We recently took a behind-the-scenes look by visiting some of our trusted plant vendors and seeing firsthand where & how our plants are grown. From touring their greenhouses to exploring new varieties and seasonal favorites, these visits give us the opportunity to find the best plants and to ensure top quality before bringing them back to our stores. Come along with us as we take you behind the blooms and share a closer look at where our plants begin!
Esbenshade’s Garden Center & Greenhouse
Located in Lititz, Pennsylvania, Espenshade’s Garden Center & Greenhouse is one of our valued local plant vendors. We source a variety of seasonal favorites from their greenhouses throughout the year, including our spring hanging baskets, fall mums, winter poinsettias, and other plant varieties. Working with a local Pennsylvania grower allows us to bring fresh, high-quality plants to our stores while supporting a fellow local business.
Frysville Farms
Located in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, Frysville Farms is one of our valued local plant vendors. We source a variety of seasonal plants from their farm, including fall foliage and seasonal planters. During our visit, we had the opportunity to tour their facilities, see what they are growing, and check out some of the plants that will be available for the upcoming fall season. We’re proud to work with local Pennsylvania growers like Frysville Farms!
The Plant Company
Located in Stuarts Draft, Virginia, The Plant Company is one of our larger plant vendors, and we make the trip to Virginia to visit their facility in person. We source a variety of indoor plants from their facility, including the plants used in our dish gardens and a wide selection of houseplants. With such a large growing operation, visiting in person gives us the opportunity to walk through their facility, explore their extensive selection, and choose plants that we know our customers will love. It’s a trip worth making to find the right plants and bring fresh, unique varieties back to our stores.
Why Do We Do This? Why Is It Important?
Visiting our plant vendors is an important part of making sure we bring the best plants to our customers. Throughout the year, we make periodic trips to our growers to see their facilities firsthand, check the quality and size of their plants, and learn more about how they are grown and cared for. We take the time to walk through the greenhouses, inspect different varieties, and see how the plants are being maintained from the time they are started to when they are ready to ship to our stores/when we pick them up.
These visits also give us the opportunity to build strong relationships with the growers we work with and plan ahead for upcoming seasons. We can see what varieties they have available, discuss what we are looking for, and make selections based on what we think our customers will enjoy. Most importantly, we want to know exactly where our plants are coming from and feel confident in the quality we are bringing into our stores.
We don’t simply place an order and wait for the plants to arrive. We make the effort to visit, ask questions, inspect the growing conditions, and check everything for ourselves. By staying involved throughout the growing process, we can help ensure that the plants our customers take home are healthy, high-quality, and up to our standards.
More Than Just a Visit
From local Pennsylvania growers to our partners in Virginia, visiting our plant vendors gives us a firsthand look at where our plants begin. We’re able to see how they are grown, check the quality and size of each variety, and work closely with the growers to select plants that meet our standards.
These visits are just one of the ways we stay involved in the process from grower to store. We take pride in knowing where our plants come from and in building relationships with the people who grow them. Whether it’s a spring hanging basket, a fall planter, a winter poinsettia, or a new houseplant, our goal is always the same: to bring our customers healthy, beautiful, high-quality plants they can enjoy in their homes and gardens.
We’re proud to work with talented growers and local businesses who share our commitment to quality, and we look forward to continuing to visit, explore, and find new plants to bring to our stores.
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