Woodlanders’ Legacy Continues in Aiken.
We reached out to new owner of Woodlanders Nursery to find out the question that has been buzzing around town as to “What’s that on the corner up from the Farmers Market?”. Well, it’s a pretty big deal, it’s the new site of the renowned rare & exotic plant nursery Woodlanders, as seen through the eyes of its new owner Fiona Von Grey.
Fiona is from Atlanta, with family ties in Aiken, she discovered the rare plants nursery Woodlanders and fell in love with its history.
Woodlanders was founded in 1979, by Robert and Julia Mackintosh who settled in Aiken after moving from Grenada in the West Indies and started building their plant collection, including both rare and native plants and connecting with other horticulturalists in the area. They then began their business through mail order purchasing. When the founders decided to retire to Raleigh, head horticulturalists Bob McCartney and George Mitchell took over the business. Fiona acquired Woodlanders in June as owner but sees herself more as a keeper of the history, “I am more a steward of the legacy of Woodlanders, I’m really carrying on the contribution that both Bob and George have made to the plant community.” Originally on the corner of Beaufort and Colleton Street, Woodlanders is now on the corner of Park and Williamsburg, just down from the Farmers Market, adding to the agritourism value of Aiken.
Fiona, while not having a formal horticultural background, is a plant lover, gardener and completed her undergrad from Emory University in medical botany. She was also introduced to Ayurvedic medicine while living in India, which has also contributed to her love of plants.
Flowering vines, shrubs, perennials, large trees and other woody plants as well as subtropicals are varieties you will find at the nursery. They also have a collection of cold hardy edible citrus hybrids of lemons, oranges and citrange, among other plants.
Woodlanders is back to mail order shipping and local pickup, with plans for having a store front next year, and they will be be hosting an opening event Friday October 25th at their new location, 25 Park Ave SE, Aiken, SC 29801.
Go check them out and meet Fiona as well! “We are very excited to welcome you on site with an opening party complete with food, drinks & good ol' plant nerdiness.” They are also planning a spring event.
Q&A With Fiona
H&H : Has there been anyone in Aiken that has been a support system?
Fiona: It’s been primarily the former owners Bob McCartney and George Mitchell, George is still a partner in Woodlanders. They’ve been incredible. I’ve been able to connect with people which have been part of the city, which has been so wonderful, Stuart has welcomed us in as the City Manager and has been incredibly supportive. Even neighbors around here that ride by and say “Hi!”.
H&H: Favorite restaurants?
Fiona: There’s so many – I love Salty Tomatoes, I stop by New Moon & Polo Grounds all the time, Macaluso’s, their meatballs are delicious. I also love the Farmers Market so much; I try to stock up!
