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Our roots

Family owned & Locally Grown

Since 1936
Our Beginning as Emma’s Perennials

The Growing Place has been family-owned and operated for over 80 years. Emma and Fritz Glatzhofer started selling field-grown, high quality perennials in 1936 at what would eventually become the Naperville location.

Today, The Growing Place operates two garden centers in the Chicagoland area offering a wide selection of plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs, as well as garden supplies, garden décor, and pottery.

Fun Fact – Some of the plants from Emma’s original gardens are still in our Learning Gardens in Naperville and Aurora.

Becoming The Growing Place

In 1973, Rich Massat—Emma and Fritz’s nephew—and his wife, Carol, undertook the challenge of restoring Emma’s Perennials. For the first few years they continued to propagate and dig up perennials from the ground but eventually began growing plants in containers to keep up with demand. 

This allowed them to expand their selection to offer perennials, roses, annuals, trees, shrubs, fruits, and vegetables and maintain the high standards they’re known for.

In 1976, Rich and Carol renamed Emma’s Perennials to The Growing Place Nursery & Flower Farm. Most of the perennial beds were converted to Learning Gardens that have grown to include 800+ plant varieties.

GROWING THE GROWING PLACE

Since the first days of Rich and Carol’s gardening adventure, they’ve made it their mission to deliver uncompromising quality and selection, garden inspiration and garden guidance.

In the early 90’s they opened the Aurora location after realizing they needed a lot more space to again keep up with demand. Originally planned as a production-only facility, it has evolved to include a beautiful retail space, Learning Gardens and the same healthy selections of plants.

Fun Fact – In 2000, Carol purchased a 19th-century farmhouse for $300. Originally located on the Hageman Farm where Ogden and 75th Street meet, it’s now a cornerstone of the Aurora property. Inside you’ll find our Gift Shop filled with home and garden accents.

THE NEXT GENERATION

Rich and Carol’s children, Michael and Becca, spent many days growing up at The Growing Place. Today they’ve taken the helm and are excited to evolve the company to meet the needs of current and future gardeners with quality plants, exceptional service, and inspiration for all.