Our Story
From a Retirement Hobby to a Cape Landmark
At Hart Nursery, we don’t just sell plants—we cultivate a legacy. What began in 1987 as a retirement passion project for the late Roy Mountjoy, a lifelong horticulturist, has blossomed into one of the Cape’s most cherished gardening destinations.
Today, the green-thumb tradition continues with Gary and Pam Hart (Roy’s daughter), who have recently welcomed the third generation—their son, Cameron—into the heart of the family business.
A Building with a Soul
Our nursery sits on a historic one-acre site that has been a pillar of the community for over 130 years. Our office, a beautifully restored farmhouse built in the 1890s, still features its original soft red bricks, a Victorian fireplace, and solid Oregon Pine door.
We have carefully blended this “Old Cape” character with a modern retail experience, preserving the spirit of the past while building a world-class gardening space.
Over a Century of Heritage
Our site has worn many hats over the decades, evolving alongside the Cape community:
- Late 1800s: Established as a farmhouse by German immigrant farmers.
- 1920s – 30s: Building expanded to house the local Post Office and various businesses (look for our 1927-dated gable!).
- 1940s – 70s: Served as a local garage (complete with glass-bowl fuel bowsers) and the site of Springbok Café.
- 1987: Roy begins his “retirement hobby,” originally named Plant Bazaar.
- 1993: Pam and Gary acquire the land, officially transitioning the business into Hart Nursery.
Today: With the addition of the next generation and acquiring more land, we continue to grow our space and our passion.
The Hart Philosophy: Gardening with a Personal Touch
When you visit us, you aren’t just a customer; you’re a guest in our family’s garden. You’ll often find Gary and Pam walking the floor with their friendly dogs, ready to share “old-fashioned” gardening wisdom.
Did you know? Between them, Pam and Gary share 94 years of gardening experience. Pam was raised in the nursery trade, and Gary has been hands-on since 1990
Organic & Sustainable Expertise..
We believe in creating a healthier living environment for your home and family. We specialize in an environmentally conscious approach to gardening through:
- Organically Grown Produce: A massive selection of flower, herb, and vegetable plants.
- Natural Remedies: We teach the use of honey, cinnamon, castor oil, and vinegar for natural pest and growth control.
- Mineral-Rich Soil: We are proud advocates of Volcanic Rock Dust, containing 72 minerals and trace elements to give your plants the strongest possible foundation.
- Eco-Friendly Supplies: We are dedicated stockists of organic fertilisers and botanical insecticides.
Experience the history, breathe in the fresh Cape air, and let us help your garden reach its full potential.
“We promote a different approach to gardening—one that is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and rooted in tradition.”
— The Hart Family