Colonial Gardens

What Colonial Gardens does

Colonial Gardens, now operating as Powell Gardens Colonial Farms, is a single-location retail garden center and horticultural services business based in Blue Springs, Missouri, serving the Kansas City metropolitan area. Founded in 1969 and privately held, it operates a brick-and-mortar garden center, greenhouse, and farms market with on-site cafe and event venue, complemented by a BigCommerce-powered e-commerce storefront offering in-store pickup and shipping. The product portfolio spans live plants (annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, houseplants, native Missouri species), outdoor living goods (patio furniture, arbors, fountains, statuary, pottery), garden hardgoods and tools, decorative rock, a proprietary PlantRight branded line of soils and amendments (Custom Grow Mix, Biolife 800+, Compost), and farm market items sourced from local vendors (Honey B Hives, Shelti Farms, Zen Donkey).

The business operates an event-driven go-to-market model: customer acquisition and retention are driven through seasonal workshops, Music in the Garden concerts, Alpaca Brunch ticketed experiences, Extension Garden Steward seminars, U-Pick berry picking, U-Cut flowers, private event venue rentals, and an annual 25% off greenhouse promotion. Distribution spans three channels: a flagship Blue Springs retail location at 27610 E Wyatt Road, a BigCommerce e-commerce storefront (store.colonialgardenskc.com), and a wholesale program for landscape professionals and other garden centers. Marketing relies on event programming, blog content, email and SMS marketing, organic social (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn), and a phone-number-based loyalty program.

Revenue is generated from five documented streams: in-store and online plant and garden product sales, cafe and food service through the Whistle Stop Coffee Shop (Thursday-Sunday, 8 AM-3 PM), farm market sales of third-party local vendor goods, ticketed events and private event bookings, and wholesale to landscaping businesses, with e-gift cards ($25-$500) functioning as a flexible prepaid instrument. Customer concentration is heavily diffuse across home gardeners and consumers as the primary persona, with professional landscapers and event hosts as secondary segments. The business has no app, no disclosed API, no AI components, and no proprietary software platform; its competitive moat rests on brand reputation (ranked #1 Independent Garden Center in Missouri and #64 nationally in 2025 by Garden Center Magazine), an integrated destination experience combining retail, cafe, market and events, and an institutional affiliation with the established Powell Gardens horticultural mission.

Name

Colonial Gardens

Legal name

Colonial Gardens

Website

https://colonialgardenskc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Colonial Gardens, operating as Powell Gardens Colonial Farms, is a single-location independent garden center, greenhouse, and farm market in Blue Springs, Missouri, serving Kansas City home gardeners and event hosts with plants, outdoor living goods, a proprietary PlantRight soil line, an on-site cafe, U-Pick experiences, and a wholesale program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Garden Center Retail

NAICS

Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240)

SIC

Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)

akta.pro primary industry

Plants, Seeds & Nursery Retail (Garden Centers) (CRAIAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Irrigation, Hoses & Watering Systems Retail (CRAIAIAD)

Keywords

• Retail garden center
• Nursery plant sales
• Outdoor living products
• Garden education workshops
• Landscape supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Blue Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail plant and garden product sales: In-store and e-commerce sales of plants (annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, houseplants), garden hardgoods, outdoor living products, decor, gifts, and seasonal items.
2. Cafe and food service: The Whistle Stop Coffee Shop serves drinks and cafe food Thursday through Sunday, 8 AM to 3 PM, generating revenue from food and beverage sales to garden center visitors.
3. Farm market and local vendor products: Sales of local vendor products including honey (Honey B Hives), produce (Shelti Farms), and other artisanal goods at The Farms Market.
4. Event tickets and private bookings: Revenue from ticketed events such as Alpaca Brunch, Music in the Garden, workshops, and private event bookings for weddings, parties, and celebrations.
5. Wholesale: Wholesale channel serving landscapers and other business customers with plants and garden supplies.
6. Gift cards: eGift cards sold in denominations from $25 to $500, providing flexible gifting options for plants, decor, and garden favorites.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Colonial Gardens (now operating as Powell Gardens Colonial Farms) is a multi-channel garden center and greenhouse in Blue Springs, Missouri that retails live plants, garden supplies, outdoor living products, and farm market goods through a brick-and-mortar location and a BigCommerce-powered e-commerce storefront. The company also operates the on-site Whistle Stop Coffee Shop, hosts workshops, Music in the Garden concerts, Alpaca Brunch experiences, and private events, runs U-Pick and U-Cut farm experiences, and serves landscape professionals through a wholesale channel.

Product overview

Colonial Gardens (operating as Powell Gardens Colonial Farms) is a garden center and nursery in Blue Springs, Missouri, ranked the top Independent Garden Center in Missouri and #64 in the nation for 2025. The company operates as a multi-channel retail operation combining physical retail (garden center, greenhouse, farm market) with e-commerce (BigCommerce-powered online store). The core product portfolio spans live plants (annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, native Missouri plants), outdoor living (furniture, arbors, fountains, pottery), garden supplies (soils, fertilizers, tools, bagged rock), farm market goods (local honey, produce, lavender products), and specialty food items from regional vendors. The company offers proprietary PlantRight branded products (Custom Grow Mix, Biolife 800+ soil amendments) developed in-house, operates an on-site cafe (Whistle Stop Coffee Shop), and provides services including classes/workshops, private event venue rental, U-pick experiences, and a wholesale program for landscape professionals. The e-commerce platform also features products from over 60 third-party brands including cast iron cookware (Smithey), garden structures, statuary, and specialty foods.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annuals & Houseplants Seasonal flowering annuals, greenhouse plants, and indoor houseplants for garden beds, containers, and indoor spaces. Available in-store and online.
• Trees & Shrubs Curated selection of trees and shrubs sourced from trusted growers, chosen for quality and regional performance, including fruit trees and landscape shrubs.
• Perennials Perennial plants that return year after year, including native Missouri species suited to regional gardens and landscapes.
• Indoor Living Indoor decor items and houseplants for home living spaces, served through the garden center's home category.
• Outdoor Living Patio and outdoor furniture, arbors, benches, fountains, bird baths, statuary, pottery, and garden decor for outdoor living spaces.
• Hardgoods Bagged and bulk landscaping rock, including decorative gravel such as Dakota 2-inch, Arkansas B&W, Ozark River Rock, Oklahoma Aztec, and Alabama Sunset varieties.
• Tools & Accessories Garden tools, accessories, and supplies for planting and general garden maintenance.
• PlantRight Custom Grow Mix Proprietary potting soil developed at Colonial Gardens, blending peat moss, bark, wood fiber, lime, and perlite at optimal pH for container gardening on decks, porches, or patios.
• PlantRight Biolife 800+ Soil Amendment Concentrated soil amendment containing over 800 locally sourced beneficial bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms intended to support healthy soil biology.
• PlantRight Compost 40-pound bag of compost intended for garden soil enrichment, sold under the proprietary PlantRight brand.
• BeakView Bird Feeder Camera Smart bird feeder with built-in camera for wildlife observation, with a compatible solar panel accessory available.
• Raised Garden Beds Raised garden beds including tiered wooden beds and mobile models with wheels, designed for deck and patio gardening with various planting depths.
• Garden Arbors & Trellises Garden structures including Metal Geometric Arch Arbor, Eucalyptus Arbor, and trellises designed to support climbing plants and vines.
• Lavender Products Lavender-themed food products sourced from Shelti Farms including Lavender Honey Syrup (3oz and 12oz), Lavender Scones Baking Mixes (Blueberry Lemon, White Chocolate), and Lavender Brownie Baking Mix.
• Colonial Farms Gift Cards Electronic gift cards available in denominations from $25 to $500, redeemable for plants, decor, and garden favorites in-store and online.
• Classes & Workshops Expert-led educational sessions covering seasonal planting, floral design, giftable containers, and gardening techniques for all skill levels.
• Private Events & Venue Booking Event venue rental for weddings, graduation parties, retirement celebrations, birthdays, and celebrations of life, with Spring & Summer 2026 availability marketed.
• U-Pick Experience Seasonal pick-your-own fruit experience on the farm, with U-Pick season starting June 6th for summer berries.
• Wholesale Program Wholesale purchasing program supplying plants and garden supplies in volume to garden centers and landscape professionals.
• Whistle Stop Coffee Shop On-site cafe at the Colonial Farms retail center offering drinks and cafe food, open Thursday through Sunday 8 AM to 3 PM.
• Colonial Farms Market On-site farm market featuring local vendor products including Honey B Hives pure local honey, Shelti Farms seasonal produce, and Zen Donkey juices.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Powell GardenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPowell Gardens Colonial Farms extends Powell Gardens' mission to connect people and plants through horticulture, stewardship, and lifelong learning. This partnership expands hands-on learning, seasonal experiences, and community engagement. The connection provides operational continuity and brand heritage from the established Powell Gardens institution.
• The Whistle Stop Coffee ShopcoreOthersThe Whistle Stop is a coffee shop and cafe located within Colonial Farms' retail center. Open Thursday through Sunday 8 AM to 3 PM, serving drinks and cafe food. Operates in the cafe space at Colonial Farms, creating an integrated visitor experience combining gardening and dining.
• Missouri ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts the Extension Garden Steward program at Colonial Farms, a free one-day seminar covering essential gardening knowledge and practical skills. This educational partnership provides community value and positions Colonial Farms as a learning destination.
• EventbriteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent ticketing platform partner used for Music in the Garden and Alpaca Brunch events. Tickets sold through Eventbrite for event access and reservations.
• Local market vendors (Shelti Farms, Honey B Hives, Zen Donkey)minorOthersThird-party local vendors featured at The Farms Market selling products including local honey, seasonal produce, and artisanal goods. These vendors provide diverse product offerings and community economic support.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Calloway's Nursery: Texas-based chain of independent garden centers operating multiple retail locations with plants, garden supplies, landscaping services, and recurring community events. Directly comparable to Colonial Gardens in omnichannel retail plant sales, multi-location independent positioning, and experience-driven customer engagement.
• Armstrong Garden Centers: California-based independent garden center chain with a similar mix of live plants, garden supplies, outdoor living, and expert-led workshops. Comparable to Colonial Gardens in destination retail positioning, plant category breadth, and emphasis on horticultural expertise as a differentiator versus big-box competitors.
• Sullivan Hardware & Garden: Indianapolis-area independent garden center and hardware retailer combining plants, garden supplies, and community-focused services. Closely comparable to Colonial Gardens in combining retail garden center operations with multi-category home/outdoor goods and event-driven community engagement in the Midwest.
• Moon Valley Nurseries: Regional garden center and tree nursery operating across the Southwestern US with retail plus landscaping/installation services. Comparable to Colonial Gardens in retail nursery/wholesale mix, large-tree and plant inventory, and multi-channel operations including a working growing operation.
• Alsip Home & Nursery: Indiana-based independent garden center and home goods retailer offering plants, nursery stock, landscape services, and seasonal events. Directly comparable in independent family-owned retail garden center positioning, Midwest US location, and integrated service + retail model.

Others

• Powell Gardens: Missouri-based public botanical garden that is the strategic parent/mission partner behind 'Powell Gardens Colonial Farms.' Related rather than competing, sharing brand heritage, horticultural programming, and operational philosophy around connecting people and plants.

Broad incumbents

• Monrovia: One of the largest wholesale nursery growers in the US, supplying branded container plants to independent garden centers including those comparable to Colonial Gardens. Comparable as an upstream industry incumbent that shapes product availability, pricing, and category mix for retailers like the subject company.
• Proven Winners: Leading branded plant cooperative supplying annuals, perennials, and shrubs to independent garden centers across North America. Comparable as a plant-brand incumbent whose branded SKUs typically populate retail shelves at Colonial Gardens and similar independent garden centers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Colonial_Garden
• Facebookfacebook.com/colonialgardenskc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colonial-gardens
• Instagraminstagram.com/colonial_gardens

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colonial Gardens