The ten acres of the Whispering Trees Nursery is home to some of Britain’s rarest ‘heritage’ fruit trees as well as the very latest cultivars and examples from around the world, many of which they have bred and are available only from the nursery.
Based at Wimbotsham in Norfolk, the nursery was started more than 40 years ago and trades as Chris Bowers and Sons. It is the UK’s number one fruit plants specialist and is run by the founder’s son, John Bowers, and his business partner Steve Edwards. Their ambition is to encourage every homeowner – even if their garden is a balcony – to have at least one growing fruit tree. Their 2023 catalogue is the largest and most comprehensive in the firm’s 45-year history: Request a Chris Bowers Specialist Fruit Tree and Soft Fruit Catalogue
The business was started in 1978 by John’s late father and mother – both named Chris – and has always focussed on fruit trees and plants. Today the nursery has more than 700 different varieties growing at Whispering Trees. This is believed to be the largest number on one site in the UK.
“We are continuously expanding our offering and, for 2023, are introducing *six brand new varieties of different fruits. We also strongly believe that we must protect our heritage range and are always on the lookout for new ‘old ones’ to add. If offered an old or unusual variety, either plant or tree, we are an authority on the subject with the knowledge, expertise and devotion to bring this forward with a carefully planned breeding programme,” he adds.
“The real growth in sales, however, is from new varieties, including those that are more resistant to climate change such as Sylvia and Black Star cherries. They are split resistant because the fruits are born beneath the foliage canopy protecting them from heavy rain,” adds Steve.
*The six fruit varieties new for 2023 are:
· **Cooking Apple ‘Norfolk Apple Pie’ Apple Norfolk Apple Pie Cooking Apple – Chris Bowers
· **Black Mulberry ‘Black Lady’ Black Lady Mulberry Trees – Chris Bowers
· **Compact Quince ‘Patio Gold’ Siberian Gold Quince Tree – Chris Bowers
· Sweet Black Cherry ‘Black Star’ Sweet Cherry Black Star – Chris Bowers
· New Thornless Gooseberry ‘Xenia’
· Strawberry ‘Elegance’
**These three varieties are currently available only form Chris Bowers and Sons.