After nearly half a century of serving Cardiff gardeners, the Dutch Garden Centre is set to close its doors for good in summer 2026. Owners Lisa and Gary, who have devoted 48 years to the business, announced the closure in May 2026, marking the end of an era for a beloved local institution.
A Family Legacy Comes to an End
Lisa's father, Jaap Deen, founded the garden centre after arriving from the Netherlands in the early 1960s with just a push bike and garden tools. He started landscaping in Cardiff and eventually established the centre on an old farmhouse site. The business grew into a Cardiff landmark, known for its Dutch windmill signage at the A48 roundabout near Cardiff Gate.
Lisa and Gary have worked at the centre for 48 years, continuing the legacy. The site includes their family home, built in 1994, where they raised their children. The couple plans to relocate to north Devon once the keys are handed over to Cardiff Council, the freehold owner.
Emotional Announcement
Lisa told WalesOnline: "When we wrote the Instagram post there wasn't a dry eye in the room, and we hesitated, we just sat there, no-one wanted to press the 'post' button, I think in the end our son did it." The reaction from customers has been overwhelming, with many dropping off flowers and chocolates.
Gary explained: "It's been a long decision to close. It's taken us a couple of years to come to the decision. There were suggestions that the council were looking to create a school at the site, but the most recent plan I think is for a green crematorium." He added that retail is getting harder, with strong competition from big garden centres, supermarkets, and online sellers.
Memories and Heritage
Many Cardiff residents have fond memories of visiting the centre with their parents. The site also hosted Welsh celebrities like Charlotte Church, Cerys Matthews, and Ruth Jones, often unrecognised. Lisa recalled her father's directness, once asking Tom Jones' wife if she was his mother.
The garden centre survived the Great Storm of 1987, when 300 panes of glass were sucked out of the greenhouse. Over decades, the family witnessed Cardiff's growth, from a farmhouse in eight acres to a bustling suburb.
Future Plans
Gary left school at 16 to work at the centre, later starting his own landscaping business. He and Lisa reconnected after Jaap told him "Lisa is a free agent now." They have been together for 37 years. Now in their late fifties, they look forward to semi-retirement in north Devon, where they have family and friends.
The centre's four goats will move with them. Lisa said: "It's going to be a massive wrench, because there's memories in every corner of the place." Gary added: "We keep saying it's the start of an exciting new chapter for us."
