• • 1835: The family business started in Kyoto when Omoriya Jiemon (the first generation of Jisaburō Takii) began selling high-quality seeds.
  • 1851: Takii shifted from merely selling to fully developing, producing, and distributing seeds.
  • 1905: The business adapted to the times by issuing its first mail-order catalog.
  • 1920 & 1926: The business was formally established as a corporate entity and eventually renamed Takii Seed Co., Ltd. 

• • 1937: Takii expanded its reach and initiated its international export business.
  • 1950s: The company achieved a major agricultural milestone by introducing the world’s first Brassica F1 hybrid varieties, which revolutionized crop yields and uniformity.
  • Modern Breeding: Takii became synonymous with advancements in tomato, onion, sunflower, and lisianthus breeding, consistently developing disease-resistant, high-yielding varieties using advanced genomic technology. 

• • 1982: Established American Takii, Inc. in Salinas, California, to supply the North American market.
  • 1990: Established Takii Europe B.V. in the Netherlands to supply the European, Middle Eastern, and African markets.
  • 2007: Takii Europe (a subsidiary of the Japanese seed breeder Takii & Co.) officially purchased the Dutch flower breeding company K. Sahin Zaden B.V. in September 2007
  • Expansion in the 1990s and 2000s: Continued setting up operations in rapidly growing agricultural regions, including Brazil, China, and Southeast Asia. 

• • Focus: EBA was established to develop and distribute premium, seed-raised bedding plants (such as begonias, pansies, and petunias) specifically tailored to North American climates and commercial growers.
  • Innovations: The American office helped launch highly successful and iconic lines like  Big Begonia, Success Petunia, and the Denver Daisy (bred for Denver, Colorado’s 150th anniversary).
  • Modern Operations: In 2017, the company expanded its presence by launching Benary+, a North American joint venture aimed at offering a more direct purchasing and fulfillment model for commercial growers. 

• • 1863: Founded as a dyestuffs business in Barmen, Germany, by Friedrich Bayer and Johann Weskott.
  • 1899: Launched Aspirin, revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry and putting Bayer on the global map.
    
  • 2002: Bayer launched an independent Crop Science subgroup to focus on agriculture and environmental solutions.

• • 1994: Seminis was founded by Alfonso Romo (Savia Group) to consolidate the highly fragmented vegetable seed industry. It absorbed legacy seed companies like Asgrow, Petoseed, and Royal Sluis.
  • 2005: Monsanto acquired Seminis, significantly expanding its footprint in the global vegetable seed market.
  • 2018: Bayer acquired Monsanto. With this monumental buyout, Monsanto and all of its seed brands—including Seminis—became a part of Bayer’s massive Crop Science division. 

• Seed Heritage: Sluis en Groot began actively breeding flowers in 1956. Over the following decades, they pioneered highly successful varieties like the Sprinter geranium and Rosamunde cyclamen.
• Formation of Syngenta: In 2000, the agribusiness divisions of Novartis and AstraZeneca merged to officially establish Syngenta.
• Industry Expansion: Syngenta expanded its floral footprint by acquiring key industry players, including Goldsmith Seeds and Fischer in 2007–2008.
• Global Prominence: Today, Syngenta Flowers operates worldwide—with production hubs like the Alva, Florida facility—and is renowned for introducing signature varieties such as the Calliope interspecific geranium (including one variety as an AAS Winner), Sunfinity sunflower, and Imara impatiens. 

• • Origins: In 1900, Charles Heath, after visiting Virginia’s Middle Peninsula, recognized the area’s potential for growing daffodils, which were often called the “poor man’s rose” during the Depression.
  • The Daffodil Mart: The operation grew into one of the largest daffodil producers in the country, with Brent’s parents later establishing a retail mail-order company known as the “Daffodil Mart,” which offered 1,500 varieties.
  • Generational Transition: Although Brent grew up in the business, he briefly left to run a summer camp before returning to buy the company from his mother in 1972. 

• • Partnership: In 1979, Brent married Becky, who brought vital business expertise to the partnership, allowing Brent to focus on being a passionate “bulb guy” and plantsman.
  • Transformation: They transformed the business from the traditional “Daffodil Mart” to “Brent & Becky’s,” expanding their offerings to include a wide range of bulbs, tropicals, and perennials.
  • Growth: The business grew from a small operation to a 28-acre “Mom and Pop” farm, with a strong focus on education, sustainable, chemical-free practices, and customer care. 

• • The Bulb Shoppe & Gardens: Located in Gloucester, Virginia, the site includes 8 acres of Chesapeake Bay-friendly display gardens, a retail shop, and shipping facilities.
  • Fourth Generation: The legacy continues with their son Jay and his wife Denise, who have expanded the company’s reach through technology, social media, and online educational resources.
    

• • 1905: J.V. Bailey founded the company on “rocky bedrock” in St. Paul, initially growing vegetables and fruit for the local city market.
  • Expansion: Despite challenging soil, the nursery grew, and by 1911, it diversified into selling ornamental shrubs and evergreens, establishing its first catalogue.
  • Growth: By 1933, the holdings had expanded to over 300 acres. 

• • 1956: Gordon and Vincent Bailey (J.V.’s sons) closed the retail operation to focus exclusively on wholesale distribution.
  • Oregon Branch: In the 1970s, the company expanded geographically, purchasing 360 acres in Oregon to utilize a longer growing season for warmer-climate plants.
  • Container Production: In 1989, Bailey Nurseries began producing container-grown trees, meeting a growing market demand. 

• • Rose Breeding: In 1991, the company launched its proprietary rose breeding program at its Yamhill, Oregon site.
  • Brand Development: Bailey became more than a grower, moving into plant marketing with major successes like the Endless Summer Hydrangea series.
  • Leadership: Terri McEnaney, J.V. Bailey’s great-granddaughter, took over as president in 2001, guiding the company through its fifth generation.
  • Global Presence: Today, the company produces millions of plants, providing high-quality horticultural products to retailers, growers, and landscapers worldwide. 

• • 1905: Foundations: George J. Ball founded the company in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, specializing in improved sweet peas, asters, and calendulas for the Chicago cut-flower market.
  • 1918: The company began selling mail-order seeds to growers nationwide.
  • 1927: Headquarters moved to West Chicago, which remains their main hub.
  • 1932: The first “Ball RedBook” was published, becoming the essential guide for the greenhouse industry.
  • 1949: Following the death of George J. Ball, his sons took over management.
  • 1962: Acquired PanAmerican Seed Company, expanding their seed breeding and introducing major cut-flower products.
  • 1970s: Under G. Carl Ball, the company expanded globally to 18 specialized breeding and distribution firms.
  • 1990s: The development of Ball FloraPlant accelerated the vegetative (cutting) market, and in 1995, Anna Caroline Ball (third generation) became president.
  • 2001: Acquired the English consortium Colegrave Group.
  • 2015: Acquired Star Roses and Plants. 

• • The “RedBook”: First published in 1932, this is the definitive technical guide for professional greenhouse growers.
  • Breeding Leadership: Ball is recognized for producing “unavoidably attractive” plants, including the widely popular Wave® petunia series, which revolutionized the home garden market.
  • Sustainability & Global Reach: Today, with leadership in its third and fourth generations, Ball operates on six continents, focusing on sustainable breeding for better home and commercial gardening. 

• • The Founder’s Passion: J.W. Jung learned to save seeds on his family’s farm in the late 1800s, learning from his mother that the best fruit produced the best seeds.
  • 1907 Foundation: Following experience working for another seed company, J.W. Jung established his own business at his parents’ farmhouse in 1907.
  • Early Success: By 1909, he purchased a printing press and began printing 10,000 catalogs annually, promoting them in farm magazines.
  • Expansion: In 1913, the business moved to downtown Randolph to be near the railroad and post office. 

• • The Depression Era: Despite economic hardships, the company survived by diversifying, mailing 280,000 catalogs by 1935.
  • Family Business: J.W. Jung’s brothers and later his children joined the business, which specialized in farm and garden seeds.
  • 100-Year Milestone: J.W. Jung stayed active in the business until 1981 and passed away in 1988 at age 100, having kept the company in family hands. 

• Restructuring: In 1997, the company split. The mail-order garden seed business was run by the Zondag family (J.W. Jung’s daughter’s family), while the farm seed division became “Jung Seed Genetics,” which was later sold to Monsanto.
• Garden Centers: The company now operates five retail garden centers across Wisconsin.
• Catalog & Online Presence: Today, the company prints millions of catalogs for brands like Totally Tomatoes, Vermont Bean Seed Company, and Edmunds Roses, while maintaining a strong online presence.
• Legacy: As of 2026, the company continues to operate under the Zondag family (3rd and 4th generation) and is known for its “Safe Seed Pledge” (non-GMO). 

• Origins: The company’s agricultural roots trace back to 1909 when Victor H. Dunton established a multi-generational family farm in Oregon.
• Founding: Inspired by genealogy, history, and the wartime “Victory Gardens” of the 20th century, Mike and Denise Dunton officially established the Victory Seed Company on the family farm in 1998.
• Mission: The Duntons founded the company to combat the loss of agricultural biodiversity driven by industry consolidation, the rise of GMOs, and the disappearance of unstable, open-pollinated plant varieties.
• Ownership Change: In June 2022, ownership of the company was transferred to the Whitinger family. While the Whitingers are based in Texas, the company continues its independent, mission-driven work.
• Offerings: Today, it supplies gardeners with rare family heirlooms, specialty vegetables (like dwarf tomatoes), and select non-GMO hybrids. 

• • 1912: Schipper & Company was founded in the Netherlands by Cornelis Schipper.
  • Post-WWII: Cornelis brought the company to the US, initially delivering bulbs directly to customers from his coupe.
  • Evolution: The firm established itself as a reliable, high-quality supplier, and today remains family-owned, serving some of the same clients from decades ago. 

• • 1984/1986: Tim Schipper, a third-generation merchant, formally established the modern, mail-order focus of Colorblends to sell directly to gardeners.
  • Specialty: The company pioneered curated “blends”—carefully choreographed mixes of tulips, daffodils, and other bulbs that create a tapestry effect, rather than a single-color block.
  • Innovation: In 2010, the company celebrated the introduction of its 200th original tulip blend, cementing its reputation as an innovator in garden design. 

• • Bridgeport Headquarters: Based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the company operates out of a historic 1879 factory building.
  • Colorblends House & Spring Garden: Colorblends owns a 1903 Colonial Revival house and garden on Clinton Avenue in Bridgeport, designed by Dutch designer Jacqueline van der Kloet to showcase their bulbs in the spring.
  • Distribution: They supply landscaping professionals and home gardeners nationwide, transitioning from mail-order roots (starting in 1986) to online and telephone orders. 

• • 1913: Takeo Sakata founded Sakata Noen in Yokohama, Japan, initially focusing on exporting lily bulbs and seeds to the West.
  • 1921: Established the first private germination laboratory in Japan.
  • 1930: Opened the Chigasaki Breeding Station, signaling a shift toward specialized research and development.
  • 1934: Created the world’s first all-double petunia, “Victorious Mix,” winning an All-America Selections award, which established Sakata’s reputation in flower breeding. 

• • 1951: Opened the Sakata Garden Center in Yokohama.
  • 1966: Released the world’s first commercial hybrid pansy, “Majestic Giants,” another breakthrough that earned top industry awards.
  • 1977: Established Sakata Seed America in California to serve the North American market.
  • 1985: Opened the Salinas Research Station in California, strengthening its vegetable breeding, especially for crops like broccoli. 

• • 1990s: Expanded into new markets, including Mexico and South America. In 1999, acquired MayFord Seeds in South Africa.
  • 2006: Launched SunPatiens®, a popular, innovative, and robust new hybrid series.
  • 2013: Celebrated 100 years of operation, reinforcing a focus on global R&D to address climate change and sustainable agriculture. 

• • 1918: Livingston and Bonnie Paulk start the business in Alabama, selling cabbage plants from a buggy.
  • Early 1920s: The company expands its product line to include onions, strawberries, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
  • 1936: The first of many greenhouses is built.
  • Mid-1900s: Introduction of the first delivery trucks and the transition from selling bare-root plants to potted plants.
  • 1983–1995: Distribution expands from 13 states to nationwide coverage (except Alaska and Hawaii).
  • 2016: The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and Alabama Farmers Cooperative enter a partnership, jointly acquiring Bonnie Plants.
  • 2021: The Bonnie Plants Foundation is established to give back to communities. 

• • Founding: Founded in March 1918 by Jan Singer, the company originally started in vegetable seeds before shifting focus to flower seeds.
    

• • Founding: As consumer demand shifted toward buying pre-grown plants at supermarkets and garden centers rather than seeds, the company wanted to expand its reach into the professional greenhouse market. To achieve this, Hem Zaden established its sister company, Hem Genetics, in April 1998.
  • Genetic Dwarfs: Hem Genetics entered a crowded market by carving out a niche in natural “genetical compact” dwarf varieties of bedding plants. This breakthrough eliminated—or greatly reduced—the need for professional growers to use synthetic plant growth regulators (PGRs).
  • Success: Their “Low Grow Approved” product lines—such as Petunia series Limbo and Mambo, Geranium Nano, and Salvia Reddy—have won many All America Selections awards. 

• • Founder: Earl E. May, a lawyer and seed salesman, married Gertrude Welch, daughter of E.S. Welch, owner of the established Mount Arbor Nurseries in Shenandoah, Iowa.
  • Establishment: In 1919, Earl founded his own company, focusing on seeds and nursery stock, initially selling items like baby chickens, clothing, and tires via mail order.
  • The Radio Catalyst: To boost sales, May built radio station KMA in 1925, using it for daily weather, farm reports, and promotions, becoming a trusted name throughout the Midwest. 

• • Retail Shift: During the 1930s, the company expanded beyond mail orders and opened its first physical retail locations, including a store in Lincoln, Nebraska.
  • Family Legacy: Following Earl May’s death in 1946, the company continued to be managed by his family, including his brother Ed May and later his granddaughter, Betty Jane Shaw.
  • Modern Era: The company ceased its mail-order catalog in 1991 to focus entirely on its retail nursery and garden center stores.
  • Today: Still family-owned, the company operates in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas, focusing on plants, garden accessories, and expert advice. 

• • 1919 Founding: P.L. Rohrer, previously of Glick’s Seed Farms, began the company and released its first mail-order catalog.
  • 1923 Expansion: The company purchased its enduring headquarters and retail location in Smoketown, PA, along Route 340, expanding to include truck deliveries and a physical store.
  • Growth and Transition: Initially focused on farm seeds, the business grew through the Great Depression and World Wars, with P.L.’s son, Willis, eventually taking over and involving the next generation.
  • 4th Generation Leadership: Today, the company is led by President Doug Rohrer, P.L.’s great-grandson, who joined the company in 1995.
  • 100-Year Anniversary: In 2019, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of operation under the same family. 

• Shift in Focus: Originally focused on agricultural products (90%), the company pivoted to roughly 90% lawn and garden products due to changing market conditions.
• Operations: They sell to homeowners, farmers, and landscapers, supplying over 600 stores.
• Legacy Practices: The company still produces an annual catalog, a tradition continued since 1919.
• Quality Control: They maintain on-site trial gardens to test seed varieties for taste and appearance.
• “The Machine”: The firm still utilizes an antique 1880s-designed Ballard seed packing machine to fill paper seed packets. 

• • Early 1900s: T.A. Willhite began growing melons near Poolville, TX, gaining recognition after the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
  • Founding: Following the 1904 success, friends encouraged him to sell seeds, starting with 77 pounds in the first year, and he originally established the business at his home before moving into a former bank building.
  • Expansion & Management: In the 1940s, his daughter, Miss Clara Lee Willhite, took over, expanding the company’s reputation and reach nationwide and worldwide until her death in the 1960s.
  • Evolution: In 1970, Dr. Lee Coffey took over, expanding the product line to include a wider range of garden vegetables and introducing a hybrid breeding program, changing the name to Willhite Seed Company.
  • Incorporation: On September 1, 1994, it officially became Willhite Seed Inc. but maintained its status as a family-owned business.
  • Modern Era: The company continues under the leadership of Dr. Coffey’s daughter, Robyn. It is known for its annual catalogs and as a staple supplier for southern, heat-tolerant, and heirloom vegetable varieties. The company focuses heavily on traditional and heirloom seeds, with a firm commitment to selling only Non-GMO seeds.

• • 1920: Founded by James H. Burdett, a journalist and seed company advertising manager who recognized the need to use media to teach home gardening.
  • 1940s: Played a key role in WWII by promoting Victory Gardens to encourage home food production.
  • 1980: Launched the “Year of the“ program, identifying specific, tested plant varieties to promote to home gardeners.
  • 1986: Helped establish National Garden Week, signed by President Reagan.
  • 2014: Initiated a philanthropic program to provide grants for building therapeutic gardens across North America.
  • 2020: Celebrated 100 years of promoting gardening, which included launching a “Future of Gardening” survey to adapt to new, younger consumers.
  • 2024: Merged with All-America Selections (AAS) (a plant trial program) to create a single, more efficient organization for vetting and promoting garden materials. 

• Education and Promotion: As the marketing arm of the gardening industry, NGB distributes informative, tested content from horticultural experts.
• Therapeutic Gardens: The Bureau actively supports the creation of gardens for therapy through annual grants.
• New Varieties: NGB highlights new plant introductions, including flowers, vegetables, and shrubs, that are well-suited for home gardens. 

• The Early Years (1924–1963): Mr. Rijk Zwaan started his namesake company selling seeds in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in 1924. In 1932, the company began its own targeted breeding and production. For the first forty years, their focus was strictly on the Dutch horticultural market.
• International Expansion (1964–1985): Rijk Zwaan opened its first international subsidiary in Germany in 1964. Expansion into France (1982) and Spain followed. During this time, they also pioneered breeding and developing seeds for indoor, greenhouse, and open-field cultivation.
• Corporate Ownership and the Management Buyout (1986–1989): With no Zwaan family successor in place, the company was sold to BP Nutrition in 1986. However, in 1989, the management team, backed by three families, orchestrated a successful buyout to return Rijk Zwaan to an independent, family-owned business.
• Global Reach (1990s–Present): Moving beyond Europe, Rijk Zwaan expanded globally into markets like the US (incorporated in 2000), Australia, and India. They are now active in over 100 countries.
• Continuous Innovation: In recent decades, Rijk Zwaan has leveraged modern technologies like artificial intelligence and digital phenotyping to accelerate breeding. They have also expanded their breeding focus into tropical crops, berries, and regional African and Asian varieties. 

• • 1926: Harry Rosedale Sr. establishes the nursery, focused on improving plant quality for home gardeners.
  • 1930s-1940s: Rosedale pioneers growing plants in containers rather than in the ground, allowing for less shipping stress and year-round planting.
  • 1941: Monrovia becomes one of the first nurseries to trademark a plant (Rosedale Pyracantha). 

• • 1950s: The company introduces a dedicated research department for developing specialized soil mixes.
  • 1953/1956: Due to rapid growth, the nursery relocates its main growing grounds from Monrovia to a larger site in Azusa, CA.
  • 1950s: Monrovia begins shipping container plants nationwide.
  • 1970s: The nursery becomes an industry leader in sustainability by pioneering the recycling of irrigation runoff. 

• • 1980s: Introduces the “Plant Finder” tool to assist consumers.
  • 1984: Expands operations with a new facility in the Willamette Valley near Portland, Oregon, for cold-hardy plants.
  • 2000s: Continues to grow, developing multiple locations in regions like Visalia, CA, and Georgia.
  • Today: Monrovia operates multiple, nationwide, eco-conscious nurseries, and in 2026, celebrates 100 years of operation. 

• • 1929: Established as Western Peat Company Ltd. in Vancouver.
  • 1940s–1960s: Expanded production facilities across Canada, including Manitoba and New Brunswick.
  • 1980: Sold to Fisons PLC and renamed Fisons Western Peat Moss Ltd..
  • 1993: Acquired by Macluan Capital Inc. and rebranded as Sun Gro Horticulture Inc..
  • 2004: Acquired Lameque Quality Group and the Professional Growing Media business from The Scotts Company.
  • 2010s-Present: Reorganized as a corporation and heavily emphasized sustainable peatland management, achieving Veriflora® certification for Canadian production facilities. 

• • 1932: Company founded.
  • 1950: Commenced cut flower production for the local market.
  • 1964: Initiated breeding activities.
  • 1972: Expanded internationally with the first operation in Italy.
  • 1986: Established a production company in Tenerife.
  • 1999: Established a production company in Kenya.
  • 2000s–Present: Expanded global distribution to include the USA (2003), Colombia (2008), and Japan (2011).
  • 2021: Per Klemm became the sole shareholder following the retirement of his twin brother, Nils Klemm.
  • 2025: Acquired Wagagai Ltd in Uganda, a major production facility. 

• • Leadership: Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, the company is led by the third generation of the Klemm family.
  • Breeding & Production: Selecta focuses on breeding bedding and balcony plants, poinsettias, perennials, and cut flowers, with eleven production sites and distribution companies in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America.
  • Partnerships: In 2009, Selecta partnered with Ball Horticultural for North American distribution. 

• • Founder: W. Ray Hastings, then-president of the Southern Seedsmen’s Association, proposed the idea in 1932 to inform home gardeners about improved, reliable varieties.
  • Goal: To establish an impartial, rigorous, and nationwide trial system to test new, unsold cultivars before they hit the market.
  • Model: The organization was formed to replace misleading or insufficient information previously available to consumers and to assist with the growing “garden club” movement. 

• • Independent Testing: AAS relies on a network of volunteer judges (professional horticulturists) located in geographically diverse areas across the USA and Canada.
  • Evaluation: Entries are grown side-by-side with comparison varieties to determine if the new variety is truly superior in performance, such as yield, disease resistance, or flower production.
  • Winner Designation: Top performers receive the AAS Winner designation, which informs consumers of a “proven” garden choice.
  • Gold Medal Awards: Reserved for significant, rare breeding breakthroughs. 

• • 1933: The first AAS Winners were announced.
  • 1934: A record 30 award-winning varieties were introduced, the highest number in a single year.
  • 1984: The AAS Board of Directors simplified the award system to the current format, focusing on top-performing winners.
  • Legacy: Many historic, award-winning varieties from the 1930s to the 1950s (such as Scarlet Gleam Nasturtium or Pink Queen Cleome) are still available today. 

• • “Tested Nationally & Proven Locally™”: This tagline defines the current mission, ensuring plants thrive in local climates.
  • AAS Display Gardens: A network of nearly 200 public gardens, including universities and arboretums, showcasing current winners to the public.
  • Expanding Categories: While starting with vegetables and flowers, the trials now include herbaceous perennials, shrub-like perennials, and plants suitable for containers. 

• • 1937: Independent Illinois hybrid seed corn producers formed the company to centralize seedstock distribution.
  • 1942: A partnership with the University of Illinois was established, giving IFSI early access to new inbred lines and strengthening its research capabilities.
  • 1945: The company transitioned its focus to contract seedstock production to meet the rising demand for hybrid corn.
  • 1961: IFSI launched “Illini Chief,” the first widely recognized supersweet corn hybrid, developed from research by Dr. John R. Laughnan.
  • 1960s-Present: Expanded into vegetable seeds, launching a sweet corn program that now serves customers in over 60 countries.
  • 2021: Acquired D&D Seed Co. to add beet and Swiss chard to its vegetable seed portfolio.
  • 2025: Acquired by the EW Group GmbH. 

• 1938: The company was founded by Jacob Mazereeuw as De Enkhuizer Zaadwinkel, a small seed shop in the Netherlands.
• 1944: Following World War II, the company pivoted to professional vegetable growers and changed its name to De Enkhuizer Zaadhandel.
• 1962: Piet Mazereeuw (Jacob’s son) introduced the Extase tomato, a massive commercial breakthrough that allowed the company to fund large-scale breeding programs.
• 1985–Present: Enza Zaden expanded globally, establishing research and sales hubs across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, while remaining family-owned. 

• 1994: Vitalis was established in the Netherlands by Dutch breeder Jan Velema with a vision to create high-quality vegetable seeds strictly for professional organic agriculture.
• 1998: Recognizing a shared vision, Enza Zaden acquired a majority stake in Vitalis. This allowed Vitalis to scale its operations while retaining its organic focus.
• Present Day: Vitalis is now 100% owned by Enza Zaden and operates as its organic division. It is one of the largest organic vegetable seed producers in Europe, utilizing Enza Zaden’s extensive research capabilities to create disease-resistant, resilient organic varieties. 

• • 1939: Arthur Vesey starts the business, originally selling vegetables to local Charlottetown grocery stores.
  • 1948: The company relocates to its present 40-acre site in York, PEI.
  • 1956: Current president Bev Simpson joins the company at age 17, eventually purchasing it.
  • 1996: Veseys becomes an early adopter of technology, launching an online store to complement its catalog.
  • Present Day: Veseys remains a family-owned business, offering a vast range of seeds, tools, and bulbs, with a strong focus on sustainable packaging, including biodegradable poly bags for seeds. 

• • The 1940s–1950s: Roy Olson started growing tomato plants in hotbeds, later transitioning to using converted chicken coops for greenhouses.
  • 1963–1970s: Roy’s son, Jack, built new, larger greenhouses to grow tomatoes year-round, later shifting the focus entirely to bedding plants and Poinsettias by 1977.
  • 1980s Expansion: Jack and his sons (Brad, Bart, and Don) expanded to supply large regional garden centers and retail chains like Kmart.
  • 1987 Division: The business was split into wholesale (Olson’s Greenhouse Gardens, led by Jack and Bart) and retail (Olson’s Garden Shoppe, led by Brad).
  • 1990s-Present: Under fourth-generation owner Bart Olson and his wife Yvonne, the company expanded heavily, moving its main operation to a 68-acre facility in Salem, Utah, and expanding into Idaho and Colorado. 

• • Origins (1942–1950s): Founded by Chris and Effie Boven Wenke, the business started on what is now their retail site on Sprinkle Road in Kalamazoo, initially focusing on growing tomatoes and other crops.
  • Generational Growth: The business transitioned from the founders to the second generation and eventually to the third generation, with Lisa Wenke Ambrosio currently serving as president.
  • Wholesale Expansion (1986): The company expanded significantly by acquiring Sunbelt Greenhouses in 1986, growing their capacity to service large-scale wholesale customers.
  • Modern Expansion (2014): In 2014, Wenke Greenhouses acquired the former Elzinga & Hoeksema “New Millennium” facility in Western Michigan to expand their production capabilities.
  • Community Tradition: For many years, the company has maintained the tradition of giving a free tray of flowers to children, a practice started by Effie Boven. 
  • Sustainability & Operations: While focusing on traditional growing, they incorporated the modern “New Millennium” greenhouse into their operations, which features geothermal and solar technology. 

• • The Founders: Claude Hope, Charlie Weddle, and Bob Holley formed the company to pioneer new breeding techniques, specifically targeting superior hybrid flower varieties.
  • Early Focus: Initial products focused on double petunias, begonias, and snapdragons.
  • Key Development: In the 1950s, the company shifted toward hybrid breeding, and Claude Hope established a crucial production facility in Costa Rica. 

• • Ball Merger: In 1962, PanAmerican Seed was acquired by the Ball Horticultural Company, a partnership that allowed for major expansion.
  • Super Elfin Impatiens: The introduction of Elfin Impatiens in 1969, followed by the improved Super Elfin® series in 1980, revolutionized the bedding plant industry.
  • Facility Growth: The 1970s and 1980s saw the opening of their Elburn, Illinois, facility. 

• • Iconic Introductions: The 1990s brought breakthrough products such as Wave® Petunias (the first of which was an AAS Winner) and Dragon Wing® Begonias.
  • Diversification: The company expanded into perennials by acquiring Kieft Seed™ in 2009 and added the HandPicked Vegetables® collection in 2015.
  • Disease Resistance: In 2019, Beacon® Impatiens were introduced, offering resistance to Impatiens downy mildew. 

• • Founding: In 1942, Dennis Walters began working for Dena Knoll, who ran a small perennial business with her daughter, Harriet. Dennis and Harriet married, taking over the operation in 1946 as Knoll and Walters Perennials, eventually rebranding as Walters Gardens.
  • Expansion: Dennis was a visionary who built custom greenhouses and was among the first in the industry to use a color catalog to market plants.
  • Innovation: In the mid-1970s, the company built one of the industry’s first tissue culture labs to ensure clean, high-quality plant production. 

• • Specialization: The company grew to specialize in bare root, potted, and tray liners (young plants) for retailers and wholesalers.
  • Proven Winners: In 2011, Walters Gardens became the exclusive perennial licensee for Proven Winners, aligning with a major brand to distribute new genetics.
  • Modern Operations: Still family-owned and operated in Zeeland, the company is managed by the second and third generations and specializes in plant breeding and sustainable growing practices.
  • Recognition: In 2008, the company was named Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year. 

• • Establishment (1948): Founded as a regional supplier of garden pea seeds, serving Northern Idaho, the Pacific Northwest, and Canada.
  • Expansion: Moved operations to the Columbia Basin in Warden, Washington, to utilize its premier seed-producing environment.
  • Expansion (Olathe, CO): Purchased a seed operation in Olathe, Colorado, to broaden production capabilities.
  • Acquisition (2019): Ethan and Torey Rosen took ownership
  • 75th Anniversary (2023-2024): Celebrated 75 years in the seed industry.
  • Partnership (2026): Collaborating with Proven Winners to supply vegetable and herb varieties for their Proven Harvest line. 

• • Founding (1949): Fred Edmunds Jr. established the nursery, specializing in exhibition-quality roses.
  • Family Legacy: Phil Edmunds grew up in the business and later took ownership in 1992, managing it with his wife, Kathy.
  • Specialization: The company became renowned for supplying exhibition-type roses, particularly hybrid teas with elegant, long-stemmed flowers, as well as grandifloras and floribundas.
  • Transition (2005): The nursery was sold to the Jung Seed Company of Wisconsin.

• • Edmunds’ Roses is known for providing high-quality bareroot roses to gardeners across the U.S..
  • Many of their products are grafted onto Dr. Huey rootstock.
  • The company is often cited as a leading source for popular, fragrant varieties like ‘Delish’ and other disease-resistant types. 

• • 1951: Govert Beekenkamp starts a small-scale vegetable plant nursery.
  • 1980s-90s: Expansion through acquisitions (Lyraflor, Leen de Mos Tropica, Fred Blokker) and the launch of Beekenkamp Verpakkingen (packaging) in 1982.
  • 1995-2005: International production sites established in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
  • 1998: Collaboration with Hoek Breeding leads to the creation of Deliflor Chrysanten, now a world leader in chrysanthemum breeding.
  • 2000: Ownership transfers to the second generation, daughters An and Margriet Beekenkamp. 

• • Structure: Comprised of Beekenkamp Plants (Vegetables & Ornamentals), Beekenkamp Verpakkingen, and Deliflor.
  • Scale: Over 95 hectares of greenhouses producing >2 billion young plants annually.
  • Global Presence: Active in over 45 countries with locations across Europe, Africa, North/South America, and Asia. 

• • Establishment (1953): Ernest and Zehava Danziger founded the company in Israel, initially growing traditional crops like corn and strawberries before shifting to flowers.
  • The “Step Ahead” Motto: By planting corn earlier than recommended, the founders adopted a strategy of innovation, leading to their reputation for being “one step ahead.”
  • Flower Export (1960s): Encouraged by Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture, they began exporting Gladiolus and, in 1965, shipped their first chrysanthemum cuttings to Holland.

• • Greenhouse Pioneering: Danziger was among the first in Israel to use advanced greenhouses for production.
  • Tissue Culture: In the 1970s, they became early adopters of tissue culture technology to produce clean, high-quality plant materials.
  • Breeding Efforts: By the late 1980s, the company started actively breeding its own varieties, focusing on Asters, New Guinea impatiens, and cut gypsophila.
  • Breakthrough (1990s): The launch of Million Stars Gypsophila in 1997 became a global breakthrough, setting new standards for the flower industry.

• • Global Reach: Today, Danziger supplies over 500 million cuttings to more than 60 countries, operating massive R&D facilities
  • Key Products: Beyond cut flowers, Danziger is a major force in bedding plants, including the popular Amore™ Petunia and Vanessa™ Verbena series.
  • Milestones: In 2023, founder Ernest Danziger celebrated his 100th birthday, marking a legacy of seven decades of innovation in floriculture.

• • 1957: Klaus R. Jelitto became self-employed, representing German nursery products in Sweden.
  • 1960s-1970s: The business grew from a hobby into a principal focus, moving offices multiple times.
  • 1992: Settled in a permanent, large-scale facility in Schwarmstedt, Germany. 

• • Gold Nugget Seed: Developed by Klaus R. Jelitto between 1972-1977, this treatment eliminated the need for cold-wet stratification for many difficult seeds, with patents granted in 1979-1980.
  • JET® Technology (2000): Introduced to improve mechanical sowing, seed purification (rubbed free of chaff), and seed health.
  • Breeding and Introductions: The company has produced numerous introductions, including Echinacea ‘Green Twister’ and Rudbeckia ‘Little Goldstar’. 

• • Foundation (1959): The nursery was founded in Middle Tennessee based on a, “strong, healthy plants grown in native soil” philosophy.
  • Early Methods: The early operation was a small family farm that used mules for plowing and hand-dug plants to sell to local, regional, and national clients.
  • Expansion: It grew from just a couple of acres into a large-scale operation under the guidance of the Sons family, eventually adopting modern technology like mechanical transplanters. 

• • Modernization (2009): In 2009, under leadership from Tammy Sons, the business transitioned to an e-commerce model, allowing them to sell directly to retail homeowners, landscaping professionals, and ecological restoration groups across the U.S..
  • Specialization: The nursery moved from solely wholesale mail-order specializing in native plants, to supplying products to high-profile clients like Arlington National Cemetery.

• • 1961: Jose Costa Sr. and his sons, Tony and Mike, started the nursery business in Miami, specializing initially in calamondin citrus and foliage.
  • 1970s: The company expanded rapidly, becoming a major player in the Florida indoor plant industry during the foliage revolution. In the 1970s, Costa Farms launched its farm in the Dominican Republic as a vertical integration play—to be able to provide its own cuttings of top foliage varieties, rather than having to rely on cuttings suppliers.
  • 1990s: Hurricane Andrew destroyed most of the nursery’s infrastructure. The family chose to rebuild, resulting in a more modern, efficient operation. The third-generation of the Costa family took leadership after Hurricane Andrew; the current president of Costa Farms is fourth-generation Joche Smith Jr.(his father, Joche Smith is still CEO).
  • 2000s: The firm expanded its footprint beyond Florida to include facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and international locations like the Dominican Republic.
  • 2017: Costa Farms was acquired by the Markel family, joining their portfolio of companies.
  • Present Day: Under leadership that has included third-generation family members, the company remains a top supplier to major retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. 

• • From Crops to Foliage: The company transitioned from food crops to houseplants, then expanded into outdoor tropicals (hibiscus, mandevilla) and annual bedding plants.
  • Innovation & Plant Hunting: Costa Farms developed a reputation for identifying new plant trends, utilizing a full-time “Plant Hunter” to introduce rare varieties to the market.
  • Sustainability: The firm has focused on sustainable efforts, including using recycled plastics in containers and raising beneficial insects to manage pests. 

• • The Catalyst: In 1963, Calvin Ernst, while still in college, invested $1,000 in seed to grow crownvetch on five acres of his family’s farm.
  • Initial Success: By 1964, the enterprise—initially called Ernst Crownvetch Farms—sold its first major crop to Stanford Seed in Pennsylvania, allowing them to expand operations.
  • Commercial Focus: The company initially focused on supplying seed to stabilize steep slopes on Pennsylvania highway projects. 

• • Shifting Focus: As demand for highway stabilization eased, the company pivoted toward native species, capitalizing on a growing interest in wetland preservation and environmental restoration.
  • Diversification: By 1990, Calvin Ernst had expanded the company’s offerings to include a wide range of native plants, moving away from relying solely on non-native crownvetch. 

• • Growth and Reach: Today, the firm operates on over 10,000 acres in northwestern Pennsylvania, supplying hundreds of species of native seeds across the U.S. and internationally.
  • Industry Leadership: The company is a key supplier for projects involving pollinator habitats, solar site revegetation, and wetland restoration.
  • Family Tradition: The company remains a family-owned business, with Calvin and his family leading the company. 

• • 1965: Gene Milstein founded the company, initially offering traditional flower and vegetable seed packets.
  • 1967: The company shifted focus toward hand-collected wildflower seeds sold in unique, hand-drawn packets to gift and garden markets.
  • 1970s: A comprehensive research program was implemented to study wildflower cultivation, including germination, site preparation, and seed mixtures. 

• • 1980s: Applewood began selling bulk wildflower seeds to highway, municipal, and commercial landscape markets.
  • 1997: The company sold its retail product division to focus entirely on wholesale, following 26 years of retail development by Dee Milstein. 

• • Operations: The company, now based in Arvada, CO, operates in a 18,000 sq. ft. facility with a state-of-the-art testing lab staffed by Registered Seed Technologists.
  • Growth: They work with over 100 professional seed growers worldwide, specializing in open-pollinated, native grasses, and pollinator-friendly mixes.
  • Succession: As of 2020, Applewood Seed Co. transitioned to an employee-owned organization (ESOP) to maintain its unique company culture and continue the founders’ legacy. 

• • Breeding Focus & Innovation: Westhoff is recognized for its innovative breeding programs, including the “Crazytunia” petunia series, featuring unique patterns, and the “Calitastic” calibrachoa series.
  • The “Orange Petunia” Petition: In 2021, Westhoff led a successful petition with the USDA and APHIS to deregulate genetically modified orange petunias in the United States, which had previously been subject to restrictions.
  • Expansion & Technology: The company operates a sophisticated, large-scale greenhouse facility in Germany, which includes automated, high-capacity rolling container systems implemented in partnership with Logiqs.
  • Partnerships & Breeding Focus: Known for its “Westflowers” brand, the company has expanded its portfolio to include, amongst other things, dianthus and coleus. While they have worked with distributors like Dümmen Orange in the past, they continue to build their own global supply networks.
  • Recent Introductions: As of 2025-2026, the company continues to highlight new introductions like the “DiscoBall” petunia series at industry events such as the California Spring Trials (CAST). 

• • Establishment (1968): Founded with the philosophy of “One seed, one responsibility,” focusing on breeding high-quality, innovative vegetable varieties.
  • Expansion (1990s-2000s): Expanded internationally with locations in Thailand, India, and Vietnam, and a U.S. branch to target diverse, high-yield vegetable markets.
  • Industry Leadership: Known-You created over 90% of watermelon varieties grown in Taiwan and has earned multiple awards from All-America Selections for, among others, their Tomato Sugary and Watermelon Shiny Boy varieties.
  • Global Reach & Impact: The company has played a major role in developing agricultural technology in Southeast Asia by promoting and lending hybrid seeds to farmers in developing regions.
  • Research & Development: Known-You is actively involved in creating disease-resistant and heat-tolerant seeds to combat climate change, with significant investments in R&D.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility: In 2001, founder Chen Wen-yu established the Known-You Seed Farmers’ Hospital in Myanmar to improve local farmers’ welfare. 

• • Passion: David Austin Sr. (1926–2018) was inspired by the charm and scent of Old Roses but wanted to add the wide color palette and repeat-flowering capabilities of modern roses.
  • The First Rose: After initial attempts, his first commercial success was ‘Constance Spry‘ in 1961.
  • Early Challenges: Many nurserymen initially doubted the appeal of his “old-fashioned” hybrids, leading Austin to sell directly to gardeners from his kitchen table. 

• • Breakthrough (1982–1983): Following a successful display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 1982, his “English Roses”—notably varieties like ‘Graham Thomas’—gained immense popularity.
  • Breeding Approach: The company meticulously selects for health, fragrance, and beauty over a decade-long development process before introducing new varieties.
  • Family Tradition: Today, the business remains a family enterprise in Albrighton, employing skilled hand-budding techniques for over 60 years. 

• Early Days: Originally named Cambridge Seed Packet Company, Lyman White ran the small shop in a barn with his wife and children. It was a niche company, focused on short runs and stock packets, with Lyman often providing his own photography for packet imagery.
• 1986 Acquisition: White sold the business to California-based Pacific Lithograph, which established the official name Cambridge Pacific.
• 1995 to Present: Current owner Chris Belnap purchased the seed packet company in 1995 and merged it with his existing printing business. He moved operations to a repurposed, blue former chicken coop (formerly part of Owlkill Farms). Today, it is a high-tech, environmentally focused printing facility. 

Today, Cambridge Pacific is a world-class supplier of specialty packets, pockets, and labels.

• 1973: Founding: Rob Johnston, Jr. starts the company with $500 in savings in New Hampshire, shortly moving to Acton, Massachusetts.
• 1974: Name Change & First Catalog: Renamed to “Johnny’s Selected Seeds” and issued the first catalog.
• 1975: Move to Maine: The company moved to Albion, Maine, to a farm that serves as the center for research and production.
• 1970s-80s: Growth & Focus: Focused on finding reliable, flavorful vegetable varieties, becoming a key supplier for small-scale, local, and organic market farmers.
• 2003: Retail Store: Opened a retail store in Winslow, Maine.
• 2006-2012: Employee Ownership: Transitioned to 100% employee ownership through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• Present Day: Johnny’s is known for its high-quality standards, trial programs, and commitment to offering non-GMO seeds.  

• • Early 20th Century Pioneers: The origins of Bejo trace back to two separate Dutch family businesses: a grocery and seed business started by Jacob Jong in 1899, and a seed enterprise led by Cor Beemsterboer. Both men operated in the North Holland region, pioneering the selection and breeding of cabbage, carrots, and onions.
  • The 1960s Hybridization: In 1963, the Jong and Beemsterboer families made a joint investment in modern hybridization techniques, which led to highly successful new vegetable varieties.
  • The Formation of Bejo (1978): The shared success of their breeding ventures prompted the two firms to officially merge in 1978, establishing the globally recognized company Bejo Zaden.

Bejo Seeds Inc. (North America)

• Incorporation (1991): Bejo Seeds Inc. was formally incorporated in 1991 to bring Bejo’s high-quality seed genetics directly to North American growers.
• Organic Seed Production: Bejo was an early pioneer in sustainable agriculture, establishing organic seed production in the 1990s. Bejo Seeds in North America later earned USDA organic certification in 2005.
• Locations: The US and Canada territory is serviced from their North American headquarters in Oceano, California, with staff and test sites located in major vegetable production regions across the continent. 

Today, Bejo produces over 1,100+ vegetable varieties across 40+ crops, specializing in carrots, cabbage, onions and red beets. Their researchers frequently work to improve disease resistance, yields, flavor, and consumer appeal (notably helping spark a boom in milder Brussels sprouts).

• • The Early Years (1979–1985): Solomon started the company in Lorane, Oregon, writing the first catalog by hand. He prioritized organic, open-pollinated, and heirloom varieties, establishing deep trial gardens to test their hardiness in both summer and winter.
  • The Johns Era (1985–2022): In 1985, long-time customers Tom and Julie Johns purchased the company. Under their leadership, Territorial expanded significantly. In 1988, they launched the Winter Garden Catalog—which remains one of the only catalogs in the U.S. exclusively focused on cool-season, year-round gardening. They also acquired a 75-acre farm near Cottage Grove, Oregon, used exclusively for breeding, research, and rigorous seed trials.
  • Next Generation of Stewardship (2022–Present): Leadership of the family-owned company passed to the next generation, Jake and Farren, who continue to focus on soil health, non-GMO offerings, and year-round self-sufficiency for home gardeners. 

• • The Founders: The company was founded by Ray and Chy Allen, who followed their dream and moved their family to the rolling hills of Vermont to start a wildflower farm.
  • The Seed Man: In 1987, a local high school freshman named Mike Lizotte took a seasonal job at the farm. He quickly developed an encyclopedic knowledge of wildflower seeds and earned the nickname “The Seed Man”. 

• • Birth of American Meadows: Capitalizing on the emerging internet boom, the Allens launched AmericanMeadows.com in 1998. Ray Allen became an early adopter of digital marketing, participating in some of the first internet retail conferences and being featured in early Google paid search marketing materials.
  • Transition of Leadership: In 2009, Ray and Chy retired. Mike Lizotte and Ethan Dropkin (an expert horticulturist) purchased the business, stepping up to lead the company’s evolution. 

American Meadows is widely credited with helping pioneer the “meadowscaping” movement—the practice of replacing traditional turf lawns with ecologically beneficial, native, and colorful wildflower meadows. Today, the Vermont-based company continues to expand its offerings, which now include seed mixtures for commercial landscaping, specialized regional seed blends, and organic bulbs. 

• • 1981: After Dale was laid off from a nursery job during the early-80s economic downturn, he and his wife Liz bootstrapped their own operation. They started with just 20 acres and a single 15×100-foot propagation greenhouse built from old telephone poles.
  • The 1990s: Spring Meadow transformed the industry by utilizing patented plant programs that set aside royalties specifically for marketing, a novel concept at the time. Dale Deppe and Tim Wood spearheaded the creation of the ColorChoice Shrubs brand, introducing iconic staples like ‘Limelight’ hydrangea and Wine & Roses® weigela.
  • 2004: The nursery partnered with Proven Winners, becoming the exclusive licensee for developing, introducing, and marketing shrubs under the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® name.

Now operating hundreds of acres of computerized greenhouses, stock fields, and specialized trial facilities, the company remains a family business. Dale and Liz’s son, Jeremy Deppe, now leads the nursery as general manager. 

• • Early Innovation (1980s): The company pioneered selling seeds by exact count rather than by weight, allowing for much higher precision and efficiency in sowing.
  • Expansion & Leadership: David van Wingerden (John’s son) joined the family-run business in 1997 and became COO in 2006, guiding the company through immense technological and logistical growth. Dave Watt also served as CEO and General Manager, leading the company through decades of vendor innovations.
  • Executive Transition (2020): Scott Valentine stepped in as Chief Executive Officer, continuing the company’s focus on strategic team-building and vendor relations.
  • Major Acquisitions (2022): Express Seed significantly expanded its national footprint by taking over Syngenta’s unrooted poinsettia cuttings portfolio for the United States and Canada.
  • Indoor Floral Team (2024): The company launched the InBlume Indoor Floral division, partnering with European breeders like HiBreeding and Perlanova to bring premium indoor blooming potted plants, such as hydrangeas, to the North American market.
  • Legacy: The company suffered a major loss when COO and CIO David van Wingerden passed away in January 2024, but the business continues to operate as a major supply chain conduit for the North American nursery and greenhouse industry. 

• 1982: Christel and Wayne Osborne founded W. Osborne International Seed in Washington state’s Skagit Valley. Wayne’s background in the seed business, combined with their proximity to the Pacific Northwest’s fertile growing regions, inspired the launch.
• 1994: After Wayne passed away, Christel Osborne took the helm and successfully carried on the business, facing challenges in an industry where women were then underrepresented.
• 2018: The company joined forces with Gowan Seed Company, transforming into a full-service seed distributor supporting farmers of all sizes while retaining its dedication to customer service.

Currently headquartered in Mount Vernon, Washington, the company operates a two-acre field trial farm where they test and identify the best-performing hybrid, open-pollinated, and organic seed varieties. 

• • Heirloom & Open-Pollinated Seeds: Berlin Seeds focuses heavily on biodiversity, offering a wide, time-tested variety of heirloom, open-pollinated, and hybrid vegetable and flower seeds.
  • Old-Fashioned & Modern Tools: Beyond seeds, they carry an assortment of essential gardening supplies, practical tools, and home goods tailored to help gardeners get from “seed to spoon”.
  • Soil Health & Amendments: Emphasizing that healthy soil is key to productive harvests, they offer an extensive catalog of organic fertilizers and soil amendments.
  • Family Ownership: Acquired and managed by Marcus Wengerd and his family, the business is operated with a strong emphasis on seed independence, personal stewardship, and passing traditional growing knowledge to the next generation. 

• 1983: Gardener’s Supply is established. Identifying a gap in the availability of organic and European-style gardening tools, the founders built the business on principles of environmental sustainability and community building.
• 1987: The company embraces an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to foster a collaborative and shared-success corporate culture.
• 1989: The flagship retail garden center opens in Burlington, Vermont. The company’s headquarters and operations also anchor the 350-acre Intervale, helping transform it into a major hub for sustainable farming and urban composting.
• 2009: Will Raap sells his remaining stake, transitioning the business to become 100% employee-owned.
• 2014: The company becomes a certified B Corporation, reflecting its commitment to social responsibility, transparency, and donating a portion of profits to gardening and environmental programs.
• 2020-2022: The company experiences massive pandemic-era sales growth, but subsequent supply chain costs and shifts in consumer behavior lead to revenue declines.
• 2025: After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-2025, Gardener’s Supply is acquired by competitor Gardens Alive!, allowing retail operations and the brand to continue under new ownership. 

• 1983 – Founding: Mary Ballon launched the company in Vancouver to advocate for local, organic food. She focused strictly on untreated, open-pollinated, and heirloom varieties.
• 2014 – Ownership Change: The Diamond family purchased the company. Under their ownership, the company expanded its ecommerce reach while scaling its offerings to over 1,100 seed varieties.
• Testing & Farm Operations: Operations were moved to a certified organic farm in South Delta, BC. This site serves as an extensive seed-trialing facility (including the AAS Trials), greenhouse, and pollinator garden.
• Expansion & Sister Brands: Under the Diamond family, the company also acquired sister brands.

Today, the brand supplies untreated, non-GMO seeds, gardening tools, and growing supplies directly to consumers and garden centers nationwide. They remain heavily focused on education, sustainability, and supporting community gardens. 

• Founding Vision: Lake Valley Seed was created to serve local gardeners by sourcing high-quality garden seeds from growers around the world.
• Strict Quality Standards: Since day one, the company has pledged to provide only non-GMO and untreated seeds. They do not use neonicotinoid pesticides, and all organic lines are certified by the USDA and the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
• Seed Reliability: To ensure peak viability, the company conducts twice-yearly germination testing on their products.
• Exclusive Italian Line: Lake Valley is the exclusive U.S. importer of seeds from Pagano Seed, an historic Italian company founded in 1925. This allows Lake Valley to offer more than 70 regional Mediterranean vegetable and herb varieties. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

• • The Origin: In 1946, nurseryman Alan Bloom acquired Bressingham Hall in Norfolk, England, where he began cultivating an extensive collection of hardy perennials.
  • Famous Introductions: The nursery became famous for introducing over 150 celebrated perennial varieties worldwide, including Achillea ‘Moonshine’, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, and the wildly popular Geranium ‘Rozanne’. 
  • Creating the Brand: In the early 1990s, Alan’s son Adrian Bloom and horticulturist Gary Doerr partnered with Ohio-based Yoder Brothers, Inc. to launch Blooms of Bressingham North America.
  • Marketing Innovation: This division successfully brought the UK’s proprietary, high-performance perennial varieties to the American gardening market using an innovative, color-coded marketing system and rigorous trialing programs. 

• Acquisition: Yoder Brothers (which later evolved into the Aris organization/Green Leaf Plants) acquired the international rights and operations to the Blooms of Bressingham brand.
• The Rebranding: Because the original UK retail and garden center operations shifted away from mass-market licensing, Aris rebranded the division as Must Have Perennials.
• Modern Operations: In early 2025, the organization was purchased by the Ball Horticultural Company; located in West Chicago, IL. Under new leadership from Ball, Must Have Perennials continues to seek out the most exceptional plant material the industry has to offer.

• 1988 (Invention): Wayne Niewold, a farmer and owner of the Hydra Fold Auger company, was asked by a university groundskeeper to design a faster way to plant flowers and shrubs. He used his agricultural engineering experience to invent the very first planting augers.
• The Original Designs: The first models produced were the 3×7 and 3×12 (measuring 3 inches in diameter and 7 or 12 inches long, respectively). They featured a hand-welded steel shaft and a hex-shaped drive that locked securely into a drill without slipping.
• Modern Expansion: In 2013, the business was passed down to Niewold’s grandson, Greg Niewold. Today, the third-generation, family-owned business—still based on the same Illinois farmland—produces over ten different models used globally by homeowners, landscapers, and commercial growers. 

• Foundation (1989): The company was established to buy, sell, and develop vegetable and sunflower seeds for professional growers and retail packet seed companies worldwide.
• Focus on Niche Markets: Rather than competing with industry giants, Pro-Veg specializes in unique varieties. They are one of the few remaining breeders of broad beans for the fresh market and have historically focused on innovative legumes and disease-resistant home-garden vegetables.
• Award-Winning Breeding Programs: They run their own highly successful plant-breeding programs tailored for home gardeners. Their specialty patio tomato varieties—specifically those bred in conjunction with the Sarvari Trust for late blight resistance—have achieved three prestigious All-America Selections awards.
• Global Partnerships: They established extensive international networks and an exclusive UK marketing arrangement to offer Syngenta’s garden and edible-podded peas. 

• • The Parent Foundation (1905): The overarching Ball Horticultural Company was founded in 1905 by George J. Ball in West Chicago, Illinois, originally as a wholesale cut flower operation.
  • Shift to Vegetative Breeding: As the commercial market expanded rapidly in the late 20th century, Ball realized the growing need for specialized, cutting-grown (vegetative) annuals and perennials. Ball FloraPlant was established to focus entirely on vegetatively propagated genetics.
  • Global Infrastructure: To ensure a clean, reliable, and year-round supply of cuttings, Ball FloraPlant expanded its operations globally, notably building YecaFlora, a state-of-the-art production farm in Mexico.
  • Disease & Quality Management: Learning from strict industry quarantines, the company developed industry-leading protocols and forged close ties with the USDA and APHIS to ensure clean, virus-indexed stock.
  • Modern Innovation: Today, under the Ball Horticultural Company umbrella, Ball FloraPlant continues to release award-winning, resilient varieties. They are well known for pioneering plant lines with exceptional garden performance. 

• Megacopa™ Bacopa: Known for large flower sizes and heat tolerance.
• Titan™ Vinca: A massive upgrade to landscape Vinca with high disease resistance. 
• Numerous AAS Winners such as SureShot and Bee’s Knees petunias.

• 1992: The brand was launched by two premier U.S. plant propagators: Four Star Greenhouse in Carleton, Michigan, and Pleasant View Gardens in Loudon, New Hampshire.
• Early Expansion: In partnership with Canadian licensees (Nordic Nurseries and Sobkowich Greenhouses), they began producing premium plant liners to sell to wholesale growers across North America.
• Brand Expansion: The company expanded far beyond annuals, partnering with specialized industry experts to launch Proven Winners ColorChoice (flowering shrubs), Walters Gardens (perennials), Classic Caladiums, and leafjoy (houseplants).
• Unified Structure: Operations were elevated when the founding companies combined into a single unified company alongside investment partners, solidifying their nationwide infrastructure. 

• • 1976: The original F1 hybrid breeding program for strawberries was initiated.
  • 1993: ABZ Seeds was formally founded as an independent venture. The goal was to overcome the traditional diseases and viruses associated with propagating strawberries from cuttings by creating clean, vigorous seeds.
  • Late 1990s: The company introduced the first day-neutral F1 hybrid strawberry varieties, offering an entirely new approach for the commercial and home gardening markets.
  • 2000s–2020s: ABZ Seeds expanded its catalog to over 20 unique F1 hybrid varieties. They successfully bred strawberries that combine edible fruit with high ornamental value, such as the AAS award-winning Delizz.
  • 2025: The Planasa Group, a global leader in berry plant research, acquired ABZ Seeds. ABZ Seeds continues to operate as an independent standalone business unit in Andijk. 

• The Boutique Breeder’s Agent (Late 1990s): PlantHaven was established to connect independent botanical breeders with commercial wholesale growers to maximize the profitability of exclusive plant genetics.
• Early Introductions & Patenting: The agency was heavily involved in bringing plant patenting and royalties to the forefront of the industry. Through the years, PlantHaven has helped introduce iconic cultivars like Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’, Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’, Aruncus ‘Misty Lace’, and Hosta ‘Liberty’.
• International Expansion (2000s): The agency partnered with international breeders to achieve simultaneous worldwide new variety testing. Robert and Jeanette Bett relocated from New Zealand to Santa Barbara in 2009 to take on leadership positions at the company.
• Changing of the Guard (2021): After more than two decades at the helm, the Needhams sold PlantHaven to Robert and Jeanette Bett in August 2021. The Betts transitioned into the roles of CEO and president, leading the business into a modernized “PlantHaven 2.0,” while Geoff Needham stayed on as a consultant.
• Recent Developments: PlantHaven continues to represent nearly 100 independent breeders, managing over 300 active patented plant portfolios. They have been deeply involved in partnerships to domesticate production and streamline accessibility for North American growers, such as bringing the premium Whetman Dianthus program under Green Fuse Botanicals. 

• Family Roots: The family’s direct history in the seed business dates back over 75 years through their operation of Triangle Farms. The family farm spans about 1,700 acres, offering a wide variety of micro-climates ideal for diverse seed cultivation.
• Formation: Angela Rose founded Oregon Wholesale Seed Co. in 2000 to directly market the production of the family farm, as well as to coordinate with selected regional farms and act as an agricultural broker.
• Direct-to-Consumer Expansion: To educate the public about agriculture and sell smaller batches, Rose launched a sister company shortly after, Silver Falls Seed Co., it primarily focuses on selling pre-packaged Northwest native seeds, wildflower mixes, and custom packets directly to consumers and retailers.
• Federal Restoration Contracts: Since 2002, the company has leveraged its expertise in native seed cultivation by securing federal contracts. They have worked alongside the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to grow, clean, and increase native plant seed stock for Pacific Northwest habitat restoration and reforestation initiatives. 

• Strategic Location: The Watsonville site was chosen for the California Central Coast’s sunny winters and cool summers. This ideal climate allows PP&L to naturally “tone” and harden off young perennials outdoors from spring through fall.
• Transition to Perennials: While PP&L initially produced a full line of annuals, the company soon shifted its focus to become a leading specialist in a wide array of perennials and select specialty crops.
• Facility Upgrades: The company operates high-tech, 250,000-square-foot production greenhouses. To further take advantage of the mild California weather, PP&L added an acre of outdoor benching in 2008. Their automated greenhouses utilize state-of-the-art environmental controls, irrigation booms, and hydronic bottom heating to ensure consistent plant quality.
• Industry Partnerships: PP&L built a strong reputation for offering unique varietals. They partner with global breeders to introduce and trial brand-new, cutting-edge plant series in the North American market (such as their proprietary Echibeckia and winter-blooming hellebore series).
• Recent Acquisition: Smith Gardens (the parent company of PP&L) was acquired in 2026 by the agricultural division of the Hoffmann Family of Companies. 

Today, the nursery supplies premium, hardened young plants to brokers and commercial growers across the United States and Canada.

• • Location: The company is based in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, a prime agricultural region known for producing high-quality cool-season grass seeds.
  • Offerings: They supply over 1,500 varieties of seeds, including pasture and forage seeds, clover, ground covers, and wildflower mixes.
  • Target Audience: The platform caters to both novice homeowners and serious do-it-yourself landscapers. 

• • The Design: The signature curved steel “cobrahead” blade acts like a steel fingernail. It allows gardeners to pull, dig, cultivate, and scalp weeds. It is highly effective at removing long taproots intact and working in tight, precise spaces.
  • Local Manufacturing: Staying true to their Midwest roots, the Valdeses partnered with Green Bay Drop Forge to keep the manufacturing domestic, avoiding the overseas-outsourcing trend. The handle is an eco-friendly composite of recycled plastic and organic fibers, or North Carolina ash for the long-handled version.
  • Family Run: After running the business for two decades, Noel and Judy transitioned the company’s day-to-day management to their daughter, Anneliese Valdes, and her partner Andy Young, keeping it a family-owned operation. 

• • 2006-2007: After successfully running and selling an analytical chemistry R&D laboratory, Dr. Grazzini (who holds a PhD in genetics from Penn State) launched GardenGenetics. The company initially performed fee-for-service contract breeding for major plant development companies while establishing its own genetics.
  • Early Operations: The company was historically based on a 20-acre research farm in central Pennsylvania, featuring 20,000 square feet of greenhouses and its own tissue culture lab.
  • Shift to Intellectual Property (IP): By 2016, GardenGenetics had completely phased out contract breeding. The company pivoted entirely to developing its own proprietary genetics, protecting them via US Plant Patents, Plant Variety Protection (PVP), and trademarks, and licensing them to growers worldwide.
  • 2023 Relocation: In 2023, Grazzini sold the Pennsylvania research farm to Penn State University and relocated the company’s headquarters to Columbus, Ohio. 
  • Edibles Expansion: Building on 15 years of culinary herb breeding, they developed the GardenZest culinary herb line, designed specifically for home and commercial growers seeking high fragrance, compact habits, disease tolerance, and extended harvest times. Treviso basil is a recent AAS Winner with resistance to basil downy mildew.
  • Ornamental Achievements: Dr. Grazzini was recognized with the Greenhouse Grower Industry Achievement Award in 2024 for his multi-disciplinary approach to floriculture and his mentorship of younger plant breeders globally. 

• Founding and Leadership: Founded by Susan Liou, the company was established to bridge the gap between Middle Eastern plant breeders and the North American market.
• Network Partners: Global Plant Source represents several prominent Israeli horticulture and propagation companies, including Cohen Propagation Nurseries, Hishtil, Jaldety, Saad Assaf Flower Bulbs, and Nir Nursery.
• Logistics and Brokerage: The company handles the importation, consolidated logistics, and supply chain management for unrooted cuttings, tissue cultures, and bulbs. They specialize in consolidated shipments to streamline costs and ensure timely distribution.
• Industry Presence: Global Plant Source is a fixture at major trade events. They exhibit at the California Spring Trials (CAST), where they provide North American growers, landscapers, and retailers with a sneak peek of upcoming plant varieties and agricultural trends. 

• 2007: The Ball Horticultural Company acquired “Darwin Plants,” a Dutch bare-root export company renowned for scouting and finding unique perennial varieties. This acquisition served as Ball’s strategic entry point into the broader perennial market.
• 2009: To formally structure and organize their growing perennial activities, Ball organized its North American and European operations into a dedicated division. Because of the innovative reputation surrounding the Darwin name, it was dubbed “Darwin Perennials,” shifting focus toward vegetative perennial breeding.
• 2017: Ball sold the Dutch “Darwin Plants” bare-root distribution business to Kébol B.V.. This allowed Ball to exclusively focus its resources on developing and expanding the breeding, genetics, and production operations of Darwin Perennials.

Darwin Perennials continues to operate globally, supplying high-quality, innovative plant genetics. They source unrooted cuttings directly from their production farm in Colombia (Darwin Colombia) and partner with licensed young plant suppliers and growers. They also host the annual Darwin Perennials Day industry event at The Gardens at Ball in West Chicago, Illinois. 

• • 2009: Company Launch: Steve Jones, the former sales and marketing director for Bodger Seeds, purchased the vegetative breeding division “Bodger Botanicals” to launch Green Fuse Botanicals in Southern California. The acquisition instantly provided the new company with a portfolio of popular genetics, such as Sweet Caroline ipomoeas and Cathedral salvias.
  • 2012: Expansion in Santa Paula, CA: Green Fuse relocated its Research & Development (R&D) and trialing facility to Santa Paula, California. This move significantly increased their greenhouse and trial space, allowing them to evaluate new product pipelines in various environmental conditions and replicate climates across North America and overseas.
  • 2017: Executive Appointment: Industry veteran Jim Devereux joined the company as Vice President to manage expanding production, sales, and strategic planning alongside Steve Jones.
  • 2021: Transition in Leadership: Jim Devereux was named Chief Executive Officer (CEO), allowing Steve Jones to focus on discovering new global breeding trends and continuous product development.
  • Present Growth & Partnerships: Green Fuse operates out of Somis, California, and maintains strong domestic and international operations. The company is widely known in the industry for its “First Light” perennial program, which develops daylength-neutral varieties that require no artificial chilling (vernalization) to bloom.
  • Major Plant Programs: Green Fuse has continuously introduced innovative genetics. Some of their notable plant series and highlights include:
    • Lupine Staircase & First Light Programs: Groundbreaking perennials that flower in their first year.
    • Pentas Phenom & Calibrachoas: Distinctive vegetation-bred series known for unique colors and heat tolerance.
    • Hydrangea Mountain Series: Day-neutral woody ornamentals that dramatically reduce grower production times.
    • Firefly Petunia: Produced via tissue culture at Green Fuse, this bioluminescent plant made TIME magazine’s list of Best Inventions in 2024.