One of Slough's major claims to horticultural fame lies in the cultivation of 'Mrs Sinkins Pink' (Dianthus Mrs Sinkins) by John Thomas Sinkins. Mr Sinkins was Master of Slough Workhouse and named the flower after his wife.

Pinks (or Dianthus) are not necessarily pink; 'Mrs Sinkins' is a double white variety with strongly fragrant blooms and is still popular today. It was first produced commercially by Charles Turner's Royal Nursery in 1868.

A bloom of 'Mrs Sinkins' was even incorporated into Slough's old coat of arms, as is the Crimson Rambler rose, also introduced by Charles Turner's Royal Nursery. The nursery was situated on the south side of Slough High Street.

Brown's Lily

The earliest recorded nursery in Slough was Brown's Nursery, laid out in 1774 by Thomas Brown and also situated south of the High Street. It was famous for bringing Brown's Lily (Lilium Brownii) from China to England in the 1830s. All Lilium Brownii bulbs sold in Europe today originate from Brown's bulbs.

Sutton's Trial Seed Grounds

The most famous 20th Century nursery in Slough was probably Sutton's, whose 'trial seed grounds' were located north east of Slough Station from 1913 to the early 1960s. They were famous for the Cascade and Charm Chrysanthemums, which won awards in 1932 and 1945.