Shady Oak Farm nursery blooms in 20th season

Many people in the Cape Region may not know it, but hidden just a few miles through the thick woods located off Route 5 in Harbeson lies a place where thousands of native plants grow extra healthy and hearty.

The 20-acre plot of land holds a nursery that has been used as a secret weapon by local landscapers for years - a place to find crepe myrtles of every size and color, and small plants and flowers - even when they are out of season.

Growing itself into a special niche in Sussex County, the nursery at Shady Oak Farm stands greener and more expansive than ever. In fact, what started two decades ago as a few flowers and shrubs grown by owner Jeff Wagner has blossomed into the apex of Delaware greeneries, the origin of many decorative plants seen adorning local businesses and homes today.

Like many of the large trees and woody ornamentals rooted on the Shady Oak Farm grounds, Wagner said he has been happy to see his business grow stronger year by year. Supported by his best customers, regional landscaping companies, he now enjoys the 20th year of operation of his industry-leading wholesale nursery.

“We started with only three greenhouses on the property and ever since we have basically been here for the convenience of local landscapers,” said Wagner. “They have been our bread and butter, and we couldn’t have gotten to where we are today without them.”

Wagner said his operation is a team effort, and the employees at Shady Oak have been responsible for much of the success of his business. Noting each employee holds a special agricultural expertise, he said he has been able to grow plants to fill the needs of almost every customer, and he soon plans to add more.

“Right now we have over 70 greenhouses filled with 70 species of shrubs, trees and perennials,” said employee Ryan Shimp, a sales manager for Shady Oak.

“These plants are native to Delaware and grow in this area very well.”

Shimp said the best-selling plants at Shady Oak have traditionally been small to large ornamentals such as Green Giants, Cleveland Selects and Autumn Blaze trees. However, the company has also been well known for offering a selection of ornamental grasses and perennials.

While for the past two decades Shady Oak has remained open solely as a wholesale operation, the company recently opened its doors to the retail market as well.

Welcoming customers to the business’s new retail garden center, flower specialists Tina Ablang and Sharon News are now showing off Shady Oak’s wide range of colorful flowers.

Open to customers seeking just about anything to fill in their garden, Ablang and News have been busy arranging eclectic assortments of the best-growing flowers in the region.

Ablang said the change to adding retail sales and keeping the wholesale operations has worked out especially well for the company, because it now is available to everyday customers and can keep prices low for local landscapers.

She said now customers can take advantage of Shady Oak’s resources to make their landscape more beautiful than ever. Shady Oak Farm, located at 20472 Doddtown Road in Harbeson, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday.

Learn more at: 302-856-7178 or shadyoakfarm.net