History

Twenty-five years ago, several independent garden center owners began meeting on a regular basis to learn from each other as they grew their individual businesses. Over the next several years, this group expanded.

In 1996, ECGC Distributors, Ltd. was incorporated with five garden centers sharing ownership of the LLC. Staff was hired and the first Strategic Plan was adopted.

Today, working on the third Strategic Plan, ECGC is owned by ten of the leading companies in the US garden center industry. They are all multi-generational family owned and operated companies from Boston, Massachusetts to Seattle, Washington. There are 39 retail outlets, seven growing locations, landscape design build operations and offer product from annuals to casual furniture.

The offices are in Bothell, Washington, Richmond, Virginia and Charles Town, West Virginia. The staff consists of: Ellen May, Executive Director; Steve Leigh, Corporate Buyer; Kathy Scott, Foliage Purchasing Director; Linda Kling, Accounts Payable & Event Coordinator and Annette Liss, Administrative Assistant. There are 18 intra-corporate Committees to share experiences and work on vendor programs.

ECGC members are leading the way to redefining the garden center experience. From festivals to seminars to cafes, they can add the newest offerings from the plant world and the knowledge to make their customers successful.