Matheson and Roberts
Market Days
Wednesday and SaturdayPhone
Mobile
021-100-5136Address
Matheson & Roberts is a name long associated with Dunedin gardening. In 1876 “seeds-men and plant merchants” Nimmo and Blair set up shop in High Street. Messrs Matheson & Roberts both worked for the company and purchased the retail business in 1919. The Matheson & Roberts company prospered in its premises at no. 10 The Octagon.
Well known Dunedin Horticulturist, Martin Pryde, a long time employee of the firm took over the business in 1966. Mr Pryde was the most amazing plants-man and had a clientèle who revered his knowledge. In 1990 the shop was relocated to 10 McBride St., South Dunedin. After the death of Mr Pryde in 1999, the business was taken over by Adam Paterson, also a long time employee and qualified Nurseryman.
A nationwide change in the horticultural scene that saw a switch to easy-care gardens with an emphasis on grasses, flaxes and sedges, meant the firm had to move with it. The garden centre was closed in 2004.
Now co-owners of Matheson and Roberts, Adam & Jo-Ann Paterson, continue to operate a Garden Maintenance service and a small nursery. They grow a good assortment of culinary herbs, bearded iris rhizomes, flower seed, perennials,lilies, heritage seed potatoes and heritage vegetable plants/seeds.
They have flowers – lots of them! Hand tied bouquets & posies of Roses, Iris, Dahlias, Narcissi, Sweet Peas, Chrysanthemums, Lilies, etc. all on a seasonal basis. Grown by Jo-Ann, who was inspired by her Grandmother Janet Duncan, who grew sweet peas and Regale lilies commercially. Many were sold to Betty Jacksons' florist shop, St Andrew St. (Lilies fetched 6p per floret in the early 1950's).
Well known Dunedin Horticulturist, Martin Pryde, a long time employee of the firm took over the business in 1966. Mr Pryde was the most amazing plants-man and had a clientèle who revered his knowledge. In 1990 the shop was relocated to 10 McBride St., South Dunedin. After the death of Mr Pryde in 1999, the business was taken over by Adam Paterson, also a long time employee and qualified Nurseryman.
A nationwide change in the horticultural scene that saw a switch to easy-care gardens with an emphasis on grasses, flaxes and sedges, meant the firm had to move with it. The garden centre was closed in 2004.
Now co-owners of Matheson and Roberts, Adam & Jo-Ann Paterson, continue to operate a Garden Maintenance service and a small nursery. They grow a good assortment of culinary herbs, bearded iris rhizomes, flower seed, perennials,lilies, heritage seed potatoes and heritage vegetable plants/seeds.
They have flowers – lots of them! Hand tied bouquets & posies of Roses, Iris, Dahlias, Narcissi, Sweet Peas, Chrysanthemums, Lilies, etc. all on a seasonal basis. Grown by Jo-Ann, who was inspired by her Grandmother Janet Duncan, who grew sweet peas and Regale lilies commercially. Many were sold to Betty Jacksons' florist shop, St Andrew St. (Lilies fetched 6p per floret in the early 1950's).