Nursery established by Frank Cant in the early 1880s. After learning the trade from his uncle Ben R. Cant, Frank Cant set up his own nursery in Colchester, which led to a feud lasting until 1967, when both nurseries were united under the name of "Cants of Colchester".
[From
The Gardener's Chronicle, 1930, p. 95:] The Sudbury (Suffolk) Gardeners' and Amateurs' Association paid a visit to the new headquarters of Messrs. Frank Cant and Co., Ltd., at Stanway, near Colchester, during July. This business was established by the late Alderman Frank Cant and was formerly centred at Braiswick, on the north-west side of Colchester. The Principals, Captain F.S. Harvey Cant and Mr. C. Harvey Cant, who gave the invitation....
[From
A Rose Odyssey, by Jean Henri Nicolas, 1937, p. 111:]
Frank Cant is probably of the same family, but there seems to be a feud between the two houses. The firm was established in the early eighties. Frank Cant, who died in late 1928...Frank Cant was considered the premier rose grower of England...The traditions of the family are carried on by two sons, Sidney and Captain Harvey Cant.
[From "The Rose" Spring 1994:] Sidney Harvey-Cant's widow Mona Cant married Mr. Blyth, their field manager. Mona Cant retired when the company merged with Benjamin R. Cant & Sons to form Cants of Colchester. Mr. Clive Roberts, who had joined Frank Cant & Sons after the war, remained active in the running of the merged company until 1985, when he retired.
