I have chosen to write about Wade & Gatton Nurseries. The nursery includes a valley that is 390 acres, and another 400 acres that holds evergreen trees for Christmas. Wade & Gatton is owned and operated by Mr. Van Wade. Mr. Wade is helped by his three sons that work with him, and also his three grandsons. This business was started in 1928, with Van Wade being the fourth generation Wade to oversee it. He was raised on a farm by his grandparents, and ever since then he has been a part of the nursery business. He has never left that place he called home, so long ago. He has remained in the same place to run this family business. Mr. Wade does no advertising, rather he gives to communities because he believes this is the best advertising possible. He donates tremendously to gardens, and even gives a free plant to visitors on tours. He would like every garden to have a plant from Wade & Gatton in it.
Mr. Wade belongs to thirty six different garden societies. He believes that there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained by being an active member and encourages others to share this experience. Just since 1984, Wade & Gatton has developed an extensive collection of hostas. They currently have around 2000 varieties. Eighty of those have just been added this year. Hostas, we learned are the biggest money making perennial. Wade & Gatton also has a very impressive collection of daylilies, containing 1400- 1600 varieties.
Wade & Gatton has four different divisions. These include wholesale, retail, landscaping, and mail order. They have their biggest sales with their large shade trees. They ship these out to five states. In fact, just recently they shipped out many Acer rubrums with a 5-6" caliber to Columbus. Their retail business is offered outside to customers only. There is no inside garden center area for customers to shop. Their very small staff makes it difficult to work closely with too many customers at once, but retail customers still are welcomed. Their landscaping crews are well respected around the area, and often travel quite far to do a job. They usually have all of the plants at the nursery that they could use, but occasionally a plant must be special ordered. If this is the case, Wade & Gatton has 126 sources that they buy plants from. Their last division is their mail order. They frequently ship out hostas and daylilies. They have been known to send these plants out even to Holland and England.
Wade & Gatton pride themselves on customer service, and having the best looking plants around. Part of what makes their plants look their best is their irrigation system. They have the ability to pump from rivers and two wells. They have 150 automatic rain bird towers. Another secret to their success is the fact that they are located at the highest, and coldest spot in the state of Ohio. Because of this, their digging season is extended. They are able to dig trees long before other companies can. This works to their advantage.
Wade & Gatton is a truly unique nursery. Their customers come back because of their great service and respect for their customers. Customers and visitors to the nursery also can enjoy the extensive gardens that were all added one at a time. These gardens act not only as pleasure gardens, but also as display gardens to exhibit what the plants will look like when around other plants. Customers can use these gardens to get ideas for their own gardens.