Pick a time, anytime-summer, winter, spring or fall. Lin Murphy, general manager for Platt Hill Nursery in Bloomingdale, says something happens there year-round.
“This is an all-season, cash-and-carry nursery for homeowners who want to buy and plant something themselves,” said Murphy. “And we give our customers quality plants, many of which we grow right here.”
In fact, 70 percent of all nursery stock, 40 percent of the annuals and 95 percent of all perennials sold at Plat Hill Nursery are grown on the premises. This is why there are no office personnel, says Murphy. All employees work with customers and plants.
And speaking of customers, an average of 50,000 of them walk through the nursery grounds each year to peruse perennials, buy bushes or pick the perfect Christmas tree.
In the spring, Murphy says, 30,000 perennials and 7,000 roses are potted to get ready for the customers’ planting season.
By summer, plots of perennials welcome buzzing bees and shoppers alike along walkways that meander through the nursery.
Rows of firewood (bundles run $3.99 and a cord is $240) hint that winter is coming.
“And this year we are very excited to have our Christmas Shoppe,” said Murphy. “We have tried to stick to a theme, so we chose ornaments that would be perfect for gardners. We have little gazebos and bridges and birds for people who love the outdoors. These were fun to select. I love my job.”
Delicate, white Santas (which look more like Father Christmases) stand sentinel in the Christmas Shoppe. They range in price from $39.95 to $399.95.
In addition to the gardening ornaments, fragile glass bells, doves and Father Christmas ornaments run from 99 cents to $19.95.
“We grow all of our poinsettias, over 5,000 each year,” Murphy said. “I enjoy watching our customers follow the progress of the poinsettias, which we begin growing in July.
Murphy says all of the Christmas trees, which cost from $19.95 to $159.95, are erected on stands so customers can walk around them for close inspection.
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Platt Hill Nursery 222 W. Lake Street, Bloomingdale, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 708-529-9394.
