When Aspley Nursery was established in 1951 by Sidney Percy, Brisbane’s northern outskirts still retained a distinctly semi-rural character. Over the decades that followed, the nursery grew alongside the suburb, operated by two generations of the Percy family and becoming both a horticultural enterprise and a familiar landmark for local residents.
Many gardeners remember the retail nursery between Maundrell Terrace and Gympie Road. Originally located on the western side of Maundrell Terrace, Sidney Percy and his family cultivated gerberas and tuberoses for the cut flower market, sending much of their produce to Melbourne.
In the early years, before town water was connected, Sid carried water by hand to sustain the plants until a water service was installed. During these construction works, remnants of old stables were uncovered. Long-time residents recalled that coaching companies had once used stables in the area, revealing another layer of the district’s earlier rural life.
Branching Out: World Expos and Industry Excellence
As demand increased, the business expanded beyond its retail presence. In 1979, the original production nursery was established at Burpengary, supplying container stock to the landscape and retail nursery industry. Later facilities at Morayfield enabled the cultivation of advanced container-grown plants and contract grow-on stock for larger projects across Queensland.
Aspley Nursery was among the first in Queensland to gain accreditation under the Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia, reflecting a commitment to environmental standards and professional growing practices. The Percy family’s influence extended beyond their own operations. The nursery contributed plant supply to Expo 90 in Osaka, Japan, and, in conjunction with two other nurseries, developed the Expo 88 Epiphyte Forest, one of the highlights of Brisbane’s World Expo.
Sidney Percy was named Nurseryman of the Year in 2008 at the age of 95 and remained active in the nursery until his death in 2009. Robert and Noel Percy were jointly named Nurseryman of the Year in 2013.
The retail nursery closed in June 2004, marking the end of a long-standing presence in Aspley’s streetscape. Its legacy endures in the gardens and landscapes shaped by Percy-grown plants.
Featured image: Image: Aspley Nursery from Maundrell Terrace entrance| Image credit The Chermside & Districts Historical Society
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