photos SAMEE LAPHAM..........GREEN-FINGERED DOMINIC HOOGHUIS AND
DUNCAN HILDER RUN A ROVING PLANT TRUCK
AND CARAVAN IN NORTH MELBOURNE.How would you describe your shop?
We’re a walk-in mobile greenhouse and nursery. We sell indoor plants,
accessories and a range of our own products from ‘Fern’, a converted 1968
International Harvester, and ‘Sprout’, an adorable 1950s Wayfarer caravan.
We sell at markets, as well as cafes, bars and anywhere else that’ll have us!Why were you drawn to work with plants?
Dom has always had a passion for plants. His parents were a huge influence,
as they planted incredible gardens on the northern NSW coast – he entered
garden competitions as a teenager and that passion eventually led him to
establish his own business in Melbourne. I came to the gardening world later
in life, after volunteer work allowed me to see a future in gardening and led
me to change careers completely. I think when it comes down to it, being
among plants and nature and soil makes us happy.Did you renovate the truck and van yourselves?
Yup! The truck took us six months to do, working in the evenings and on the
weekends whenever we got a chance. Nearly everything in there is upcycled.
The van took Dom a week and he pretty much did it all himself. The reactions
are great – sometimes we go to a market and no one is interested in the
plants, but everyone wants to talk about the truck or van!Why are plants so important in the world?
Plants make people happy! Apart from the obvious environmental reasons,
plants have been consistently shown to improve health, concentration
and productivity. They can reduce stress levels, purify the air and block
out background noise. There are countless studies touting the benefits of
plants inside the home, but if you need to be convinced, just go into any
plant shop and have a chat to the staff – 90% of them are run by crazy plant
people and their enthusiasm is infectious.If you had to choose a favourite plant, what would it be?
Every time we get asked this I think about all the incredible varieties and
crazy rare plants that are out there, but I always find myself coming back
to the Monstera – just your regular Monstera Deliciosa, no variegations or
anything fancy. It just looks so good and is so satisfying to watch as each
new leaf unfurls.
What’s the one thing you wish everyone knew about house plants?
No one is perfect – you’re going to kill a plant. We’ve all done it, I still do it,
but don’t be afraid to try again. VISIT VARIOUS MELBOURNE LOCATIONS – SEE
@PLANTRUNNERTRUCK FOR DETAILS.”
“
I think when it
comes down to
it, being among
plants and
nature and soil
makes us happy
COUNTER CULTURE
the plant runner