Harry Wheatcroft (1898 Sneinton, Notts. - January 8, 1977 Nottingham)
Alfred Wheatcroft, his brother.
Nursery established in 1919. Succeeded by Harry Wheatcroft & Sons in 1962. - see also Breeders.
1950 The Rose Annualp141. Round the Nurseries.
Harry Wheatcroft: Wheatcroft Brothers Ltd., Ruddington, Nottingham.
Alfred and Harry. Yes, you all know Harry, but Alfred is more retiring. On a visit to the nurseries at Ruddington, however one realises that he is far from “retired “. After serving an arduous apprenticeship, in 1919, on a one-acre allotment, he started his own nursery. His brother Harry joined him, and they specialised in roses, exhibiting at local shows. Each year found Harry travelling further afield, and Alfred growing more roses, with a never relaxing vigilance to produce the best trees possible. The quality of the bloom at the leading shows was acknowledged by success in competition, culminating in 1930 when Wheatcroft Brothers won 13 “firsts” at consecutive shows. It was a sad day when for health reasons Harry had to abandon the big displays, the staging of which necessitated working night and day. The quality of the trees was recognised by the ever-increasing volume of business which came until September, 1939, when the firm had half-a-million maidens and half-a-million budded stocks. Alas, few were sold, and with the exception of a nucleus (in many cases only two or three plants of a variety) they were ploughed in! Back in full production and with a fine set of novelties, the Wheatcroft Brothers are full of confidence and optimism for the future......
Photo: Alfred and Harry Wheatcroft.
[From
Modern Roses 10, p. 738:] Wheatcroft Gardening, England.
