About Garden Care
How we came to be one of the best garden care providers in Surrey and South West London.
Our Story – Still growing, still evolving
What began in 1967 with a passion for gardening continues to evolve more than five decades later. When Garden Care was founded by Bart Patrick Snr – then a two-person team maintaining private gardens – no one could have predicted the scale it would reach by the early 1980s. By 1983, the company had expanded across multiple sites in Surbiton, Hinchley Wood, New Malden and Kingston.
In 1984, Bart made the decision to consolidate operations and relocate to our current premises in Old Kingston Road, Worcester Park. The site, a former council nursery, allowed the business to unite its teams and services under one roof for the first time in 17 years. Following the move, the print works and hardware shop were sold, marking the final step in the consolidation.
In 1987 the company became Garden Care Supplies Limited, and in 2008 Court Farm Garden Centre was created as the trading arm of the business. After celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2017, the garden centre operation moved to new ownership in 2020, allowing the core business to further specialise in the horticultural services that have shaped our reputation.
A family heritage in horticulture
Horticulture truly runs in the Patrick family. Marc Patrick, now in his role as Founder Consultant Designer, joined the business in 1986 as a gardener’s assistant. Over the decades he developed into an award-winning horticultural expert, securing several RHS medals and steering the company to become one of the most respected providers of garden services across North Surrey, Wimbledon, Kingston, New Malden and Esher.
Marc served as Managing Director from 2003 until his retirement from the position in September 2025 – though he continues to offer his expertise and vision as part of the leadership team.
Continuing the family tradition, Marc’s son, Louis Patrick, joined the management team in 2021. Having previously worked in the garden centre and studying at Merrist Wood Agricultural College, he began to contribute to the operational and strategic development of the business. He was appointed as a Director in September 2025, supporting the company through its next phase of growth.
“A passion for horticulture and the environment we live in”
Award-winning craftsmanship
Our team has worked alongside many award-winning designers and has exhibited four times at the Hampton Court Flower Show, earning three silver gilt medals and a gold medal. In 2010 we were proud to receive the People’s Choice Award with Philippa Pearson and Girlguiding UK.
From design and construction through to ongoing care, our ethos has always been the same: to create beautiful, tranquil spaces that work harmoniously with nature.
A new chapter – Garden Care Group Limited
In December 2025, the company entered an exciting new era as it became Garden Care Group Limited, under the ownership of Andrew Cudd MCI Hort. Andrew brings more than 25 years of experience in horticulture, along with a reputation for quality, integrity and exceptional client care.
As Andrew explains:
“Throughout my career, one thing has never changed – my commitment to quality. I believe in doing things properly, taking pride in the work, and building long-term relationships with clients based on trust and reliability. I’ve always had a clear drive and energy for delivering great results, and I plan to bring that same passion into this next chapter of Garden Care.”
With Louis Patrick and Chris Eve as Directors, Marc Patrick as Founder Consultant Designer, and Andrew Cudd leading the Group, the company remains rooted in its horticultural heritage, while embracing a dynamic and forward-thinking future.
Working with nature, caring for the environment
Sustainability remains central to our operations. All green waste is returned to base before being processed and recycled, with the resulting product often reused in clients’ gardens. We are also trialling the use of fully electric commercial machinery across teams, with the aim of phasing out petrol tools entirely.
Our fleet is undergoing a green transformation too, with Euro 6 vans already in operation and more on the way.
A team built on pride, skill and trust
With more than 58 years of experience, a close-knit team of experts, and a full suite of services offered in-house – from tree surgery and landscaping to design and maintenance – Garden Care Group continues to deliver high-quality, responsible horticulture with a personal family touch.
“We pride ourselves on happy clients and looking after our staff. We are a close-knit team and consequently our staff turnover is low and repeat custom is frequent.”
MEET THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
MARC PATRICK N.C.Hort
FOUNDER & CONSULTANT
Marc has over 30 years experience of working in horticulture. Starting as a gardening assistant and landscaper after leaving school.
Five years on, Marc went to Merrist Wood agricultural college and studied full-time in horticulture and landscape construction. Marc also ran the family Garden Care nursery at weekends and used this time to further his plant knowledge. It clearly paid off because Marc was awarded the Eric Frost memorial prize whilst at Merrist Wood and achieved the highest possible grade.
In 1992 Marc became Garden Maintenance Manager, followed in 1995 by an appointment as a director of the company and then became Managing Director a few years later. Marc has achieved a great deal since 1995. His efforts aided the company in achieving four Royal Horticultural Society medals at the Hampton Court Flower show, including a People’s Choice Award and a Gold Medal.
He managed to plan and convert the family nursery into a garden centre with café and retail areas to suit.
Marc is passionate about horticulture, an expert in landscape construction and a master problem solver. He has a unique knowledge and experience gained over the 30 years that covers so many aspects of the industry; from tree hazard identification, to pruning and planting schemes, to dealing with neighbour disputes, or advising on safety at children’s playgrounds. Alongside this he has an extensive portfolio of construction and planting designs that grows every year. Marc prides himself in turning people’s garden dreams and aspirations into reality.
Privately Marc has a passion for the outdoors, the environment and travel. He can often be found on his time-out enjoying a walk in the countryside or on the beach.
CHRIS EVE N.C.Hort
DIRECTOR
Chris has worked for Garden Care since 2023 starting as a team leader in the garden maintenance department and has since progressed up to the role of Contracts Manager.
Chris has been in the tree and landscaping industry for 30 years. Starting out at Merrist Wood College where he achieved an NVQ Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture, following this Chris went on to do a 10-week tree surgery course in which he achieved a Certificate of Competence in chain saw and related operations. Chris went on from there to work for one of the largest tree firms in the South of England, working his way up from Second Climber to Contracts Manager. From here, Chris started his own Landscaping and Tree Surgery business, working for many private and commercial companies across the South East and London.
Away from work, Chris spends his spare time at his allotment tending to his plot which he has had for ten years. He also loves to watch and play cricket. Chris also spends time in the summer camping by the coast with his family.
LOUIS PATRICK N.C.Hort
DIRECTOR
Louis started his working life at Waitrose in Esher, in this role he learnt excellence in customer service. He then joined Garden Care in 2018 working in the family Garden Centre. He worked mainly in the plant area offering customers advice and building up his knowledge by also looking after the plants according to horticultural best practice.
After gaining some valuable knowledge of plants, Louis began working in the landscaping department as a Landscapers Assistant, this helped him to start learning about basic landscaping.
Louis took this a step further when in late 2019 he began attending Merrist Wood College, studying full time in Level 3 Horticulture and Landscape construction. After finishing his level 3 course in July 2021, Louis returned to Garden Care taking up the role of Garden Maintenance Team Leader. This role allowed Louis to further improve his knowledge and skillset in horticulture. He worked as a Garden Maintenance Team Leader on two of our rounds up until December 2022 when he moved to the admin team. He now uses the experience gained over the past few years from working in the various roles across the business to assist him in his job of planning new projects, going out with the other Contracts Managers, meeting new clients, and analysing materials.
Louis is an enthusiastic horticulturalist, always going above and beyond the needs and expectations of people and their gardens. He is passionate about improving his horticultural knowledge by reading books and learning about different horticultural practices. He aspires to be the future of Garden Care.
From a young age, Louis has been a car enthusiast. He loves working on his car most weekends by adding modifications and attending various car shows up and down the country. Louis also enjoys the outdoors and travelling, taking on new adventures, walking in the countryside and going to the beach in the summer.
TIM BUNNEY N.C.Hort
CONTRACTS MANAGER
Tim has worked for Garden Care since 2013. His career changed from physically building gardens, to using his extensive experience to oversee our team. Tim has been in the landscaping industry for 40 years. Starting with working for Merton Council in the landscape and arboriculture departments in the early 80s, he learnt the trade alongside attending college, where he obtained qualifications in horticulture and landscaping.
After leaving Merton Council, Tim co-founded a landscaping company. After six years he made the move to become a freelance sub contractor, allowing him to work on high-end landscaping projects, becoming teams lead on designer generated works. Tim’s talent created the opportunity to work on medal winning gardens at both Chelsea and Hampton Court flower shows and also move around the country building show gardens for new building projects.
Tim cares strongly about the environment, trying to be as green as possible within the modern landscape industry, with projects containing wild flower banks and using sustainable materials whenever possible.
When not at work Tim likes to keep fit by going to the gym and rowing a Cornish Pilot Gig. Tim is a member of the London Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing Club, based on the Thames. He also enjoys travel, walking his dog, walking without his dog and long weekends in his camper van.
TRACEY PIKE
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
Tracey has worked for Garden Care since 2016, having previously worked in finance & administration for 30 years.
At Garden Care she has been able to combine her love of gardening with managing our busy office. Tracey is 100% customer focused and is the linchpin of the admin team, ensuring that the day-to-day running of the company and the needs of the client are forefront and in focus. Tracey has been integral in turning our office into a paper free environment and also enabling better job management and control.
In her spare time, she enjoys long walks on the South Coast with her family, cooking & reading.
Customer reviews
Many thanks to all our lovely customers for the fantastic reviews
