Tucked into the rolling green hills of Teven in northern New South Wales, Donatos Nursery feels distinctly part of the landscape. The approach sets the tone: a long, tree-lined driveway with a cool, rainforest-like canopy. At the end, you emerge onto a broad plateau where orderly rows of advanced stock stretch across the site. Mature hedges frame the growing pads, protecting the plants from the wind and keeping the nursery still, ordered and productive.
Donatos Nursery is a respected wholesale grower supplying advanced Magnolias alongside Elaeocarpus eumundii, Ficus, lilly pilly, Trachycarpus and more. These are premium, landscape ready plants supplied to landscapers, councils, and retailers across northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland. For the last 4 years, Rocky Point has been proud to supply Donatos with premium custom potting mixes, supporting their growth, consistency, and reputation for quality.
Founded by the late Robert Donato, a passionate grower best known for his much-admired (Magnolia grandiflora) ‘Teddy Bear’s, the nursery has always been about advanced plants. Robert built his business on dedication, care and a deep understanding of plants. After his passing in 2021, his nephew Nick Bucknole took over the business, and industry colleagues consistently commend how capably he has carried the legacy forward. With steady leadership, clear standards and results that speak for themselves, Nick’s success appears to be driven by his quiet determination and steady, easygoing nature.
Since taking the reins, Nick has carried forward Robert’s vision of producing strong, healthy plants that thrive once they reach the landscapes of homes and public spaces. During a recent visit to the nursery with Rocky Point’s growing media technologist, Mark Rayner, the quality of the plants didn’t disappoint. Every row told the same story: lush, healthy growth and meticulous presentation; the standard was consistently high!
What’s most impressive is how this diverse plant mix is managed in one nursery, especially at a wholesale scale. Each species asks for something different in terms of water, light and nutrition, and the team meets those needs. Elaeocarpus and Ficus flourish in warmth and humidity, while Magnolias generally prefer a slightly cooler, more temperate balance throughout the year. Balancing those microclimates takes careful placement of species across the site, thoughtful use of shade and wind protection, and tailored irrigation scheduling to suit each plant’s growing stage. To still present uniform, landscape-ready quality across thousands of plants takes real horticultural skill and experience.
All Donatos plants are grown in a custom Rocky Point premium mix, formulated to provide consistent moisture, excellent drainage, and a balanced nutrient profile. On average, Donatos places fresh orders every two weeks to keep up with demand. Recently, Nick has taken an innovative step by incorporating RP HydroGro Wood Fibre into the blend, reducing the amount of coir used. This sustainable substitution helps manage costs while achieving equal, if not better, results. The HydroGro fibre enhances drainage and aeration, helping roots stay healthy even through hot, humid growing conditions.
Sustainability is an increasingly important focus for modern nurseries, and Nick’s adoption of RP HydroGro shows how small changes can create meaningful impact. Using Australian-grown, thermally refined pine fibre helps reduce reliance on imported coir, supports local production, and offers a renewable, consistent alternative.
Just before our visit, Nick mentioned that Donatos had shipped 30 pallets of stock to Bunnings stores across northern New South Wales and the Gold Coast. That level of supply demonstrates the scale and professionalism of the operation, as well as the trust major retailers place in Donatos’ plants.
When customers buy one of these trees or shrubs, they’re not just taking home a beautiful plant, they are taking home years of skilled growing and care. To help them thrive, Rocky Point’s growing media technologist Mark Rayner offers a simple piece of advice: “Don’t spend all that money on an established plant and put it in a poor mix.” Choosing a premium potting mix at home mirrors the conditions these plants were raised in and helps them establish quickly.
For Rocky Point, partnerships like the one we have with Donatos are the heart of what Supplying Success is all about: working alongside passionate, skilled growers to deliver premium plants that perform from the ground up.
