McMinnville, Tennessee: Nursery Capital of the World
It doesn’t take long for visitors to Warren County to realize the region is a natural wonderland. With more than 300 nurseries operating in McMinnville and the surrounding vicinity, the city has come to be known as the Nursery Capital of the World. Local growers ship their trees, plants and flowers to customers all over the United States. It’s a trade that has thrived in McMinnville for more than a century, thanks to the region’s fertile soil, mild climate and geographic location.
Cumberland Valley Nursery
Warren County nurseries range in size from one-man operations to long-standing family businesses such as Cumberland Valley Nursery, which dates back to 1902.
“I started as a partner at Cumberland Valley Nursery in 1988, and my wife Pat and I bought it in 1992,” says Phillip Pelham, president of Cumberland Valley Nursery. “My wife and I had both been growing trees all our lives, even before we met. Today we’re one of only two Warren County nurseries that specialize in fruit trees and sell them to commercial orchards.”
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Cumberland Valley Nursery grows 1.5 million fruit trees annually in more than 150 different varieties of peaches, plums, nectarines, apples, pears, cherries, apricots and almonds. Phillip’s son Nick is vice president of the nursery and started helping his father with the business at age 19.
“I love farming and being outside – it’s all I’ve ever done,” Nick says.
While Cumberland Valley primarily sells trees wholesale to commercial orchards, they also sell to homeowners. “We’ve seen a lot of homeowner demand from people who want a few fruit trees in their back yards,” Nick says. “We can ship anywhere from one tree to a whole semi-truck load.”
Phillip credits McMinnville’s geographic location as the reason for the area’s high concentration of nurseries. “If you go any further south, the climate is too hot, and if you go north, the growing season is too short,” he says. “McMinnville is an ideal location.”
Mary’s Greenhouse
At Mary’s Greenhouse, the focus is not on trees, but on annuals and perennials. The business is named after founder Mary Hamby, who started the nursery with her husband Joe as a backyard hobby around 1976. Mary died in 2009, but her husband and adult children continue to work at the greenhouse, which now has about 20 employees.
“My mom loved plants, and that’s how we came to be,” says Mike Hamby, president of Mary’s Greenhouse. “She liked trying new things, and people showed up to buy them. She loved to dig and weed, which sounds like work to most people, but it wasn’t work to her.”
Mike runs the business with help from his dad, brother Gary, wife Beth Hamby, sister Beth Jacobs and sister-in-law Charlotte. His nephew, Scott, works at the greenhouse part-time.
“We grow a huge variety of annuals and perennials, from impatiens to hostas, and sell them both wholesale and retail to the public,” Mike says.
Mary’s Greenhouse also offers ornamental grasses, vines, hardy ferns, roses, groundcovers, hanging baskets, herbs and vegetables. There are too many varieties to choose a favorite, Mike says, but he is somewhat partial to daylilies.
“We grow a lot of daylilies. They’re a good, low-maintenance plant,” he says. “If I want to get away from everything, I’ll go divide up daylilies. I like to watch things grow.”
Boyd & Boyd Nursery
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Please contact these businesses directly if you have specific plant requests or questions:
Three miles away on Smithville Highway, Boyd & Boyd Nursery is run by fifth-generation nurseryman Tommy Boyd. He took over the business in 1988, and it offers a large selection of shade trees, ornamentals, evergreens, and deciduous and ornamental shrubs. About 90 percent of the nursery’s products are sold wholesale to landscapers and garden centers, but they welcome the public too.
“We keep a well-stocked sales yard, so it’s easy for people to drive in and visit us,” says Tyra Green, office manager at Boyd & Boyd Nursery. “I love seeing all the people who come through. We get a lot of customers from Nashville, Chattanooga and Kentucky.”
If the dedication of current nurserymen and women in McMinnville is any indication, the region’s abundance of green-thumbed citizens is sure to carry on into the future.
“I’ve got a 3-year-old grandson who already wants to be a farmer,” says Phillip back at Cumberland Valley Nursery. “He lives and breathes John Deere tractors.”
iam looking for juniper shrubs, i will need about 40 low growing no larger than 1 gallon what would be the price and could get them?
Hi Debbie,
To find out about juniper shrubs, please contact the nurseries mentioned above at http://www.fruittreefarm.com, http://www.marysgh.com or http://www.boydandboydnursery.com. Good luck!
Thanks,
Jessy Yancey
editor, Tennessee Home & Farm
I HAVE JUST RECEIVED FROM YOU WHAT I SEE AS A SCAM. MY DAUGHTER SENT ME A “GIFT” FROM YOU FOR $74.85 AND I GOT A TINY BAG OF TOMATO SEEDS AND A TINY BAG OF PETUNIA SEEDS AND 12 POTS (SUPPOSED TO BE 42 POTS) AND 2 FREE THINGS TO PLANT. THIS IS ABOUT A $3.00-$5.00 GIFT. IF YOU DON’T REFUND HER MONEY, I WILL SEE A LAWYER.
Hi Mary,
Sorry you’re having some trouble. However, we are a magazine that wrote about several nurseries in McMinnville, and are not directly affiliated with any of the nurseries mentioned in the article. Please contact the nursery directly and hopefully they can help you out. Thanks!
Rachel Bertone,
editor, TN Home and Farm
And the verdict is?
I am looking for a litte leaf linden tree-either a Corinthian Linden or an American Sentry variety. Do you know if any of the nurseries there grow these trees? Thanks!
Hi Janice,
To find out about the tree variety you’re looking for, please contact the nurseries mentioned above at http://www.fruittreefarm.com, http://www.marysgh.com or http://www.boydandboydnursery.com. Good luck!
Thanks,
Jessy Yancey
editor, Tennessee Home & Farm
I am looking for a Meyer lemon tree. Anyone?
I am looking for a Meyer lemon tree. Anyone know where I can find one?
Hi Kathy,
To find out about the tree variety you’re looking for, please contact the nurseries mentioned above at http://www.fruittreefarm.com, http://www.marysgh.com or http://www.boydandboydnursery.com. Good luck in your search!
Thanks for your comment,
Jessy Yancey
editor, Tennessee Home & Farm
Looking for a tree we understand is named Drake Elm
Hi Larry,
To find Drake Elm trees, you probably should contact the nurseries mentioned above directly at http://www.fruittreefarm.com, http://www.marysgh.com or http://www.boydandboydnursery.com. Good luck in your search!
Thanks for your comment,
Jessy Yancey
editor, Tennessee Home & Farm
Do you EVER answer anybody’s question other than “contact the nursery above?” You sound lame.
I am looking for Joshua Trees. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Chris,
I’m not sure if Joshua Trees grow well in Tennessee, but you could contact the nurseries mentioned above – they’re the experts! You can reach them at http://www.fruittreefarm.com, http://www.marysgh.com or http://www.boydandboydnursery.com. Good luck in your search!
Thanks for your comment,
Jessy Yancey
editor, Tennessee Home & Farm
Hello,
I would like to travel to McMinnville from Paris, TN to purchase the following:
1. Crape Myrtles/Ruby Red Variety
2. Rabbiteye Blueberry Bushes
Please let me know which nurseries I may contact to purchase above varieties.
Thank You,
Gregory Fassler
I am looking for 25 plus bare root leyland syprus trees
I am looking for purpleleaf wintercreep plants in flats.I have 300 sq. ft.
to cover under a tree in the shade. do you ship UPS? Thanks, Bill
Can anyone tell me if a Joshua Tree will grow in Chattanooga Tn?
I am working on a landscaping project, in which I am adding a dry creek bed. I would like to know where is the best places to buy different types of grasses. I like sheep fescue, buffalo grass and any similar type of grasses. Also which nursery would you recommend for herbs.
Where can I find yellow transparent apple trees?
Looking for a paper-white clump birch tree. Would like to know the price.
I am looking for NEW Dawn Climbing roses or Zephyr climbing roses .
Do you know where I can locate ?
I AM LOOKING FOR A PLANT CALLED PIERIS JAPONICA MOUNTAIN FIRE
I would like to buy wholesale seedlinks.Can ifind them in McMinville?
Bob
i’m looking for source for plum trees, ponder rosea and burbank
Hi Susan,
I’d recommend contacting the University of Tennessee Extension agent in your county. You can find one here: https://utextension.tennessee.edu/Pages/offices.aspx
Hope this helps!
Jessy Yancey
editor
Tennessee Home & Farm
This is a great article and I know us Tn farmers works hard and sleeps harder.I don’t know a lot about annuals but they sure are nice. Cumberland Valley is a good place. We buy fruit trees from them and they are honest folks.
I am looking for an old fashioned horse apple tree. Does anyone know where I could purchase several?
Will Jiro Fuyu Persimmons grow in Zone 5 Naperville, IL? Please advise. I love this variety of persimmon. Is there any other variety that will do good in Zone 5?
Thanks and Best Regards,
Robert
Hi Robert,
For assistance, I would recommend taking with your local university extension agent. Here’s a link to their website: http://extension.illinois.edu.
Hope this helps!
Jessy Yancey
editor
Tennessee Home & Farm magazine
I’m looking for two plum trees; one red / one purple; one ripening earlier/ one later; 12-15′ trees; sweet taste fresh; I will probably pick them up, as I want to plant them soon.
Also; a dwarf or semi dwarf cherry. Maybe one red and one purple. Fresh sweet taste.
Does anybody have American hazel nuts? I would like two or three trees. The kind that are good to eat and look great in the fall.
I am interested in starting a small apple orchard in North Ala. and need some help on the type trees I should buy.
I’m trying to sell my gently used growing equipment anyone know where i could do that
We have been using Vita Products to help aide in the natural health of our plants. It hydrates, helps plants fight off pests and disease. We use this as part of a pest and disease management program.
HAVE U ALL HEARD OF A TREE CALL INDIAN PINK
We are wanting young transparent apple trees to replace a very old dying such tree. The apples on it are two sour to eat raw, but they are excellent for cooking.
They usually are ripe by late June here.
Please respond.
I like to buy some fruit trays and almond trays
looking for information on the nurseries who sell retail.
I have rose of sharen seeding 6 colors, mixed
25.00 a 100,also suger maple,rebud, an others.
I want to know if your furit trees grow in florida andhummingbird vine will grow hereand the 3-in-1cherry tree will and theroyal paulowina will grow here Thank you Bob Thompson
R U open today
do you have the very short grass ground cover muni grass? mj smith
im looking to replace a 4 inch dia. loose leaf linden tree. Can you help me locate a field nursery that might be able to supply this tree?
Do you deliver and plant trees in Hermitage, TN?
I’M LOOKING FOR MANHATTAN EUONYMUS L3902. COULD YOU DIRECT ME TO A NURSERY CARRYING THIS PLANT? MARION COLLINS mARCH 12, 2017
Two fraudulent competitors are giving McMinnville an untrustworthy name. Please investigate USA Nursery and Summerstone Nursery. Dead twigs are sent. They are calling them 1-2 ft trees. Root and dead twigs are barely 12 inches. Coming with no leaves or dead leaves. Stems break as they are dead. Your reputable companies should seek these sites out and I will file fraud claim against them. They will ruin your business if not stopped. I’m planning a campaign. Don’t order from anyone in McMinnville as most are scams. No return on their website after purchase.
Hi, I am a horticulture student at Amarillo College. Our horticulture program is young in fact this is its first year. So far our green bean plants grew pretty well despite all the disease we have breeding in our greenhouse.
I’m looking for a source of White River peaches. I live in Little Rock, Arkansas
I need resale hanging baskets. I live in greene county. Who are close and good prices?
Need fruit trees call me 217 690 9058
Ask for Tim
Farm , I need several hundred fruit trees call me 217 690 9058
I am looking for a bright red crape mertle
Wanting to purchase a red crape myrtle . Do you have any?
Looking for Rising Sun Redbud and not finding any in the Nashville area. I’ve noticed them growing in many yards in Franklin County
Do any of the nursery’s sell Hybrid Tea Roses
I am looking for large American Persimmon Trees. (20-25 FT ball and burlap) All assistance is appreciated!!
Thank you.