Windback Wednesday - Heyne's Nursery

Did you know that Heyne’s Garden Centre in Beulah Park is the longest running plant nursery in South Australia? The business has been in the Heyne family for five generations, and started when German botanist Ernst Heyne arrived in South Australia (following 19 years in Melbourne) in 1869. Immediately following his arrival, Ernst opened a plant nursery on Bond Street, Norwood, followed by a shop on Rundle Street.

The Heyne’s operated a number of botanical businesses, spanning The Parade to the Central Markets, changing names and locations a number of times (particularly as the family was affected by anti-German sentiment in WWI and WWII), but always remaining in the Heyne family. The current Heyne’s Garden Centre at Beulah Park began operation in 1928. From 1929, Heyne’s Nursery began offering a door-to-door plant selling service for people living in rural areas, first using horse and cart before purchasing a truck in 1931. This mobile Nursery truck (pictured) was a very successful venture, operating for around 10 years. Today, Heyne’s Garden Centre continues to flourish under the management of fourth and fifth Generation Heyne family members.

Photograph: Carl F. Heyne & Son Nursery Van, c.1935. Burnside Local History Collection.