The origins of STARKE AYRES lie in the latter part of the 19th century when the old Cape firms of Chas. Ayres and C.Starke & Co. were founded.
Charles Ayres, a trained nurseryman from England, established a nursery in Liesbeek Road, Rosebank in the late 1870s. A seed and florist shop followed that was to continue for 45 years. In the 1890’s C.Starke & Co. was involved in the grain and produce business. Christopher Starke developed the agricultural seed side of the company’s activities, which was later to replace its grain and produce dealings.
Chas. Ayres and C.Starke & Co. merged in 1920, and from the Head Office at Mowbray, Cape Town, the company has grown and spread its influence far and wide in Southern Africa.
Starke Ayres continued to grow its vegetable seed business and in 1932 established a branch in Pretoria. In 1985 the company was taken over by Pannar Seed (Pty) Ltd, the largest private seed company in Africa. It developed its own vegetable breeding program and ranks as a leading national and international supplier of vegetable seed varieties.
Starke Ayres served the public of Cape Town as a supplier of quality seeds, trees, shrubs, pot plants, bulbs, fresh flowers, and a variety of garden requisites through its retail outlets in Mowbray and Rosebank. The company was entrusted with the floral decorations for government, diplomatic and civil receptions, the Royal Family’s visit, and the 21st birthday ball in honor of Princess Elizabeth, now Queen of England. Starke Ayres Garden Center has since established itself as a leading and respected retail outlet in Rosebank, Cape Town.
In April 2012 a second retail branch opened in West Coast Village Shopping Centre, Sandown Road, Sunningdale. Starke Ayres Garden Centre and Restaurant, West Coast Village, supplies the community of the West Coast with the same quality products and services.
Both branches are served by a team of knowledgeable horticulturists and offer a comprehensive range of decor and gardening products to the gardening and landscaping industry. A Word from the Office “We at Starke Ayres Garden Centre are proud to be of service to our community. Ours is a culture of uniformity, trust, and loyalty.
