Warren’s Southern Gardens began as a supplier of rocks, mulch and trees to landscapers in 2006 and became a destination garden center that caters to the homeowner. Owners Dean and Bernice Warren, who raised five children in the Lake Houston area but now live in Huffman, consider themselves more as business people than gardeners, Bernice said. “From our experience of supplying to landscapers, we know the service industry,” Bernice said. “Warren’s has good employees, master gardeners and others who have 30-50 years of gardening experience.” She said most of the employees live and work in the Kingwood area, so they know which plants do well, and they are familiar with the soil and insect issues specific to the area. Bernice said gardeners drive from as far as Crosby, Tomball and Conroe to visit the Warren’s garden center, which is on the westbound side of Northpark Drive in Kingwood. When the Warrens bought the 2-acre property in 2006, the lot consisted of rows of trees and piles of mulch and shale. A lone metal warehouse, which is now used as an office building, was the only structure, Bernice said. Now, as the garden center prepares to celebrate its 10-year anniversary in June, the center features paved walkways, a greenhouse, shaded structures and a floral department. Customers can shop for seeds, bulbs, potted herbs, flowering plants and trees, or tap the resources of a full landscape division at the garden center. The Warrens also own Warren’s Rock-n-Mulch on Hwy. 59 in Porter, which supplies rock and mulch at wholesale prices to landscapers. In February, the family purchased Earth Friendly on FM 1960 in Atascocita, an outlet for mulch for do-it-yourself homeowners, Bernice said. The bulk of the family’s business, however, comes from homeowners who visit Warren’s Southern Gardens to get plants and advice. “The paved walkways help customers meander the garden center,” Bernice said. “There really is a peace inside this garden center that a lot of people come for that they do not know they need.” Warren’s Southern Gardens 1675 Northpark Drive, Kingwood 281-354-6111 www.warrenssoutherngardens.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.