Magic Growers closed its gates for the last time on March
10, 2023.
As horticulturists and lovers of
plants we understand well, that for everything there is a season and we have
enjoyed a very long and productive one!
Forty-three years ago, an avid home
gardener dreamed of having a nursery of his own. That dream became Magic
Growers, a unique, progressive wholesale nursery, located in a beautiful
foothill canyon in Pasadena, Ca. that was dedicated to growing natures “magic”.
The dreamer recruited two
nurserymen, from the renowned Burkard Nurseries, by giving them the opportunity
to become partners in the business. One became the only production manager
Magic ever had. The dreamer then gathered up a handful of investors, got his
kids and wife to help and they went to work. His son, who was the first
employee, became a partner and our only operations manager. With that core
group and his goal “to enhance the enjoyment of life by beautifying the
landscape” Magic Growers came to life and did just that.
Magic Growers lived the dream for
over 42 years propagating, nurturing, and growing millions of unique, new, and
unusual plants. Initially focused on flowering herbaceous perennials, Magic
soon built a following. Over time, the plant pallet included heritage landscape
roses, Mediterraneans, succulents, California natives
and many other plants that were “California appropriate”. We even grew quite a
few “green” roofs and walls, some being the first large scale installations in
Southern California.
At one time, we were frequently
referred to by many landscapers as the “oddball” growers because we choose to
grow unique, unusual plants that were unfamiliar to the trade. We’re proud that
we did choose a different path. Along with a handful of other progressive
growers, many who started around the same time we did, helped usher in a whole
new era of plant materials.
Magic wouldn’t have lasted so long
without all the terrific people that have been part of our staff team
throughout the years. So many wonderful staff but, our unwavering Dutch sales
rep and our very amiable inside salesman, who each worked 34 years with us, get
special recognition. For most of our clients, most of our years, those two guys
were Magic Growers. To them and all the other staff (many with decades long
tenures), who did the hard work, day in and day out, you made it possible to
produce and distribute such high quality and appreciated plants. Our heartfelt
thanks to all of you!
One of the best parts of this
industry has always been the wonderful, kind, and friendly people in it….
Magic was very fortunate to have
had so many outstanding vendor partners. Several with whom we have enjoyed
relationships with from the start or for many, many years. Thank you to all of
you, we are grateful for your knowledge, products, and assistance!
And then there were the hundreds of
retail nurseries, landscapers, designers, architects, and institutional buyers
who embraced what we did and bought our plants. Our sincere appreciation for
your patronage and, the many friendships built along the way. Thank you so much
for paying us to do what we enjoyed doing and for giving millions of plants
good homes!
For everything there is a season, there
is a time, and it is our time to bring down the curtain, to say “so long”, to
find out what the next opportunities and adventures will be. This is the end of
one special dream but, who knows, maybe it’s also the beginning of someone
else’s…… guess we’ll have to wait and see.
It’s been our privilege and
pleasure to work with, grow, serve, provide, and bring a bit of “magic” to all
of you for nearly 43 years!
And finally, the most important
thank you of all, here’s to Bert, the dreamer, who made all
of the magic possible!