers to do their research before purchasing plants to decorate the Christmas table this festive season.
“All plants have different requirements regarding watering and soil – especially ones that enter a dormant season in the colder months,” he said.
“Planters aren’t only great for your plant, prolonging its life by helping to conserve water and retain soil nutrients, they also come decorated in festive patterns.
“Purchasing plants from local independents has a significant impact on both your and your plant’s carbon footprint. Also at Christmas, consider buying plants that can be decorated. Plants like a lavender tree are sturdy enough to be decorated with baubles and a string of fairy lights for an attractive and unique festive touch to any room.”
Partick Mini Market is open every day from 11am to 6pm. For more information, visit www.partickminimarket.co.uk and www.suttonmanornursery.co.uk
