Top 100 Growers – The List

2009 Rank 2008 Rank Operation State Square Footage Crop Breakdown
1 1 Color Spot Nurseries CA 13,650,000 56% ornamental bedding plants, 14% shrubs and ornamentals, 13% plugs and propagation, 12% container perennials, 5% flowering potted plants
2 2 Kurt Weiss Greenhouses NY 12,146,020 40% ornamental bedding plants, 33% flowering potted plants, 10% woody ornamentals, 10% container perennials, 3% potted foliage, 3% plugs and propagation, 1% herbs
3 4 Costa Farms, LLC FL 6,861,322 (9%) 50% potted foliage, 35% ornamental bedding plants, 15% plugs and propagation
4 5 Paul Ecke Ranch CA 5,509,891 (76%) 43% flowering potted plants, 30% ornamental bedding plants, 27% plugs and propagation
5 7 Rocket Farms CA 5,500,000 65% flowering potted plants, 20% herbs, 5% fresh cut flowers, 5% potted foliage, 5% vegetables
6 6 Metrolina Greenhouses NC 5,400,000 60% ornamental bedding plants, 15% container perennials, 15% plugs and propagation, 10% flowering potted plants
7 25t Color Star Growers CO 5,000,000 70% ornamental bedding plants, 25% flowering potted plants, 5% container perennials
8 8 Hines Horticulture CA 4,834,000 50% woody ornamentals, 25% container perennials, 25% ornamental bedding plants
9 10 Altman Plants CA 4,590,675 50% ornamental bedding plants, 27% container perennials, 20% potted foliage, 3% plugs and propagation
10 12 The Sun Valley Group CA 4,100,000* 100% fresh cut flowers*
11 13 Bell Nursery MD 4,081,800 75% ornamental bedding plants, 10% container perennials, 5% flowering potted plants, 5% herbs, 5% vegetables
12 3 Aris (formerly Yoder Brothers) OH 3,984,869 (50%) 50% flowering potted plants, 25% container perennials, 15% tropicals, 8% herbs, 2% fresh cut flowers
13 14 Delray Plants Inc. FL 3,868,116 100% potted foliage
14t 17t Green Circle Growers OH 3,500,000* 45% plugs and propagation*, 35% ornamental bedding plants*, 12% flowering potted plants*, 8% potted foliage*
14t 17t Milgro Nursery Inc. CA 3,500,000 90% flowering potted plants, 10% plugs and propagation
16 19 Matsui Nursery, Inc. CA 3,328,000 100% flowering potted plants
17t 16 Kerry’s Bromeliads FL 3,100,000 90% flowering potted plants, 10% plugs and propagation
17t 15 Nurserymen’s Exchange CA 3,100,000 90% flowering potted plants, 10% container perennials
19 20 Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas OR 2,850,000 55% flowering potted plants, 45% woody ornamentals and shrubs
20 23 Mid-American Growers IL 2,831,400 60% ornamental bedding plants, 35% flowering potted plants, 5% potted foliage
21 21 Hermann Engelmann Greenhouses FL 2,800,000 100% potted foliage
22t 22 Bay City Flowers CA 2,500,000* 80% flowering potted plants*, 20% ornamental bedding plants
22t 24 Dallas Johnson Greenhouses IA 2,500,000 (11%) 75% ornamental bedding plants, 20% container perennials, 5% flowering potted plants
24 25t Tagawa Greenhouses CO 2,200,000 45% plugs and propagation, 35% ornamental bedding plants, 15% nursery crops, 4% flowering potted plants, 1% container perennials
25 27 Floral Plant Growers LLC WI 2,103,105 71% ornamental bedding plants, 15% plugs and propagation, 7% flowering potted plants, 4% container perennials, 2% vegetables
2009 Rank 2008 Rank Operation State Square Footage Crop Breakdown
26 9 Speedling Inc. FL 2,100,000 (34%) 60% plugs and propagation, 20% flowering potted plants, 20% vegetables
27 11 GroLink Plant Co. CA 1,971,200 (56%) 90% cuttings, 10% plugs and propagation
28 28 DeLeon’s Bromeliads FL 1,941,739 (11%) 100% bromeliads and orchids
29 32 B&H Flowers, Inc. CA 1,868,000 100% fresh cut flowers
30t 30t Barcelo Enterprises CA 1,800,000 40% woody ornamentals, 30% plugs and propagation, 20% flowering potted plants, 10% container perennials
30t 34 Colorama Wholesale Nursery CA 1,800,000 40% woody ornamentals, 30% plugs and propagation, 20% flowering potted plants, 10% container perennials
30t 30t Smith Gardens WA 1,800,000 60% flowering potted plants, 15% trees, 10% ornamental bedding plants, 5% container perennials, 5% herbs, 5% plugs and propagation
33 29 Wenke Greenhouses MI 871,200 55% ornamental bedding plants, 20% flowering potted plants, 20% plugs and propagation, 4% vegetables, 1% herbs
34 33 Ocean Breeze International CA 1,614,000 100% fresh cut flowers
35 39 Northwest Horticulture WA 1,611,720 50% container perennials, 50% plugs and propagation
36 49 Westland Floral Co. CA 1,555,000 90% fresh cut flowers, 10% flowering potted plants
37 37 Post Gardens Inc. MI 1,527,000 65% ornamental bedding plants, 21% flowering potted plants, 10% potted foliage, 4% plugs and propagation
38 38 Clearwater Nursery CA 1,525,000 95% flowering potted plants, 3% container perennials, 2% plugs and propagation
39 40 Kawahara Nurseries CA 1,515,800 50% ornamental bedding plants, 30% container perennials, 20% flowering potted plants
40 50 Polk Nursery Company Inc. FL 1,500,600 50% flowering potted plants, 35% potted foliage, 10% trees, 3% woody ornamentals, 2% vegetables
41t 41t El Modeno Gardens Inc. CA 1,500,000 50% container perennials, 30% woody ornamentals & shrubs, 10% ornamental bedding plants, 10% flowewring potted plants
41t 41t N.G. Heimos Greenhouses FL 1,500,000 50% ornamental bedding plants, 20% plugs and propagation, 15% flowering potted plants, 15% container perennials
41t 62 Plant Marketing LLC WI 1,500,000 61% potted foliage, 39% ornamental bedding plants>
41t 35 Van Wingerden International Inc. NC 1,500,000 75% ornamental bedding plants, 20% flowering potted plants, 5% potted foliage
45t 45t Elzinga & Hoeksema Greenhouses MI 1,400,000 65% ornamental bedding plants, 20% organic herbs and veggies, 10% flowering potted plants, 5% plugs and propagation
44t 45t Gallup & Stribling Orchids Inc. CA 1,400,000 50% flowering potted plants, 50% fresh cut flowers
45t 45t Panzer Nursery OR 1,400,000 100% flowering potted plants
48 54 Bergen’s Greenhouses, Inc. MN 1,357,200 60% ornamental bedding plants, 19% container perennials, 10% flowering potted plants, 10% plugs and propagation
49 51 Young’s Plant Farm, Inc. AL 1,350,360 60% ornamental bedding plants, 30% flowering potted plants, 10% plugs and propagation
50 52 Burgett Geothermal Greenhouses NM 1,325,680 100% fresh cut flowers
2009 Rank 2008 Rank Operation State Square Footage Crop Breakdown
51 53 Aldershot of New Mexico Inc. NM 1,317,000 85% flowering potted plants, 5% potted foliage, 5% ornamental bedding plants, 5% container perennials
52 78 Dan Schantz Farm PA 1,315,992 51% flowering potted plants, 47% ornamental bedding plants, 1% vegetables, 0.05% plugs and propagation, 0.05% herbs
53t n/a Four Star Greenhouses MI 1,306,800 60% plugs and propagation*, 40% ornamental bedding plants*
53t 55 Johannes Flowers Inc. CA 1,306,800 100% fresh cut flowers
55 43 Dan & Jerry’s Greenhouse MN 1,300,000 85% ornamental bedding plants, 10% nursery crop, 5% flowering potted plants
56 56 Rockwell Farms Inc. NC 1,275,000 75% ornamental bedding plants, 15% flowering potted plants, 5% plugs and propagation, 5% herbs
57 57 Battlefield Farms VA 1,273,380 85% flowering potted plants, 10% container perennials, 5% potted foliage
58 58 Valley Flowers CA 1,240,000 100% fresh cut flowers
59 61 Garden State Growers NJ 1,200,000 50% flowering potted plants, 50% container perennials
60 59 Green Valley Growers TX 1,180,000 20% ornamental bedding plants, 20% plugs and propagation, 15% container perennials, 15% woody ornamentals, 15% other, 10% flowering potted plants, 5% potted foliage
61 60 Pacifica Flowers CA 1,176,120 (44.4%) 100% fresh cut flowers
62t 83t Dramm & Echter Inc. CA 1,100,000 (18%) 100% fresh cut flowers
62t 36 Timberline Nursery Inc. TX 1,100,000 85% ornamental bedding plants, 15% flowering potted plants
64 66 Sawyer Nursery MI 1,059,076 80% container perennials, 20% plugs and propagation
65 63 Henry Mast Greenhouses/Masterpiece Flower Co LLC MI 1,050,000 66% ornamental bedding plants, 25% flowering potted plants, 8% plugs and propagation, 1% container perennials
66 72 Hiebert Greenhouse of South Dakota SD 1,047,644 55% ornamental bedding plants, 15% flowering potted plants, 15% container perennials, 7% vegetables, 3% herbs, 2% potted foliage,  2% woody ornamentals, 1% plugs and propagation
67 64 Alex R. Masson KS 1,045,440 85% flowering potted plants, 15% potted foliage
68 65 Heartland Growers IN 1,043,360 65% ornamental bedding plants, 25% flowering potted plants, 5% potted foliage, 5% plugs and propagation
69 67 Young’s Nursery & Greenhouses TN 1,009,000 55% ornamental bedding plants, 20% flowering potted plants, 18% plugs and propagation, 5% potted foliage, 2% container perennials
70t 68t Kitayama Brothers CA 1,000,000* 100% fresh cut flowers*
70t 68t Sunshine Floral Inc. CA 1,000,000 100% fresh cut flowers
70t 68t Welby Gardens Co. Inc. CO 1,000,000 69% ornamental bedding plants, 16% container perennials, 10% plugs and propagation, 2% vegetables, 2% flowering potted plants, 1% herbs
73 68t Kent’s Bromeliads Nursery Inc. CA 975,000 100% flowering potted plants
74 73 Maria Gardens Greenhouses Inc. OH 914,700 55% ornamental bedding plants, 20% flowering potted plants, 20% potted foliage, 5% container perennials
75 80t Dewar Nurseries FL 914,000 57% flowering potted plants, 39% woody ornamentals, 2% container perennials, 1% potted foliage, 1% vegetables
2009 Rank 2008 Rank Operation State Square Footage Crop Breakdown
76 74 Harts Nursery OR 900,000 78% ornamental bedding plants, 20% container perennials, 2% herbs
77 75 Petitti Garden Center (Casa Verde) OH 895,000 55% ornamental bedding plants, 35% container perennials, 8% vegetables, 2% herbs
78 77  Richardson Bros. Inc. IL 892,980* 53% ornamental bedding plants*, 30% flowering potted plants*, 15% plugs and propagation*, 2% potted foliage*
79 79 Van de Wetering Greenhouses Inc. NY 880,000 70% plugs and propagation, 20% flowering potted plants, 10% ornamental bedding plants
80t n/a Bailey Nurseries MN 871,200 92% woody ornamentals, 6% ornamental bedding plants, 2% plugs and propagation
80t 80t O.F. Nelson & Sons Nursery Inc. FL 871,200 100% flowering potted plants
82 85 White’s Nursery & Greenhouses Inc. VA 860,000 72% flowering potted plants, 25% ornametnal bedding plants, 2% herbs, 1% vegetables
83t 82 Armstrong Growers CA 851,000 45% ornamental bedding plants, 36% flowering potted plants, 6% container perennials, 5% other, 4% woody ornamentals, 2% herbs, 2% vegetables
83t 89 Twixwood Nursery LLC MI 851,000 50% container perennials, 40% plugs and propagation, 5% other, 3% woody ornamentals, 2% herbs
85 86 Kube-Pak NJ 850,040 49% ornamental bedding plants, 32% plugs and propagation material, 10% flowering potted plants, 5% container perennials, 2% vegetables, 1% potted foliage, 1% herbs
87 83t Blue Ridge Growers VA 850,000 63% ornamental bedding plants, 20% flowering potted plants, 15% plugs and propagation, 2% herbs and perennials
87 92 Bob’s Market & Greenhouses Inc. WV 833,443 50% plugs and propagation, 33% ornamental bedding plants, 17% flowering potted plants
88 90 Grower Direct Farms CT 790,000 70% ornamental bedding plants, 20% flowering potted plants, 5% container perennials, 5% plugs and propagation
89 88 Cuthbert Greenhouse OH 782,000 60% ornamental bedding plants, 20% flowering potted plants, 10% potted foliage, 10% plugs and propagation
90 100 Lucas Greenhouses NJ 770,000 52% flowering potted plants, 40% plugs and propagation, 8% ornamental bedding plants
91 91 California Pajarosa CA 765,576 100% fresh cut flowers
92 93 Olive Hill Greenhouses, Inc. CA 760,000 55% flowering potted plants, 45% potted foliage
93 n/a Stacy’s Greenhouses, Inc. SC 756,960 85% plugs and propagation, 8% container perennials, 7% ornamental bedding plants
94 94 Silver Terrace Nursery CA 750,000* 100% fresh cut flowers*
95 95 Myriad Flowers International CA 740,520 100% fresh cut flowers
96 98  Nash Greenhouses MI 720,000 50% ornamental bedding plants, 40% flowering potted plants, 5% plugs and propagation material, 2% potted foliage, 2% vegetables, 1% herbs
97 96  Riverview Flower Farm FL 718,740 50% container perennials, 50% ornamental bedding plants
98 45t Farmers’ West Flowers & Bouquets, Inc. CA 712,000 97% fresh cut flowers, 2% plugs and propagation, 1% flowering potted plants
99t 87 Esbenshades Greenhouses PA 700,000 54% ornamental bedding plants, 30% flowering potted, 8% plugs and propagation, 8% container perennials
99t n/a  Knox Nursery FL 700,000 70% plugs and propagation, 25% ornamental bedding plants, 5% flowering potted plants
t = Tie
* = Estimate

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Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Monrovia ???

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

I am amazed every time , I read an article about a present or past Top 100 grower. I have toured two great New Jersey companies (Kube-Pak and Lucas Greenhouses) . Both Bill , George,their growers and employees deserve to be in Top 100. Congratulations to them and all of the Top 100.

One way to get started in the greenhouse industry mentioned to me by cooperative extension agents is to become a contract grower. Proven business plans, ready made markets and outstanding grower schools for less experienced growers were several reasons listed. Here in the Mid- Atlantic region #11 Bell Nursery is a leader in this area. I always enjoy reading the articles about this company in your magazine and other trade publications.

How does the future look for Bell Nursery in the garden spot in the Garden State (Cumberland County, South Jersey) look?

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the top 100 list strictly based on the square footage of their operation? In that sense it isn’t really a “top grower” list at all. It’s a list of who has spent the most money on greenhouse facilities.

The problem with being a contract grower is that the end customer has NO loyalty at all. If that customer decides because of any little thing, even a personality conflict, some of these businesses that are tied to them, with upwards of 85-90% of their sales, are in a world of hurt. When all your other customers have been pushed aside, how to you get your plants to market? Is this what happened to the couple of growers that fell out of the list because they went out of business? Tough to rely so heavily on Depot or Wally world when they can drop you on a whim.

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

seeking contract growers for pitcher plants. pleasae contact me at 602-418-5913, [email protected]

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

seeking contract growers for pitcher plants. pleasae contact me at 602-418-5913, [email protected]

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Hello Sir or Madam,

i am studying Horticulture in the third Semster in Osnabrueck, Germany. I am seraching for an interhsip place in the USA during the from July until Septembre. Do horticulture companies offer something like this?
I am spezialised in beeding plants.

Thanks for contacting me.

Simon

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Hello Sir or Madam,

i am studying Horticulture in the third Semster in Osnabrueck, Germany. I am seraching for an interhsip place in the USA during the from July until Septembre. Do horticulture companies offer something like this?
I am spezialised in beeding plants.

Thanks for contacting me.

Simon

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Monrovia ???

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

I am amazed every time , I read an article about a present or past Top 100 grower. I have toured two great New Jersey companies (Kube-Pak and Lucas Greenhouses) . Both Bill , George,their growers and employees deserve to be in Top 100. Congratulations to them and all of the Top 100.

One way to get started in the greenhouse industry mentioned to me by cooperative extension agents is to become a contract grower. Proven business plans, ready made markets and outstanding grower schools for less experienced growers were several reasons listed. Here in the Mid- Atlantic region #11 Bell Nursery is a leader in this area. I always enjoy reading the articles about this company in your magazine and other trade publications.

How does the future look for Bell Nursery in the garden spot in the Garden State (Cumberland County, South Jersey) look?

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the top 100 list strictly based on the square footage of their operation? In that sense it isn’t really a “top grower” list at all. It’s a list of who has spent the most money on greenhouse facilities.

The problem with being a contract grower is that the end customer has NO loyalty at all. If that customer decides because of any little thing, even a personality conflict, some of these businesses that are tied to them, with upwards of 85-90% of their sales, are in a world of hurt. When all your other customers have been pushed aside, how to you get your plants to market? Is this what happened to the couple of growers that fell out of the list because they went out of business? Tough to rely so heavily on Depot or Wally world when they can drop you on a whim.

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

seeking contract growers for pitcher plants. pleasae contact me at 602-418-5913, [email protected]

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

seeking contract growers for pitcher plants. pleasae contact me at 602-418-5913, [email protected]

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Hello Sir or Madam,

i am studying Horticulture in the third Semster in Osnabrueck, Germany. I am seraching for an interhsip place in the USA during the from July until Septembre. Do horticulture companies offer something like this?
I am spezialised in beeding plants.

Thanks for contacting me.

Simon

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Hello Sir or Madam,

i am studying Horticulture in the third Semster in Osnabrueck, Germany. I am seraching for an interhsip place in the USA during the from July until Septembre. Do horticulture companies offer something like this?
I am spezialised in beeding plants.

Thanks for contacting me.

Simon

Avatar for Allwin Allwin says:

We are largest producer of cocopeat and coir related products from India. Cocopeat is perfect suitable product for Perfect growing medium for plants, 100% organic, High water and nutrition holding capacity, Enhance strong and healthy root system , ood air porosity , Used in green house plantation, Used in Tomato, cucumber, rose, gerbera, and strawberry plantation, Used in Horticulture and Floriculture Environment and Perfect alternative for peat moss. Please feel free to visit http://www.allwincoir.com and our emailid [email protected]