Our History
Western Garden Nursery has served the Bay Area for more than 60 years! We are a family-owned, full-service garden center.
Founded in 1961 by Charles Grimshaw and Ron Marciel, Western Garden Nursery was originally located on Hesperian Boulevard in Hayward. The sharp business minds of Charles and Ron quickly established Western Garden as a Bay Area leader in innovative merchandising of shrubs, trees, bedding plants, and landscape supplies. All their insight and creativeness established Western as a well-known and respected retail nursery.
In 1983 Ron’s general manager, John Tilford and his wife Randee purchased the business. For 15 years they carried on the same traditions that made Western a household name. In 1998 the property owners sold the land for housing ending 37 years of faithful service to the Hayward area. In Fall of 1999 John and Randee re-opened the nursery on its present 2.5 acre site located on the beautiful Vineyard corridor of Pleasanton.
After 10 years in Pleasanton, it was time for the Tilfords to pass the nursery to another generation. John’s long-time manager, Aires Souto, with the support of his wife Isabel and daughters Teresa and Christina, decided to take the helm. Although time has a way of changing things, one thing remains constant, our commitment to top quality plants and customer service.
