A passion for plants since 1932
Blue Mountain Nurseries was founded in 1931–32 by Stanley R. Hughes, who came to New Zealand in 1924 after studying agriculture in England. The nursery began by growing vegetables for local customers, but Stanley’s passion was ornamental plants. With his wife Elizabeth, he built a nursery known for its plant collections and for welcoming visitors to talk plants. Their sons John and Denis developed different parts of the family business. Denis and Margaret built the tree, shrub and retail nursery, with a particular interest in rhododendrons and azaleas. Today, a third generation of the Hughes family works alongside the nursery team, continuing the family’s plant-growing tradition in Tapanui.