Get to know our native plant industry: Sandhill Growers

Sandhill Growers Nursery & Operations Manager Chris Holly at the inaugural 2013 Native Plant Show. You'd never guess that this handsome young man once had to be airlifted to Tampa General and recover the use of his leg through a long period of physical therapy after an oak tree limb fell him on him -- hazards of nursery work! We're glad he's still with us and growing native plants!

A wholesale grower and environmental services company located in Arcadia, Sandhill Native Growers & Environmental Services produces native trees, shrubs and grasses for restoration in sizes ranging from liner plants to 7 gallon. In addition to the nursery, Sandhill provides services for habitat restoration and maintenance and littoral shelf and lake bank planting.

Sandhill owner Tony Yacovetti is a director on the FANN board, advertises in every issue of our Native Plant & Service Directory, and is a major sponsor of the Native Plant Show. A Florida native himself, Tony, his wife Summer and two children Eden and Gabriel love their farm and the Florida outdoors. The family photo that appears in some of their advertising is a perfect symbol of idealized Florida small farm life.

Tony and his staff are proud of the performance and resilience of their native plants in natural settings. He planted Walter’s viburnum around his house years ago with no irrigation system or fertilizer and it’s doing fine. He marvels at how well the plants his crew installs on restoration jobs do with just one initial watering – if that – and no fertilization.

A careful businessman who greatly values time with his family, Tony has steadily added staff to help him grow the business. FANN is grateful to Tony’s family and crew for sharing this fun, smart fella with us!