Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Steve Coppedge

GREENLEAF NURSERY COMPANY

Greenleaf Nursery and The Biltmore Join Forces

Park Hill, OK – (December 2, 2005) - Greenleaf Nursery Company, headquartered in Park Hill, Oklahoma, has announced an agreement with The Biltmore Estate of Asheville, North Carolina. Terms of the agreement include the use of the Biltmore Trademark, development and promotion of an endorsed selection of landscape plant material contained in the “Biltmore Horticultural Collection.”

Biltmore, a major tourist attraction is famous for its architectural significance. When built in 1895, as “America’s largest home” George Vanderbilt had in mind that all facets of the Biltmore House and Gardens from design to materials would be the “Best of the Day”. The quest for excellence led to a treasure who’s total greatly exceeds the sum of its parts.

Biltmore also has a rich horticultural heritage. Today, its several hundred acres of arboretum-like collection of millions of plants encompass the vision of Mr. Vanderbilt. Much of the nursery industry is unaware that the Biltmore Estate owned and operated, on-site, one of the largest woody ornamental nurseries in North America. Unfortunately a 1916 flood destroyed the nursery.

Randy Davis, President of Greenleaf Nursery Company, was quoted after returning from an evaluative trip to Asheville, “It was exciting to experience the gardens of Biltmore, from its vast vistas to intimate alcoves, this garden is a true horticultural masterpiece.” The grounds are an inspiration of the “Father of Modern Landscape Architecture”, Frederick Law Olmstead and his legacy. “It is our hope to explore, collect and reprise plant cultivars form this vast 100-year-old American treasure, along with new selections from our own nursery. The collection will be comprised of an evolving, continually updated “list of the best” containing varieties planted at Biltmore and selected from Greenleaf’s production schedule, or from other fine growers and breeders. By combining the recognition and consumer power of the Biltmore name to high quality plant material, it is the goal of both entities to provide an exclusive product line to the independent garden center market.”

Test marketing from Austin to Boston proved encouraging enough to pursue a greatly expanded product and support offering for Spring 2006. Contact Doug Baker at Greenleaf Nursery for complete information.

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