History
Kathy and I started Hornbaker Gardens in 1987. Prior to that, I practiced law in Princeton for thirteen years, and Kathy had taught school. In 1976, we bought 14 acres of isolated ground, upon which stood an abandoned homestead-a perfect place to build a house and raise a family. Little did we dream that someday we would be inviting the world to come share our lovely hideaway.
After we purchased the farm, I thought about the possibility of making a living on it. Kathy and I were both avid gardeners, so I thought perhaps we could develop a market for organically grown fruits and vegetables while Kathy thought that growing perennial flowers was a possibility.
Over the next few years while we started raising our family, I was busy planting fruit trees, strawberry plants, and raspberry bushes. A small pick-your-own business, known as Horn's Berry Farm, was started. It was a lot of work for not much money, but was a great learning experience.
From 1984 through 1986, we experimented with growing hardy mums in pots, and were encouraged by their success. In July of 1986, I attended a week-long symposium of the newly formed Perennial Plant Association. I came back very enthusiastic about the future of perennials, and in love with a plant called a hosta. That fall, the berries were plowed under, and plans were laid for the start of a perennial nursery. I informed my very surprised law partners that I was leaving the law practice to start a new business—Hornbaker Gardens.
Initially, we started as a wholesale-only business. But in 1988, we held an Open House to let the local folks come out and view our operation, and to see if a retail operation had possibilities. The overwhelming response at that time made it clear that a retail operation should be started.
Everything seemed to take off from there. By 1990, Hornbaker Gardens was open seven days a week. Today, we are a retail garden center and nursery. We still grow a few mums, but ornamental grasses and trees and shrubs are where our fall focus is these days. A daylily collection was
