The origins of Webbs business are traceable to the middle of the nineteenth century when Edward Webb was a successful agricultural seeds merchant trading from Wordsley near Stourbridge in the West Midlands. By the end of the century Webbs seeds had become a household name and Webbs were appointed seeds-men to every monarch in succession from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Edward’s grandson, William, took over the business and involvement in the Wychbold area began with the purchase of Astwood Farm in 1925. There, both agricultural and horticultural seeds were trialled to assess their quality. The garden seeds trials were established alongside the Birmingham-Bristol main railway line but by 1937, when the motorcar had become the prime form of transport, Webbs moved their trial grounds to the A38 in Wychbold – the main Birmingham-Bristol road.
In 1937 the famous Webbs thatched building, the floor of which was designed to incorporate wood from all countries of the Commonwealth at that time, was completed by Messrs Braziers of Bromsgrove as a reception centre and the Wychbold Trial Grounds became a local landmark.
During the late 1960s and early ‘70s, the English seed trade was transformed by a series of mergers. Webbs Garden Seeds joined with Bees and moved to Chester leaving the Wychbold site occupied by a fledgling garden centre started by William’s son Michael in the late 1960s.
In 1971, Richard Webb, great grandson of the original Edward Webb, purchased the site with his wife Marigold from his uncle Michael and so began the development of Webbs as both a Garden Centre and Nursery.
Throughout the years the site at Wychbold has expanded and developed with Webbs establishing itself as a leading horticultural centre and regional tourist attraction, with a succession of retail awards recognising Garden Centre expertise.
Today the business is led by Ed Webb, great, great grandson of the firm’s founder. Most recent developments for the company have seen the acquisition of a new site in the Midlands at West Hagley, going into partnership with Garden Organic at Ryton Gardens near Coventry and the availability of many Webbs products online at www.webbsdirect.co.uk.
With a horticultural background rooted firmly in history, Webbs can offer you the service, products and expertise you need to make your garden and home a growing pleasure.
