Shades of Green

He started a lawn maintenance business while still in college and earned a degree in horticulture from Texas A&M University.

Shades of Green has been at its current location on Coit Road since 1999.

The business spans 7 acres and includes several greenhouses, a creek and space to grow trees to maturity. The nursery employs workers to take care of a multitude of flowers, plants and trees. The business also sells mulches, fertilizer, tools, garden art and pottery. Landscaping and design services are also offered.

There is a gift shop, artistically decorated with glass mosaics of giraffes, frogs and butterflies.

Artsy clocks made from tiles are also on display, along with Zen-inspired fountains, rocking chairs, handmade potted plants, psychedelic wind chimes and other garden paraphernalia.

"You can't do plants on the Internet," McCauley said. "You have to see them and feel them in a nursery."

The biggest challenge the business faces, he said, is balancing the difference between what customers want and what is realistically possible in the North Texas climate.

Shades of Green specializes in native plants that are suitable for the unpredictable and sometimes extreme Texas weather.

He believes four key elements are essential to create a great garden: color, foliage, texture and flower. A well-designed garden will have an integration of foliage and plants that work year-round, he said.

The Shades of Green staff is always willing to impart gardening knowledge on its clients, both at the nursery and through its website, McCauley said.

"[Customers] come to us because we give them knowledge," McCauley said. "There will always be people who will be interested in gardening."

Shades of Green

• 7401 Coit Road
• 972-335-9095
• www.shadesofgreeninc.com
• Hours: Mon.–Sat. 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.