Buchwalter Greenhouse celebrates 100 years

For 100 years Buchwalter Greenhouse has been a place of love for plants and community. With family ownership spanning five generations, the greenhouse features hundreds of varieties of flowers, vegetables, herbs, shrubs and trees.

More than 90% of its plants are grown on-site, which ensures they can thrive in the area. The business also provides soil, seeds, mulch and fertilizer.

It all began in 1926 when Ed and Rilla Hershberger purchased the site and established greenhouses to grow flowers for florists and hothouse tomatoes to sell to local grocers. In 1944 their daughter Clara and her husband Ellis Buchwalter started growing vegetables and flowers for public sale. Thirty-two years later, their son Bill and his wife Betty purchased the business. Their son Bob replaced the timeworn greenhouses when he and his wife Carol joined the operation in 1980.

In 1999 a retail facility was added, offering nearly 12,000 square feet of garden decor, flower pots, gifts and many other items including seasonal make-and-take plant kits. Shoppers also may choose from a large variety of houseplants and, with the purchase of a container, assemble their potted plant at the potter’s table. Spaces at Buchwalter’s are easily navigated, with paved walkways inside and out.

Upon Betty Buchwalter’s 2019 retirement, granddaughter Tiffany Sustar came on board as president and now co-owns Buchwalter Greenhouse with her father Bob, who serves as vice president. Sustar soon introduced the hosting of weddings and other events in their 6,000-square-foot English-style greenhouse. The space’s abundant flowers and greenery provide ready-made decor, and landscaped areas outside offer additional settings for pictures.

Sustar attributes the longevity of the business to a combination of factors.

“My family has been incredible at adapting to changing economic scenes and customer desires,” she said. “Everyone’s dedication to working hard together, as well as honoring God through everything we do, has also been key.”

Buchwalter Greenhouse is a full-service destination, offering help in finding the right plants, repotting, and addressing pest and disease issues. It provides gardening tips at www.buchwaltergreenhouse.com, its YouTube channel, and its Greenhouse Gals podcast on Apple and Spotify. The business may be followed on Facebook and Instagram.

Betty Buchwalter affirms the establishment’s sense of community.

“We’ve gotten to know many of our customers as friends,” she said.

Other offerings include garden workshops including private workshops for groups and events such as a Mother’s Day celebration and an overstock sale. A 100th anniversary celebration will take place April 17-18 and feature refreshments, door prizes, specials, flower planting and a scavenger hunt for children.

“This is a place where people can find joy along with quality plants,” Sustar said. “We are so thankful for our community, whose smiling faces make all the hard work we do worthwhile.”

Buchwalter Greenhouse, located at 6554 Back Orrville Road, Wooster, is open year round and handicap-accessible. Customers also may call in orders to 330-669-3489 for curbside pickup.