Located at the foot of the Amatole Mountains near Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

The Shire Wild Bulb Nursery was started in 2004 by Rob Scott, sprung from an interest inherited from a good friend and mentor, Cameron McMaster. From the age of 12 years old Rob joined Cameron on his long hikes through rough countryside, like the Kei River Valley, where many of his exciting botanical discoveries were made. Years later during a gap year after school, Rob found himself working for Star Plants, a large wholesale nursery in England, where they churned out tens of thousands of Hollyhocks and Fuschias. But it was only at the age of 23, once he returned home from his travels and started building his Lodge, The Shire Eco-lodge, that his real passion for bulbs began. The first bulbs he grew from seed were Nerine, Haemanthus and Scadoxus. These were all very successful, and so the collection began. Regularly increasing in size, the nursery now comprises of four shade houses, 2 poly-carb roofed houses and numerous open beds where the landscapers specialities are mass propagated.

There are at present over 300 species of indigenous bulbs, the majority of which are endemic to South Africa. Over the years Rob has realised just how threatened many of these plants are in the wild. Apart from being involved with the conservation and protection of these wild populations, his goal is to promote conservation of the rarer species through cultivation. Rob has developed a keen interest in botanical photography, and wildlife photography in general, so if you have time, do have a look through his galleries to get an idea of the beauty and diversity we have at our doorstep.

For those who would like to experience more, we have beautiful chalets on the edge of the Afro-montane forest, and botanical day tours can be arranged so you too can get a chance to see the beautiful rare and endemic plants growing in the Mountains surrounding us.

Hope you enjoy the site and that you find something of interest to add to your collection.