All for one & one for all

For hort lovers in Central Ohio, Oakland Nursery is nirvana—maybe even nirvana to the Nth power. To borrow the parlance of the day, Oakland has an “app” for that, whatever your “that” might be.

Garden center? How about three locations, in the burghs of Columbus, Delaware and Dublin?

Need some nursery stock? The company’s sister business, Acorn Farms, comprises 800 acres spreading over four towns and grows thousands of plants for customers throughout the Midwest. For the record, Oakland subsidiaries grow and sell more than 300 varieties of roses alone.

How about landscape design and installation services? Check. Likewise, interiorscapes and streetscapes. For good measure, the company also provides irrigation and lighting systems. And Oakland Pottery is a division of Oakland Nursery importing home décor ceramics from Bulgaria.

In a nutshell, Oakland Nursery (www.oaklandnursery.com) has made bigger better. From the morning founder Gustav Reiner opened the business in 1940 to today, Oakland has forged what might be the country’s premier nursery and horticultural services business.

Those last five words are how the current Reiners refer to their operation in promotional material. It’s an apt description, for sure. “We like to think that whatever it is that our customers need, they’ll find it with us,” Paul said. “We’re definitely a full-service business.”

The Story
Reiner said his company’s mantra is simple: “We’re here for our customers.” To that end, Oakland is ever-evolving to meet customer needs. Historically speaking, the company’s first customers entered the doors seven decades ago when Gustav opened the business on Maize Pike in Columbus, Ohio. The nursery was relocated in 1950 to its current location on Oakland Park Avenue. Over time, the Delaware and Dublin locations were created, as well as the various ancillary arms of the company that have served to distinguish it from the competition.
 

Growin’ & Goin’
Oakland Design Associates is the landscaping subsidiary serving residential and commercial customers with a full range of landscaping services. Oakland Irrigation is the irrigation end of the business, serving residential and commercial customers with planning, installation and maintenance. Oakland Irrigation also installs and maintains fountains, decorative ponds and other types of water features.

Oakland Pottery is the newest division, beginning in 2001 when the company started importing home décor ceramics that are sold wholesale to resorts, furniture stores, galleries and home décor shops.

“We try to be diverse with what we offer,” Paul Reiner said. “I think that gives us an advantage—and will give us an advantage in the future. Our quest is to be a total horticultural entity, and I think we’ve done a pretty good job of doing that.”