Gowanlea Garden Centre marks 70 years serving Renfrewshire
Set to celebrate seven decades of their family enterprise, Claire Elliot talks to Russell Johnston about the continued prosperity of Gowanlea Garden Centre
A stone’s throw away from Johnstone town centre, tucked away on the other side of the A737, lies a serene little patch of land known as Gowanlea Garden Centre. For the family behind Gowanlea, it’s more than just a business, it’s their own patch of heaven that’s been cultivated through seventy years of Scottish weather and three generations of honest graft. As they gear up to celebrate their 70th Anniversary this May, owner Russell Johnston reflects on a family business whose roots are inextricably entangled with the land.
Russell tells the story of how Gowanlea began in 1954, a seed planted by his own grandfather, Jack Johnston. “I think it was just always in his fingers,” Russell says, “He worked within a plant nursery at the time. He was already minding the business and then this place came up for sale.” In those very early days, the business was seasonal, blooming in the spring and summer months to supply local markets with produce.
From there, the shears were passed down to Russell’s dad Stuart Johnston, who had sought a different life as an electrician in the USA, but was steered home by the tides of fate, back across the Atlantic to Gowanlea. “My father made a new life, and came back,” Russell muses. “My older brother was born in Long Island. My dad was an electrician on the ships and travelled over there, but he came back when my grandfather was struggling in business and getting older.”
Photo by David Brett Warren
Upon coming back to Scotland, Russell’s father quickly made a cosy family home out of the land that Gowanlea Garden Centre still sits on today. “I had a cracking upbringing – I just remember dogs and motorbikes, a good family. I thought it was a great place to bring the kids up outside. I’m glad we stayed.”
Photo by David Brett Warren
From there, Russell’s dad helped to adapt Gowanlea to the then-eighties by steering the business towards the garden centre staple of bedding plants, which he lovingly grew in-house. In his years at the helm of Gowanlea, Stuart became a well-known and well-loved figure within his community alongside his wife Margo, a florist who brought her own touch to the family business with Flowers By Margo. Through Gowanlea, Margo sold her own beautiful arrangements of fresh flowers up until her retirement, upon which Gowanlea took up this much-loved service.
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Today, a third generation tends to Gowanlea in the form of Russell, his wife and his three children, who all do their part to keep the family business coming up roses. “I helped my dad out, so it’s the same thing. Two have moved out but they come and give me a hand on weekends. My wife helps us out, we all get together,” Russell says. Although Russell’s youngest son, at fifteen, isn’t always a fan of the early rises. “I feel kinda bad,” Russell chuckles, “I go in and I’m like ‘right, out your bed!’ But inside as a dad I’m like, ‘I get you, I’d want to have a lie in on a Saturday!’”
Photo by David Brett Warren
However, working, living and raising a family all in the one place isn’t always a bed of roses. Russell explains how it’s near-impossible to take a day off when there’s always something to be done. “If I’m ever laying on the couch, the kids think I’m no well,” Russell laughs. “If I say I’m just chilling, they’re like, ‘that’s no you!’ My dad was the same, it’s history repeating itself a little bit.”
Photo by David Brett Warren
In terms of why Gowanlea has continued to blossom under his time in charge, Russell credits being able to adapt to the times, and the importance of leaning into community. “I love this place. It has its challenges like any business in modern day times, but you need to adapt,” Russell says.
It’s safe to say that they have done just that. While Gowanlea have kept on the services that their loyal customers know and love, such as their fresh flowers and bedding plants, the business has expanded to offer fresh food baskets, bespoke wedding florals, and wreath-making classes. It’s through this growing with the times, cultivating community and branching out through generations that seventy years on, the business remains a perennial favourite within its community.
Q&A with Russell Johnston
Favourite place to walk your dogs? The local field next to our home so the pups can get mucky.
What is Favourite place for a coffee? Any of the small cafés in Johnstone, Houston, Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm.
Where do you take Janice for dinner? The River Inn in Crosslee is our favourite eatery.
What is Your favourite local building or landmark? Johnstone High Parish Church, it’s where we were married and christened our kids.
What is a hidden gem in Renfrewshire? Milliken Tower between Johnstone and Brookfield. I love ancient history!
Gowanlea Garden Centre, Barrochan Road, Johnstone PA5 8YS, 01505 328921, you can visit their website here.
Follow the work of photographer David Brett Warren on Instagram.