The nursery was founded by Jack Drake over 50 years ago. He moved north with his parents in 1938, where they settled at Inshriach House. Close by was the 4 acres of land where the nursery sits today. Originally the site was woodland, although the stream and pond are still there, just as they were the day Jack Drake started the nursery.

It was a rocky start for Jack Drake as nothing would grow, but with help of a new compost developed by the John Innes Institute, he managed to turn it around and the alpines flourished.

In 1949 John Lawson joined the nursery and the business grew. The two cottages were built to accomodate the staff in 1950. John Lawson became Jack Drake's partner in 1955, Jack Drake did not retire until 1971.

In 1999 it was time for John Lawson to hand the business over, and did so to John and Gunn Borrowman, who came over from a nursery in Norway with their family.