Monrovia

Monrovia is a horticultural brand that grows and sells plants for home gardeners. According to its official history, it was founded in 1926 by Harry E. Rosedale Sr. as Monrovia Nursery Co. on a 10-acre plot in Monrovia, California. The company states that for 100 years it has been selecting and growing only the best varieties, and that its shrubs, perennials, and grasses are nurtured in a customized soil mix that helps develop a strong root system. Its official history records milestones including trademarking a more robust plant in 1941, establishing an in-house research department in the 1950s, relocating growing grounds to Azusa, California in 1953, building a nursery in the Willamette Valley near Portland, Oregon in 1984, and offering more than 4,000 varieties with 22 million plants sold annually by 2017.

In 1926, Harry E. Rosedale Sr., a young immigrant from Denmark, opened Monrovia Nursery Co. on a modest 10-acre plot in Monrovia, California, with the vision to make plants stronger and more beautiful for the home gardener. In 1941, Monrovia became one of the first growers in the U.S. to trademark a more robust plant (Rosedale Pyracantha). In the 1950s, it established a dedicated in-house research department to develop better soil for stronger roots and healthier plants. In 1953, Harry relocated Monrovia's growing grounds to Azusa, CA, adding several hundred acres into cultivation. In the 1960s, it was an industry leader in providing gardener-friendly labels on its plants. In the 1970s, Monrovia was the first major nursery to recycle irrigation runoff, radically reducing the use of water and fertilizer, now an industry standard. In the 1980s, it created an in-store tool, the Plant Finder, to help garden shoppers choose the best plants. In 1984, it built a new state-of-the-art nursery in the Willamette Valley near Portland, Oregon, to nurture conifers, maples, and other cold-hardy plants. In the 1990s, it partnered with leading breeders and plant explorers to evaluate the evolution of plants and bring unique plants to market. In the 2000s, it reviewed pest management methods, removed all use of neonicotinoids, and grew thousands of plants to maintain habitats and food sources for pollinators. In 2009, it partnered with plant explorer Dan Hinkley to launch its first exclusive Collection. In 2017, it offered more than 4,000 varieties with 22 million plants sold annually.

A grower of premium plants for home gardeners, emphasizing selection, customized soil, and strong root systems.

• Centennial Ruby™ hydrangea

  A new hydrangea released to celebrate Monrovia's anniversary.

• Landscape Legends collection

  A collection of the top 100 plants that have made an impact in gardens across the country.

1. 1Monrovia | Grow Beautifullymonrovia.com
2. 2Historymonrovia.com
3. 3Monrovia Customer Loginmonrovia.com