Bowdens Plant Specialists

About Bowdens

Bowdens is a family business run by Tim and Ruth Penrose specialising in mail order plants. Bowdens is located in the village of Sticklepath on the northern edge of Dartmoor in Devon – we always have the kettle on so do come and see us.


We have dealt with hostas for over 30 years and are acknowledged as a leading hosta nursery in the United Kingdom. Bowdens is a "growing" business and from 2004 to the present day we have diversified into other plants, bringing along the expertise of experienced growers. The acquisitions of Rickards Hardy Ferns, The Pot and Grass Company, The Bamboo Store, The Outdoor Space Company, Jungle Giants, and Pine Cottage Plants have served to strengthen our ability to serve our customers with a wider range of products.


Bowdens have displayed continually at Chelsea Flower Show since 1996 in the Grand Floral Marquee, and we have won numerous gold medal awards from all the major flower shows in the country.


From 2007 to 2015, Bowdens held a Royal Warrant for the supply of hostas to HRH The Prince of Wales.

Our Proprietors and Founders

  • Tim and Ruth Penrose

    Tim and Ruth Penrose purchased Bowdens in 2004 from Ann and Roger Bowden, Ruth's Mum and Dad.


    Previously, Tim and Ruth owned Hudson's Coffee House in Birmingham having started that business in 1990 and sold it in 2006 after many awards nationally and internationally. Hudson's Coffee House won 'The United Kingdom Egon Ronay Award For Best Tea House' in 1993 and featured on the front cover of the book 'The World's Best Coffee Houses' in 1997.


    Ruth and Tim, together with their three daughters Anna, Ellen and Felicity, live just a few miles away from the nursery. Tim deals with the logistics and the running of the nursery and Ruth looks after the show plants, takes photographs and builds magnificent hosta displays, together making a wonderful team!

  • Roger and Ann Bowden

    Roger and Ann Bowden are hugely significant not only in the story of Bowden Hostas, but also in the introduction and popularisation of hostas during the early 1990s in the United Kingdom. They were key figures in the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society over the years, and were internationally acknowledged as experts in hosta growing.


    Hostas for them started as a hobby when they purchased dormant plants from a deceased friend - John Goater.


    As is so often the case, the hobby grew like topsy and in 1992 they were invited to exhibit at the Devon County Show where they were awarded a Silver medal. Their high point came in 1999 when they were awarded a Gold medal at Chelsea Flower Show.


    were responsible for naming and introducing the Devon range of hostas, including Devon Blue, Devon Giant, Devon Green, Devon Gold, and Devon Mist.


    In 2004, they sold the business to their daughter Ruth and son in-law Tim.

Our Gardening Experts

Bowdens continues to curate plants of national importance and retain the people behind the plants. With many gold medals, special awards in horticulture and just so many years of hands on experience about growing plants, these people are like National Trust properties; they should be saved for the nation! And so, that is exactly what we have done at Bowdens as we lead the way in plant specialities.

Paul Whittaker

Bamboo Specialist

Dick & Lorna Fulcher

Agapanthus Experts

  • About

    Established in 1996, Pine Cottage Plants was a small nursery overlooking the Taw valley in rural mid Devon where owners Dick and Lorna Fulcher specialised in growing Agapanthus and breeding their own hybrids. When Bowdens acquired the nursery business in 2017, they also acquired a duplicate Plant Heritage National Collection of Pine Cottage Hybrids which now resides in Bowden's gardens at Sticklepath. Dick and Lorna's National Collection at Wembworthy may be viewed by appointment.


    After many years of horticulture in Scotland, including 10 years as head gardener of the National Trust for Scotland's Inverewe Garden and Estate, and 12 years at Bicton College in Devon, Dick’s experience is extensive. He was made an RHS Associate of Honour in 2012.

  • Media & Resources

    Alluring agapanthus: the best new varieties - The Telegraph 30 June 2015


Ruth Penrose

Hosta Expert

  • About

    Ruth's interest in hostas stemmed initially from helping Ann and Roger at RHS shows. Many a holiday spent with them in Sticklepath also involved helping with various hosta matters, which continued her fascination. Thirty-something years of growing hostas, both in the garden and for selling, have increased that experience. The National Collection of Hostas was transferred to Ruth and redefined as (Halcyon and sports) back in 2015. 

  • Media & Resources



Martin Rickard

Fern Expert & Author

Dick Hayward

Fern Expert

  • About

    Professor Dick Hayward is our online fern expert. Dick holds a revered place amongst fern enthusiasts in this country and further afield. After his first retirement from teaching theoretical linguistics, Dick took over Martin Rickard's business "Rickard Hardy Ferns" and remains great friends with Martin. 


    From his home in north Wales, Dick grows many speciality ferns exclusively for Bowdens. Dick is also a public face to Bowdens, delighting meeting customers and dispensing fern advice. He's also a secret hosta fancier! Dick is a regular at The Chelsea Flower Show and has appeared with Gardening Scotland on several occasions including 2013.

  • Media & Resources

    Pilgrimage to Culcita - an article by Dick Hayward for Chamaerops


    Indoor Ferns - an article by Dick Hayward for Bowdens


    https://youtu.be/j_-KgtmUxNg


Paul Whittaker

Bamboo Specialist

Dick and Lorna Fulcher

Agapanthus Experts

Felicity Penrose

Shows Consultant

  • About

    Felicity Penrose has been involved with Bowdens Nursery from a very early age. Things started to get serious in 2019 when building a stand at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show, she became the youngest ever exhibitor to win a medal in the Floral Marquee.

    Spurred on to greater things, Felicity masterminded the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Routemaster bus display in September 2021, being responsible for logistics, planning and publicity material.

    In May 2022, Felicity was interviewed by Mary Berry for a BBC article on growing ferns. Following this she was a presenter at The Potting Bench at both the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2022, and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in 2022.

    In early 2023, Felicity sat on a press conference panel in London launching the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, talking about the future of horticulture for young people.

    All before the age of 20!

    Also in 2023, Felicity was responsible for the planning, part build, and publicity, for Bowdens Nursery RHS Chelsea Flower Show presence. The display comprised separate exhibits, showcasing four of Bowdens collection of British heritage nurseries, all centred a common theme of a hot air balloon commemorating the 150th anniversary of Jules Verne's "Around The World in 80 Days".

  • Media & Resources



RHS Medal Record

Tim and Ruth Penrose acquired Bowdens in 2004 from Ruth's parents. Since then, they have been awarded a total of 37 RHS Gold Medals, including:

2024

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Fesitval

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

2023

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

2014

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

2013

RHS Chelsea Flower Show (x2)

2012

RHS Chelsea Flower Show (x2)

BBC Gardeners' World Live

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

2011

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

2010

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

2010

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

2009

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

BBC Gardeners' World Live

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

2008

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

BBC Gardeners' World Live

2007

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

2006

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

2005

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

BBC Gardeners' World Live

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

2004

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

BBC Gardeners' World Live

National Hosta and Agapanthus Collections & Garden Tours

Bowdens are proud to host two National Collections:

  • The National Collection of Hostas - 'Halcyon' and Sports
  • The National Collection of Agapanthus - Pine Cottage Cultivars.

We welcome visitors, whether by carload or by coachload. For those wanting a special tour, take a look at our customisable experiences at Bowdens.

Visit Us

Garden Talks

When gardening enthusiasts and clubs can’t make it to us, we can make it to them. Peter Savage is our gardening talk specialist, providing interesting facts on the road.

Find Out More

Make Your Own Bowdens Garden

Become your own gardening expert by taking a part of Bowdens home with you today! We have a range of hostas, agapanthus, ferns, and bamboos perfect for beginner and advanced gardeners. 

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