Plants of Distinction began in 1987 as a small family‑run business with a simple ambition: to offer rare, unusual, and truly distinctive flower seeds to the seed trade. What started as a specialist supplier of flower seeds gradually grew into a business supplying both UK and European home gardeners who enjoyed discovering not only new developments from the seed world but treasures resurrected from the past.

 

In the early years, we became involved with producing several mail‑order seed catalogues for customers overseas. With a background in mail order, we took on this challenge with some relish — supplying wholesale seeds in mail‑order packets for our clients to sell on to their own customers. At the time, it never occurred to us that we might do the same here in the UK on our own account, but finally, in 1995, the penny dropped, and we produced our first modest 20‑page catalogue. From that moment, our focus shifted: what began as a service for overseas customers gradually grew into a business shaped by our own ideas, our own selections, and our desire to offer something distinctive to gardeners at home.

 

As the catalogue expanded, so too did our understanding of what Plants of Distinction could become — a place where flower seeds could be found in an array of single colours, alongside rare and professional varieties, together with quality vegetable seeds that quickly found an appreciative audience.

 

The people who shaped us

Plants of Distinction was built by the partnership of David Tostevin and Sarah Missing, whose shared experience in the mail‑order seed trade helped the business grow from its early beginnings into a name recognised by gardeners worldwide. David’s deep knowledge of the seed world — and his travels to far‑distant shores long before such journeys were commonplace — brought countless unusual varieties into our catalogue. His wife Pam was a steady, invaluable presence behind the scenes, supporting production, packing orders, and helping despatch many catalogues requested by customers.

 

We also owe much to Harry, Sarah’s father, who supported the business in its early years. A lifelong gardener with a passion for vegetables, he trialled new varieties, filled packets by hand, and contributed countless hours of quiet, steady help that shaped the foundations of the company. Harry later passed away, but his early support and enthusiasm remain an important part of our story.

 

David passed away in 2020, followed more recently by Pam. Their influence remains woven into everything we do — in the varieties we select, the standards we keep, and the way we look after our customers.

 

A small team with a big impact

Today Plants of Distinction continues under Sarah’s care, supported by a loyal and hardworking team. Guy, David’s youngest son, has been with us for many years and now heads production, keeping the heart of the business running smoothly. During the Covid years, his partner Simon joined us to help during an exceptionally busy period — and has never left.   He is now a permanent and much‑valued member of the team. Together, Guy and Simon handle customer calls, process orders, and spend the summer months packaging new stock ready for the autumn season.

 

Behind the scenes, our technical progress has been guided for years by Jonathan, our computer programmer. His expertise has shaped every stage of our digital growth — from early bespoke programs to the development of each generation of our website. After many months of hard work, and with the support of our talented website designer Donna, he has helped create our latest refreshed look and improved usability.

 

Our printed catalogue continues to be enjoyed by many, and Sarah spends countless enjoyable hours during the summer months choosing new varieties and putting the pages together, working with Emma, our long‑standing catalogue designer.    She and Sarah have worked together for so many years that there is an almost unspoken understanding of what each season requires, and she remains a highly valued member of our extended team.

 

Although our team may be small in number, my dedicated colleagues — Guy, Simon, Jonathan, Donna and Emma — are the heart of the business.  Other family members and friends continue to play their part too – Kevin, Jan, Sam, Chris & Alix – your time and effort has meant a great deal to us and is much appreciated.   

 

A new home

In July 2026 we moved from our home at Framsden to a new premises: a spacious barn in the quiet village of Henley, Suffolk. Surrounded by countryside, it offers the room we need to work efficiently while keeping the friendly, personal atmosphere that has always defined us.

 

Alongside the move, we’ve refreshed our website to make browsing and ordering easier, clearer, and more enjoyable. That said, we remain just as reachable as ever — always happy to speak to customers directly, answer questions, and help with orders. You are never just a number to us.

 

What matters most

Our aim remains unchanged: to offer top‑quality seeds at fair and competitive prices, to champion flower varieties that are different or hard to find, and to select vegetables first and foremost for flavour and yield. Above all, we want our customers to feel valued, supported, and inspired.

 

Sarah

August 2026