Groovy Plants Ranch, a wholesale specialty plant nursery located in Cardington, aims to blend a distinct shopping experience with its wide selection of unusual plants and succlents, for its customers.
The nursery recently announced it will open its first retail store April 11 at 4140 County Road 15 in Marengo.
“We’re definitely purveyors of plants and hope to hook a whole new generation of gardeners with our unique mix of plants,” Groovy Plants owner Jared Hughes said. “Here, we’ll feature quality craft-grown plants that shoppers won’t find elsewhere.”
He and his wife Liz Hughes purchased and re-purposed the property that will be used for the garden store from Tami Russell, whose late husband Jeff Russell ran Fargo Herbs farm on the parcel of land.
“We’re honored to carry on Jeff’s passion for plants and friendly service that endeared his customers at Fargo Herbs for the past 15 years,” Hughes said.
Groovy Plant Ranch will carry perennials, cold hardy cacti, unusual plants and a large selection of organically grown herbs and vegetable plants.
Hughes started his business “with nothing more than a few cuttings of succulents” 10 years ago. The one-man-business annually produces 25,000 four-inch succulents, 2,500 cold hardy cacti and 10,000 one-gallon perennials.
“We’ve had such an overwhelming response to our business through farmer’s markets, wholesale clients, open houses and online sales that we’re now ready to open a retail location,” says Hughes. “It’s amazing to see how popular succulents have become for their ease of care, low water needs and fascinating shapes and colors.”
Besides growing and selling unusual plants, Hughes is hybridizing and isolating new plant varieties, which will soon be offered at the store before national distribution. This spring, Groovy Plants Ranch will exclusively offer one of Hughes’ newest hybrids ‘Canary Wing’ begonia. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays.
“This is a shop perfect for anyone who loves plants, regardless of knowledge or experience,” says Hughes. Groovy Plants Ranch’s official grand-opening celebration is April 29.