About

Howdy!
Welcome to Perennial Paradise! I have developed this site with the help of my good friend Kermit Johnson. Kermit, along with others, “believe in my dream of creating a paradise of perennials”. Perennial Paradise has been a long time in coming. About 15 years ago, I found myself assisting friends and family with their landscaping and I became known as the person to go to when people needed help with their landscaping. I eventually decided that rather than doing this for people for free, that starting a business would allow me to use my creativeness and help others see their dream come true for their landscaping needs.

Perennial Paradise - Garden Center, Bagley, MN

Through the years, my business Home Grown Landscapes grew quite well and many projects developed. As the years went by my design and landscaping ideas became more elaborate and detailed always with the focus of duplicating the homeowner’s desire for a beautiful yard. As with all of us, we come to a time that the body does not always the minds ability to keep up. I began to think of a way that I could continue my love for landscaping but with less stress to my body.

Perennial shade garden

I was talking to a good friend of mine one day named Lisa. She said, “What you are saying to me is that you want to create a haven of perennials. Why don’t you start a garden center and call it Perennial Paradise? ” So Perennial Paradise started. That was 3 years ago. Looking back, I remember someone asking me to pot up some plants. They offered to give me a few bucks for each plant. From that first dig, I dug a few more and more and more and before you knew it I had over 5,000 pots sitting out on a field to be sold. Buy 5 get one free! For 20 bucks! Not Bad! I advertised and made some dorky signs that I put out on the highway. The response from the public was outstanding and I sold 2/3 of my plants. It was at that moment, I decided Perennial Paradise had potential of becoming a garden center. That all started 3 years ago.

Landscaping by Home Grown Landscapes

Today, I have closed the book on landscaping and have thrown all of my energies into Perennial Paradise as a garden center. Each day something new happens and of course as people that know me, I am not lacking ideas. Thanks to Mary B and Ginger B for donating doors and windows and Josh G with construction for building Perennial Paradise and making it a reality!

A dream unfolding!

My mom and dad were significant influences in assisting me in design and belief that the ideas I had were significant and valid. My parents’ contribution of the redwood fence and wood for the pergola gave Perennial Paradise a touch of beauty.

Hosta in bloom.

Doug and Kathy S were significant people that saw my dream as a great possibility and did not let me go of the dreams when I wanted to give up. So goes the story of Perennial Paradise! It is my wish that Perennial Paradise someday becomes a place of encouragement.

Park-like garden center near Bagley MN

I believe that all people given the tools of encouragement can see their ideas and dream become a reality. I want people viewing this website to learn, dream and to believe in their own dreams of gaining skills and expertise in developing beautiful yards and landscapes that reflect their creative, emotional and spiritual sides.

My parents' perennial garden