History of Swansons Nursery...
Swansons has been growing Greater Seattle Gardeners for nearly 90 years!
The history of "Swanson’s Land of Flowers" began in 1888 when Swedish immigrant
August S. Swanson and his wife, Selma, established a small flower shop in St. Paul, MN.
It wasn’t long until they bought land near the city and built a greenhouse.
The business prospered, but the winters were long and cold.
The couple moved their young family to Pasadena, CA just in time for one of
southern California’s coldest winters on record, then decided, in 1922, to come to Seattle.
They bought land “away out in the country” along a dirt road called 15th Avenue Northwest,
built a comfortable home, and started the cultivation that eventuated into the
new Swanson’s Land of Flowers, opening in 1924.
According to a 1958 newspaper article, "The know-how and the care
exercised by the Swansons also built a reputation for quality
and honest dealing that is second to none."
Time passed and the expanding city and its Crown Hill neighborhood
encompassed the location. More ground was broken and more greenhouses
were constructed.
August and Selma’s son, Ted,
who literally grew up in the business, succeeded to the management.
He and his wife, Frances, continued to expand the operations,
and do a substantial wholesale business in addition to their retail
trade. In the process, they raised three children (and numerous
pets) on the site and provided seasonal jobs for a long line of
neighbors, interns and exchange students from Sweden, Denmark
and many other places.
In 1976, Wally Kerwin purchased the nursery from the Swanson family. Under Wally’s guidance,
our staff has worked to bring and keep Swansons up–to–date, gradually converting former
growing areas to retail space. In the early 1990s, we added the popular Festivities (now Seasons Cafe & Bakery)
and specialty gift shop. In 1994, we re–graded the lower half of the Swansons property
to create an easy-to-shop nursery and garden center.
In 2001, we began building a series of European–design greenhouses to make
Swansons what it is today — more modern, covered, and energy-efficient,
but still steeped in personality and neighborhood friendliness.
Add to that our gardening expertise and, well, "quality and honest dealing that is second to none"
— Swansons is a truly unique nursery shopping experience.
We look forward to your visit!
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