When Do The Ideas Of Gardens Come Up Saint Augustine

GREEN THUMBS UP

By Marcia Lane
Photo by Kate Gardiner

1690 A1A SOUTH • 904-471-0440 • SOUTHERNHORTICULTUREFLORIDA DOT COM

Southern Horticulture is the kind of place where customers sometimes come just to walk around and soak up the peace and serenity.

The family-owned business on Anastasia Island includes both a landscaping business, for residential and commercial properties, and a retail gardening center.

Owned by Bill Hamilton, Bryanne Hamilton, and Jean Dowdy, the business got its start back in 1979 when Bill graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in plant science. Bill's father joined he and his brother to begin the landscaping business. In 1993, they opened the retail gardening operation.

Bill states that the most valuable part of the business is its employees. This is the rare business where employees are called "dear friends" and considered members of the family. Many are graduates of Flagler College with degrees in art and design. Their collective talent is credited with making Southern Horticulture Horticulture the unique business it is today.

Bryanne Hamilton says she often comes across new settings and plant combinations in the retail area and realizes someone on staff has come up with a fresh idea. Those ideas often lead customers to decide that they'd like to duplicate the efforts themselves. "It inspires them as to what they can do in their own yards," she says.

At Southern Horticulture, staff members know what they're talking about when advising customers on what to do, and what not to do, in their own gardens and lawns. Having that knowledge to share is important, particularly to newcomers to the area, as gardening can be a challenge if they are not familiar with some of the problems unique to growing things in northeast Florida. There's a huge learning curve as new gardeners work to cope with deer, salt tolerant plants, salt water intrusion, different growing seasons, and soil issues.

Southern Horticulture

FROM LEFT, BRYANNE HAMILTON, BILL HAMILTON AND JEAN K DOWDY, OWNERS OF SOUTHERN HORTICULTURE, SIT IN THE SHADE OF THEIR NURSERY ON ANASTASIA BOULEVARD.

"We try to see the customer's vision, then find the best way for them to implement and achieve it in northeast Florida," Bryanne says.

The retail section offers xeric and deer resistant plants, native plants, citrus and other fruit trees, garden accents, birdbaths, and a variety of blooming plants.

Vegetables are also very popular. A huge organic vegetable garden is maintained at the business, which gives customers a chance to see what can be accomplished, as well as observe the benefits of organic gardening.

Customers also learn about protecting the environment, one of the issues that is meaningful to the family. As Southern Horticulture's website notes, "We will not sell anything that we would not use in our own gardens. We proudly offer many effective, non-toxic alternatives to harmful chemical pesticides and fertilizers." That concept has been important to the family since the company was founded.

Of course, the other big aspect of Southern Horticulture's business is the landscaping side, with Jordan Whitmire as landscape foreman. Design/build landscaping services are available, and principles of Florida Friendly Landscape are used as guidelines. Landscape lighting and irrigation services are also offered.

Experience the beauty of Southern Horticulture at 1690 A1A South, St. Augustine. Please call 904- 471-0440 or visit their website, to learn more.