In Cambridge, gardening is part of how people express pride in their homes, care for their neighbourhoods, and mark the passing of the seasons. From traditional cottage gardens and productive backyard plots to modern, compact spaces blending food, structure and natives, gardens here reflect patience, creativity, and a deep connection to place.
One of the people who has shaped that culture is Robert Clancy.
Robert is the second-generation director of Amber Garden Centre, a family run business that has grown alongside Cambridge for more than 45 years. Having worked in the nursery industry for nearly four decades, he has watched not only how people garden has changed, but also how the town itself has expanded around the nursery.
“We always thought we’d be on the outskirts,” he says. “When we bought the land for the existing garden centre, the expressway wasn’t here. Now the town has grown right up to us.”
A life spent growing
Robert grew up around plants, eventually joining his parents full-time and helping reshape the business. Under his leadership, Amber Nurseries, as it was known back then, shifted from a largely wholesale operation to a fully retail garden centre - Amber Garden Centre - a move that allowed the focus to land firmly on local gardeners and long term relationships.
“If you didn’t love what you do, you wouldn’t do it,” he says. “I’ve been doing this for more than 35 years, and I still wake up every day wanting to be here,” he adds proudly.
That commitment runs deep. Robert lives on site, starts work well before dawn during peak seasons, and knows many customers by name.
“Seeing people leave happy and feeling like they’ve got value for money, that’s what keeps me going.”
What’s changing in the garden
Robert has watched gardening habits evolve steadily over time. While flowers and tidy borders still have their place, many Cambridge gardeners now want gardens that work harder for them.
“People still want beautiful spaces,” he says, “but they also want gardens that fit their lives, whether that’s producing food, encouraging birds, or simply being manageable.”
Smaller sections have driven a move toward structure, with clipped forms, espaliered fruit trees and planting along fences becoming increasingly popular. Vegetable gardens have also seen renewed interest, driven in part by household budgets and a desire for greater self-sufficiency.
Growing locally, for local conditions
“About 98 per cent of what we sell is grown here,” says Robert. “Seedlings, punnets and shrubs. They’re raised in local conditions, so when they go into people’s gardens, they’re already used to the climate.”
That local knowledge extends to Amber’s long-serving staff, some of whom have been advising Cambridge gardeners for decades. Passing that experience on to customers and younger staff alike is essential to the nursery’s future, Robert believes.
“There’s no label on a pot that can replace a real conversation with someone who knows plants.”
Growing for a cause
Amber Garden Centre’s role extends well beyond its gates. The business is a long-time supporter of the Rotary Cambridge Garden Festival, which opens private gardens to the public for inspiration. Proceeds from ticket sales go to the Cambridge Rotary Charitable Trust, which donates to local causes. The festival highlights the diversity of gardens across the town and the creativity of those who care for them.
Robert has also been involved in supporting Garden to Table at Cambridge Primary School, established as a specialist programme in 2022. Students from years 0-6 have the opportunity to grow, harvest and prepare food, while learning about watering, weeding, pest control, soil health and composting.
“Gardening knowledge used to be handed down naturally. These days, if we don’t make a point of sharing it, it just disappears,” he explains.
“If kids learn early where food comes from and how to grow it, that stays with them far longer than anything they read online. It’s not about turning every child into a gardener; it’s about giving them the basics so they’re not afraid to give it a go.”
There have been numerous other quiet acts of community support over the decades, including donating plants to public spaces and helping community groups establish their gardens.
Still growing
As Cambridge continues to change, Robert is realistic about the challenges ahead, from rising land values to succession planning. But his passion for the business remains undimmed.
“In the end, this place is about people,” he says. “Gardening brings connection. If Amber Garden Centre can keep helping people feel confident in their gardens and proud of where they live, then we’re doing something right.”
What grows well in Cambridge?
With warm summers, cool winters and generally good soil, Cambridge is well-suited to a wide range of plants. Vegetable gardens continue to thrive, with tomatoes, beans, courgettes and leafy greens among the most popular choices. Citrus trees, particularly lemons and limes, do well here, while feijoas remain a backyard favourite.
Ornamental gardens are just as strong. Roses, camellias and hydrangeas perform reliably, and natives such as kōwhai, hebes and pittosporum are increasingly popular for both structure and wildlife value.
