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Secret garden now open to all

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By JESSICA BALANZA

jbalanza@tampatrib.com

Published: August 12, 2009

LUTZ - Tucked in a residential neighborhood and hiding behind the Hudson family home is about 7 acres of lush vegetation.

The land is home to Hudson Landscape Nursery.

The business, although started in Lutz in 1996, carries the legacy of a 50-year-old nursery that was well-known in Carrollwood.

But in Lutz, the family-owned wholesale business was a well-kept secret to most until recently. About the only people who knew it was there were landscapers and other businesses that bought trees, plants and other vegetation to complete jobs.

The downturn in the economy has caused the owners, Dawn and Joe Hudson, to open the doors to the public through the end of August.

With some signs around the community and online advertising, the business has gotten the word out on what it has to offer.

"It's an odd economy, and business has been slow," said co-owner Dawn Hudson. "We are opening our doors for a peek, to slim down our inventory."

So far, the result has been positive.

"When you come in there is so much to see," said Rhonda Mitchell of Wesley Chapel. "There are a lot of nice little treasures to find."

"We are known in the business for having odd things such as European fan palm that is 12 years old or a potted bamboo that's about 30 feet," Dawn Hudson said.

The nursery also has items such as crape myrtles, bromeliads and Chinese fan palms.

Both Dawn and Joe Hudson think opening up to the public is a win-win situation because they are reducing their inventory and are selling items at wholesale prices.

The expertise the Hudsons have is from information passed down from generations. Joe Hudson's grandparents started the nursery in 1955 in Carrollwood, off North Dale Mabry Highway.

"Another phase is starting in the business where people want to know what grows and how to make it grow in Florida," Dawn said. "And we have that expertise."

Back in the 1950s and '60s, the nursery was not only a place to buy plants, but also where people could go to have weekend retreat or walk through a garden.

After the death of Joe's parents, Ken and Ruth, the nine remaining Hudson children decided to sell the land, which has been on the market since 2005.

But Joe decided to start his own nursery and carry the family name in Lutz. And he also tries to follow some traditions, such as passing on the family expertise.

During the summer, many of the neighborhood youngsters work at the nursery along with Andrew, the Hudsons' son.

"It really has been wonderful for the neighborhood kids to learn this," Dawn said.

Both Joe and Dawn teach the youngsters about plants, how to grow them and what it takes to manage the business.

GET TO KNOW

WHAT: Hudson Landscape Nursery

WHERE: 1918 Green Meadow Drive, Lutz

HOURS: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday

INFORMATION: (813) 949-8239

Community producer Jessica Balanza can be reached at (727) 451-2342.

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