Internationally renowned plant farm Roraima Nursery to ‘slowly wind up’ trade
An internationally renowned nursery in Lara, which specialises in exotic plants and rare succulents and has caught freeway drivers’ eyes for decades, is set to close.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A popular nursery in Lara, which specialises in exotic plants and rare succulents, is set to close.
Roraima Nursery, located by the Princes Fwy, has announced it will “slowly wind up” within the next two to three years.
Owner Lyle Filippe, 50, said it was a “bittersweet” decision and customers were shocked to hear the news.
“Everybody can’t believe it,” he said.
“We’re their go-to place for unusual things or just to have a wander around our sculpture gardens.
“They are devastated they won’t have this place to visit anymore.”
Mr Filippe has worked in the horticultural industry for more than 30 years and plans to retire once the nursery closes.
“I’ve worked seven days a week for more than 22 years,” he said.
“It wasn’t a quick decision, I’ve been thinking about it for a year or so.
“It was a hard decision but it feels like the right time to wind it down and try new things.”
Mr Filippe purchased the nursery in 2001, when it was known as the Lara Plant Farm.
The 2.8ha nursery has expanded to a retail section, display gardens and a production area, where the team propagates its own plants.
“We grow about 70 per cent of our own produce here,” Mr Filippe said.
“The gardens are a resource, that’s where I get my seeds and cuttings from.”
The nursery is renowned across Australia and the globe for its selection of unusual and different plants, including palms, pines, cacti and ferns.
Mr Filippe’s love of plants and cacti was fostered from a young age.
“I was always interested in plants,” he said.
“I’ve got the collector bug so I like anything unusual and different.”
Mr Filippe said he was proud to have created a “unique” nursery and to have inspired others to try something different in their garden.
The nursery is currently having a 50 per cent sale on potted plants to clear stock ahead of the closure.
More Coverage
Originally published as Internationally renowned plant farm Roraima Nursery to ‘slowly wind up’ trade
High profile Geelong sporting centre to close
A basketball training hub part-owned by an Olympic medallist is closing its doors, with management citing rising costs as the key factor.
‘My downfall’: Smith’s message to trade critics, reasons behind move
Bailey Smith has opened up on why he chose Geelong and thanked his former club. But he also had a pointed message for his detractors. Plus, he speaks for the first time as a Cat.