English Gardens acquires Plymouth Nursery

The family-owned company is set to open its sixth location in Metro Detroit on March 1, 2019.

Aerial view of Plymouth Nursery in Plymouth, Michigan.
Aerial view of Plymouth Nursery in Plymouth, Michigan.
photo courtesy of English Gardens

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – English Gardens, No. 10 on Garden Center magazine’s Top 100 Independent Garden Centers list, has acquired Plymouth Nursery in Plymouth, Michigan. The announcement was made jointly by John Darin, president of English Gardens; and Jeff Jones, owner of Plymouth Nursery.

This marks English Gardens sixth location in the Metro Detroit area. The family-owned company currently operates stores in Clinton Township, Dearborn Heights, Eastpointe, Royal Oak/Troy and West Bloomfield.

“English Gardens has been looking for a new location in this market since we lost the lease on our Ann Arbor store in January 2018,” Darin says. “We are very pleased about this opportunity and look forward to servicing customers who frequented our previous store and meeting current Plymouth Nursery customers.

© English Gardens

English Gardens Shareholders (from left) Kevin Lowman, Debbie Lowman, Rick Vespa, Jeff Jones (Plymouth Nursery), John Darin, Lynette Walker and Bob Walker.

“Jeff and his team have built a beautiful operation. We plan to continue his tradition of offering high-quality products and services, while expanding upon the store’s selection.”

English Gardens will continue to operate the landscaping portion of the business, as well.

“We hope that many of Plymouth Nursery’s current team members will continue on with English Gardens,” Darin says. “We’re also looking to hire additional people to work in the store and landscaping operation.”

Plymouth Nursery will close on December 30, and re-open on March 1, 2019, as English Gardens Plymouth Nursery.

After owning the company for 32 years, Jeff Jones will be retiring.

“It is with mixed emotions that I am selling Plymouth Nursery & Garden Center,” Jones says. “I am sad that after 55 years this wonderful company will no longer be in the hands of my family. However, it is with great joy that I turn the reins over to English Gardens.

“I am certain that English Gardens will continue to serve the loyal Plymouth Nursery customers with the same high-quality products and services for which Plymouth Nursery has become known.”

The Plymouth Nursery name dates back to 1931. Jones’ parents, Wayne and Nancy, purchased Plymouth Nursery in 1963 from Pete Christensen of Christensen’s Plymouth Nursery. The Nursery was moved to its present location in 1973. Jones purchased the company from his parents in 1986 and has grown and diversified the business.

English Gardens Plymouth Nursery is on a 19-acre site at the corner of Ann Arbor Road and Gotfredson Road. The store features a 12,000-square-foot retail space and 12,000-square-foot enclosed greenhouse. The outdoor selling space is approximately nine acres. The store will offer a complete range of garden products and plants for indoor and outdoor living spaces. The new store will also offer other special services, including: Garden Pharmacy, where associates diagnose plant troubles and provide solutions; as well as a Patio Furniture Design Center for custom orders and design services.

The Outdoor Living Department includes patio furniture and accessories, and garden décor such as fountains, statues, accessories and garden art.

During November and December, the store will transition to a Christmas Center with an extensive selection of fresh-cut and life-like Christmas trees, wreaths and greens as well as Christmas lights, decorations and gifts. English Gardens award-winning Landscape Company will also offer holiday decorating services for lights and decor.

English Gardens Plymouth Nursery will also offer free weekly seminars and host monthly workshops and Kid’s Club events.