James Dobbie and the early years

James Dobbie started our company in 1865 - the same year that Abraham Lincoln's assassination signalled the end of the American Civil War. 

In Britain the industrial revolution was puting gardening within the reach of ordinary people.  For the first time glasshouses made it possible for gardeners to experiment with exotic palms and plants.

Against this backdrop James packeted and sold the incredible 16oz harvest of seeds from a prize-winning leek.  The stock sold in less than 2 days and a new market was created.

A Royal Warrant - and 50,000 customers                                                           

In 1894 James' exacting standards and horticultural prowess were recognised when Dobbies proudly gained a Royal Warrant - the first of many acknowledgements of Dobbies' horticultural pedigree.

Dobbies' vision and popularity kept pace with the country's burgeoning interest in gardening and by the turn of the century Dobbies' seed catalogue was mailed to over 50,000 customers, in UK and Europe.

Takeover, growth and 10 million customers  

 In 1969 Dobbies was bought by Waterers - another distinguished horticultural business.  With Waterers' Surrey base, we were able to increase sales in Scotland and England too.

Dobbies remained in private ownership until a successful flotation on the Alternative Investment Market in 1997. This raised funds which allowed us to undertake the ambitious expansion plans and capitalise on the UK's love of gardening. 

Since then Dobbies has built on its credentials.  We have a broader range of products than ever before - along with an even broader customer base.  In fact our 24 retail sites throughout the UK welcome some 10 million shoppers every year.