A COMMERCIAL nursery has donated hundreds of plants to local communities in isolation.

Johnsons of Whixley has distributed seasonal garden plants to villages near its headquarters in Kirk Hammerton, using collection points where residents could pick up the plants while observing social distancing.

It is estimated more than £250m worth of plants will go to waste nationally due to the lockdown. Eleanor Richardson, of Johnsons, said: “We thought it would be nice to share some springtime colour with our local villagers, who might be feeling anxious or pent up. Our business is approaching its centenary in 2021, and we value our long-standing relationship with each of the local villages who have always been a rich source of key employees. Hopefully, these donations will help people to get through this situation, giving them a reason to be outdoors in the fresh air, caring for their plants.”

Plants donated include cheerful flowering varieties such as include Viburnum tinus, Vinca minor and Choisya ternata ‘Sundance’. The colourful Photinia fraseri’ Red Robin, Pieris’ Forest Flame’ and Bergenia Harzkristall are also included, along with geranium and Californian lilac – all perfect for spring and summer planting.

Johnsons regularly makes donations to causes within the community, including £5,000 to help restore the stained glass windows at Whixley church, and plants worth thousands of pounds to a number of schools in the area, including a donation worth more than £5,000 to Springwater, a special needs school in Harrogate.