Danville Gardens was started around 1910 by Billy Welchel. He grew tomatoes and other vegetables in a large glass greenhouse (33,000 sq. ft.) until the stock market crash. He then lost the business to the bank and it sat empty from 1936-1939. It was purchased by Walter and Mildred Ahrens and they continued to grow vegetables and started moving into flowers in the 1960s. The Ahrens built a few more greenhouses to bring the total growing area to approximately 90,000 sq. ft. The Ahrens were in their eighties when they sold Danville Gardens, to Nathan & Lisa Campbell, the current owners, in 1993.

 

A PASSION FOR PLANTS

In 1993, Nathan and Lisa Campbell purchased Danville Gardens. While Nathan is an expert horticulturalist, Lisa studied biology and pre-med. She has learned a lot over the years. They initially started cleaning up from the beginning. There was a lot a trash (plastic pots, trays, glass, etc.) and they dumped 16 large dumpsters of trash the first year. They also started remodeling the greenhouses. The only original house was built around 1925 and they retro fitted it with automatic vents and polycarbonate covering. Danville Gardens now has about 100,000 sq. ft. under cover and fully connected for easy shopping in bad weather.

 

DANVILLE GARDENS GROWS 90% OF WHAT WE SELL

At one time, Danville Gardens was known for its farm fresh produce especially their tomatoes grown in their own greenhouses and shipped to Chicago. When the Campbell’s bought the business the main staple was flowers-especially giant geraniums. We send out a post card in the spring with all of the details of opening hours and new products. Join our mailing list by clicking on the link above and filling out your information.

 

NATHAN AND LISA ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING MAKE YOU A SUCCESSFUL GARDENER

Throughout the years, the Campbell’s have become well-known in the horticulture community. They have attended seminars, continued their education and were speakers at many conferences and luncheons across the United States. They are driven to get people excited about gardening. Their knowledge is passed along first-hand to the committed retail staff who also shares their passion for plants.

 

Throughout our season you may see them at many seminars and teaching gardening basics, new techniques and sharing any new knowledge we have learned.

 

NATHAN & LISA ARE ONLY THE THIRD OWNERS OF DANVILLE GARDENS

Over the years, the owners have changed, but the name DANVILLE GARDENS has stayed the same.

 

In 2002, Nathan and Lisa Campbell, were on the cover of the GrowerTalks magazine as Up and Comers for 2002.  GrowerTalks is a horticulture trade magazine who in 2002 reached more than 9,000 greenhouses in the United States abroad.  It was one of the industry’s most well respected magazines.  Being chosen as an Up and Comer was quite an honor.  The Campbell’s were chosen from a group of more than 30 nominees because of their innovative grown, excellent quality of plants and their dedication to their staff and customers. 

 

VISIT OUR RED TEAM

When shopping at Danville Gardens you will notice our Danville Gardens staff is wearing red.  We feel it is best for our customers to see our Red shirts in a greenhouse covered with lots of green.   Please do not hesitate to ask one of our employees to help you with your gardening needs; they too share the passion of gardening.