About Us  »  

Flowerwood History

Established during the last years of the Great Depression, Flowerwood Nursery has a long tradition of implementing practical solutions for real-world challenges. The company is still family owned and operated by Mr. Gregory L. Smith, Jr., the grandson of founder Mr. Harry H. Smith.

A hobby became a business. 
Like many Americans facing intense pressure during the Great Depression, founder, Harry Smith, was advised by his doctor to find relief from the stress of his career as an attorney. He turned to his love of camellias as a solution, rooting cuttings in hotbeds and then potting them into small clay pots to establish. Demand for Harry Smith’s plants forced a transition from a small growing operation in the Smith’s backyard to a 180-acre production tract on Dog River near Mobile Bay. Quickly, Harry Smith’s hobby had become a business.

A period of expansion.
In 1938, Harry Smith encouraged his son, Greg Smith, Sr., to return to Mobile after completing a degree in Business Administration at the University of Alabama, hiring him to manage the growing nursery. It was at this time, with father and son working together as grower and businessman, that Flowerwood Nursery was officially established.

Business grew as Greg Smith, Sr., established relationships with garden centers throughout the South. When the nation entered World War II, a pivot to stabilizing rather than growing the young business was required. World War II ended in September of 1945, and by November, Greg Smith, Sr., had been released from the Navy and eagerly returned to his role managing Flowerwood Nursery.

Through a coincidence of fate, Greg Smith, Sr., met Sidney Meadows during his time in the Navy. Sidney Meadows had a degree in horticulture and had done post-secondary work in plant pathology. Harry Smith recalled, “When Sidney Meadows agreed to join Flowerwood in 1945, we knew we had the right manager to take us where we wanted to go. He combined gentleness with business acumen, use of technology with common sense, and compromise with integrity and leadership.”

The Smiths, along with Sidney Meadows, sensed the optimism of the nation and correctly anticipated a postwar population boom in Southeastern cities. The decision was made to expand the regional footprint of the business to meet the demand of the market. 

Once the Loxley, Alabama location was started, there was a need to manage the day-to-day operations of the new nursery. Greg Smith, Sr. knew just the person for the job: Bob Duck, another Navy veteran.

Greg Smith, Sr., was known to say, “If you get someone who can do the job, get out of their way.” This philosophy encouraged innovation, and Sidney Meadows was empowered to improve Flowerwood Nursery’s production techniques. In the late 1940s, a nursery location was built in Cairo, Georgia. This location had good growing conditions, fertile soil, and was near the strong Tallahassee market. 

Our modern era and a focus on continual innovation. 
Through five decades of growth and innovation, Greg Smith, Sr. and Sidney Meadows continued to grow and expand Flowerwood Nursery, along with third-generation owner, Greg Smith, Jr. who joined the company in the 70s. 

The Smiths, Duck and Meadows were active in the Southern Nursery Association, and Flowerwood continues to be active in local and regional nursery associations. Meadows was inducted into the American Association of Nurserymen Hall of Fame in 1982. The legacy continues, with an active scholarship program established in Meadows’ name. Duck also served as President and Honorary Past President of the Alabama Nurseryman’s Association. 

Greg Smith, Jr. was awarded Alabama’s Nursery and Landscape Association’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2017, and he has served as the company’s President since his Father’s passing in 2002. In 1984, Greg Smith, Jr. decided to expand Flowerwood into central Florida and opened the Bushnell, Florida location between Ocala and Tampa. 

Planning for success continues.
Today, innovation at Flowerwood Nursery continues, with a focus on cultivating and mentoring talent, capital improvements and automation, shipping and transport efficiency, and online sales and fulfillment. These processes help achieve superior performance in selection, time, cost, quality, and safety, and we're proud to share our success with your business.