Our Roots

Folks of all ages enjoy the atmosphere at Popes Garden Center. Acres of trees, flowers, fountains, and ponds are right in front of your eyes. Just simply strolling through the store will give you inspiration for your own landscape.  The beauty of your stroll is by design, a meticulous plan developed by Popes staff to fulfill the needs and wants of gardeners. Greenhouses are filled with healthy, seasonal plants and foliage. The garden center is a unique collection of garden furniture, water features, statuary, containers and gifts. The Pond Shop, a fully-stocked pond supply center, complete with cascading waterfalls, water plants and fish is unlike any other. The first-rate nursery is stocked with beautiful trees, shrubs, perennials, herbs, ground covers and more.

For over thirty years Popes has been the place to go for high-quality plants and trees. Often referred to as a “destination” place, Popes is known for having rare and unusual material not found at your average nursery. Popes’ goal is offering quality and selective plant material at a fair price. Buying selectively, testing a range of vendors, and balancing mounting costs of freight is at the center of buying decisions. With plant material in particular, “seeing is believing”. With this in mind, general manager, Ben Blackwood, goes in search of premium plants, traveling through Tennessee, the Carolinas, Texas and Oregon. Supporting local vendors is key, and always the first choice when possible. Still, bringing in stock from top nurseries like Monrovia and Iseli is essential, assuring Popes’ products are better quality than the box stores. At the same time Popes takes pride in providing the right “accessories” for gardeners. Contrary to the latest trends, Crocs and handbags don’t quite meet the Popes’ criteria. Rather, gardeners are better served to arm themselves with hand-crafted garden tools, durable gardening gloves, and a good Gardening pocket guide for reference.

Owners, Jason and Marianne Spence handle the business side, while leaving the gardening decisions to “the experts’- their loyal co-workers. In fact, many Popes’ employees have well over ten years in the industry. If you’ve ever shopped at Popes, you know the faces. Best of all, they know, and make it a point to know yours.

Popes strives to find the right mix at all levels, in all areas. Free, educational seminars are offered nearly every weekend. Employees are urged to “teach” as they help, understanding the importance of such added benefits as the Popes’ tree and shrub guarantee, planting tips, and plant foods. Popes supports area schools, garden clubs, churches, Friends of the UT Gardens  and many other non-profit organizations. Unlike national chains and big box stores, our profits stay here and do good work in our community.