What began as a patch of family land for raising thoroughbred horses has grown into a hometown staple for gardeners. Founded by her father, Victor Flaherty, in 1973, co-owner Sherri Harrah said Plants for All Seasons took root on property once owned by her grandfather.
He transformed the family land into a small family-owned business, starting with grass, Christmas trees and pansies. Five decades later, the operation has blossomed into a full-scale nursery offering plants year-round.
A family affair
Originally founded as a way to earn income with Flaherty’s firstborn, Kelly Kock, on the way, Plants for All Seasons is now operated by Kock, Harrah, and their brothers Cody Flaherty and James Flaherty.
Over the years Harrah said the area where the business resides and where her family grew up has expanded with various businesses and roads. Though Harrah said half the property was taken over by the state to build Hwy. 249, the businesses that opened as a result, including Home Depot, Target and Chick-fil-A, caused a 30% uptick in sales for Plants for All Seasons.
Plants for all Seasons offers a variety of plants, including houseplants such as orchids. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
“My dad made lots of sacrifices to keep the business going, and thank God he was able to do what it took to stay here because this area has really grown up around us,” Harrah said.
Today the business remains standing on 4 acres of land with its original greenhouse and an additional greenhouse built in 2021, as well as an education center.
At Plants for all Seasons customers can find a variety of florals to spruce up their gardens. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Staying local
Carried on by the next generation, Plants for All Seasons offers a variety of plants from pansies, herbs and vegetables to roses, cactus, daisies and tropical plants. Harrah said what she sees trending the most are herbs, backyard plants and houseplants. However to upkeep the value of homes, Harrah said she recommends people maintain the landscape of their front yards.
When it comes to building successful gardens, Harrah said gardeners should ensure they are using quality soil. Just last year, Plants for All Seasons launched their own soil, Dirty Dirt Soil, with eight varieties of soil.
“The most important part of the whole process is what happens under the ground or at the roots,” Harrah said.
At Plants for all Seasons, customers can find herbs. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
With plants sourced from local gardeners, the nursery also sells its soil to exclusively local nurseries and retailers.
“One of our taglines is ‘fiercely independent,’ meaning we're gonna protect the independent garden centers that are carrying our products,” Harrah said.
In addition to supporting local, Plants for All Seasons also offers its education center to local garden clubs and holds garden classes once a month.
