Our Story

Viators Nursery is a small family-run nursery owned by Vito Benforte, built from a lifelong passion for gardening, plants, and bonsai.

Vito’s love of plants started early. At just six years old, he grew his first jacaranda from seed, and from there his interest in gardening only grew. Over the years, he helped his parents maintain their acreage, and today he is responsible for helping care for the 2.5-acre family property, where Viators Nursery continues to develop.

After a 15-year career in banking and some personal challenges, Vito made the decision to swap office life for outdoor life. He enrolled in a Horticulture course through TAFE with the goal of turning his lifelong passion into a lifestyle he loves. Vito now holds a Certificate III in Horticulture and has been slowly building Viators Nursery since 2021.

The nursery currently grows more than 100 species of plants, with a strong focus on healthy, quality trees suited to gardens, collectors, and bonsai enthusiasts. While a wide range of plants are grown and developed on the property, Clivias are one of the nursery’s main plant groups. Over time, Viators Nursery will become increasingly dedicated to growing starter species for bonsai enthusiasts, while Vito continues to build his own bonsai skills and personal collection.

Viators Nursery is proudly family operated, with Vito’s mother and father assisting in the day-to-day running of the nursery. The family has lived in the local area for 46 years, and the nursery reflects the values of care, patience, hard work, and respect for the land.

The nursery has an eclectic and practical character. Old tables are collected, repurposed, and given a second life as plant benches. Pots are reused wherever possible, and only damaged pots are thrown away. Recycling and reducing waste are important parts of how the nursery operates.

Vito has a deep respect for the environment and is focused on minimising the footprint Viators Nursery leaves behind. Plants are sprayed only with organic insecticides and fed with organic fertilisers where practical. While the property is not currently 100% organic, every effort is made to reduce impact on the surrounding flora and fauna.

At Viators Nursery, the aim is simple: to grow healthy, high-quality plants that people can enjoy in their gardens, collections, or at the beginning of their bonsai journey.