Possibility Place Nursery

What Possibility Place Nursery does

Possibility Place Nursery is a family-owned native plant nursery headquartered in Monee, Illinois, specializing in the propagation and sale of native trees, shrubs, forbs, and grasses indigenous to the Upper Midwest. Founded in 1979 (with an alternate founding date of 1983 noted in some sources) and operated by the Shaw family, the company maintains a catalog of over 400 native plant species sourced as locally-adapted ecotypes from Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Its value proposition rests on regional provenance, species diversity, and decades of accumulated propagation expertise rather than on technology differentiation.

The business operates a multi-channel distribution model comprising online direct-to-consumer sales (currently shipping to 10 U.S. states), seasonal on-site retail, wholesale and bulk sales, and contract growing for landscape-scale and conservation projects. Pricing is tiered by plant size and species, ranging from approximately $6.50 per pint pot to $140 for 15-gallon specimens, with hundreds of thousands of plants moved annually. Online listings cover 362+ SKUs, and the contract growing line allows the nursery to commit inventory to multi-season project commitments. The customer base spans individual gardeners, landscape contractors, and conservation/restoration buyers.

The company is privately held with no external funding, no patents, and no documented use of AI or advanced technology platforms; its competitive position is built on horticultural know-how, ecotype sourcing, and channel breadth. Recent leadership transitions — including the retirement of founder Connor Shaw and new operational hires in 2024-2025 — indicate an active generational succession phase rather than a contraction, with the multi-channel footprint and catalog breadth intact.

Name

Possibility Place Nursery

Legal name

Possibility Place Nursery Inc.

Website

https://possibilityplace.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Possibility Place Nursery is a family-owned native plant nursery in Monee, Illinois, propagating over 400 species of locally-sourced native trees, shrubs, and grasses for gardeners, landscapers, and conservation projects via online, retail, wholesale, and contract growing channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Native Plant Nursery

NAICS

Nursery and Floriculture Production (11142), Nursery and Tree Production (111421), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nursery Production (Woody Ornamentals: Trees, Shrubs, Roses) (AFAGAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nursery Stock & Propagule Production (Cuttings, Rootstocks, Grafts) (AFAGAIAO), Plants, Seeds & Nursery Retail (Garden Centers) (CRAIAIAB)

Keywords

• Native plant nursery
• Ecological restoration plants
• Wholesale native plants
• Containerized tree growing
• Locally-sourced ecotypes

Headquarters

HQ city

Monee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Online Retail Sales: E-commerce sales of native trees, shrubs, and perennials in 1-gallon and pint-size containers shipped directly to customers. Pints sold in multiples of 18; 1-gallons sold individually. Free shipping within Illinois.
2. Wholesale/Bulk Ordering: Bulk sales to landscape professionals, municipalities, and restoration projects with minimum 5 units per species or $1500 total order. Quote-based pricing through office ordering.
3. In-Person Retail: Seasonal retail store at nursery location open April-November. No minimum purchase requirements. Cash, check, and credit cards accepted.
4. Contract Growing: Custom growing services for specific species and sizes for larger projects. Requires 25-50% deposit depending on specialization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Possibility Place Nursery grows and sells native plants — including trees, shrubs, forbs, grasses, and grass-likes — propagated from locally-sourced ecotypes in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The nursery offers 400+ species across 1-gallon, pint, 5-gallon, 10-gallon, and 15-gallon container sizes, with sales through an online store shipping to 10 Midwestern states, a seasonal retail store in Monee, IL, and a wholesale/bulk ordering channel serving landscape professionals, municipalities, and restoration projects.

Product overview

Possibility Place Nursery is a native plant nursery offering a diverse portfolio of plants including Trees (76 species), Shrubs (79 species), Forbs (177 species), and Grasses and Grass-likes (42 species). The company operates multiple sales channels: an Online Store for direct shipping of 1-gallon and pint sizes, an In-Person Retail Store with expanded sizes up to 15 gallons, and Bulk Ordering for contractors with contract growing capabilities. Additional services include Consulting and Design Assistance, Speaking Engagements, Group Nursery Visits, and Gift Cards. Founded in 1983, the nursery specializes in locally-sourced ecotypes from Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Native Trees Native tree species (76 species including Sugar Maple, White Oak, Paw Paw, and others) sold in 1-gallon, 5-gallon, 10-gallon, and 15-gallon containers for restoration projects and landscaping. Available via online store, in-person retail, bulk ordering, and contract growing.
• Native Shrubs Native shrub species (79 species including Smooth Hydrangea and others) sold in 1-gallon and 5-gallon sizes for habitat building and landscaping. Available via online store, in-person retail, bulk ordering, and contract growing.
• Native Forbs Native flowering perennial species (177 species including milkweeds, coneflowers, Butterfly Weed, and Prairie Blazing Star) sold in pint containers (multiples of 18 online) and plugs for pollinator and habitat gardens.
• Native Grasses and Grass-likes Native grasses, sedges, and rushes (42 species including Eastern Star Sedge and Calamagrostis canadensis) for prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. Sold in pint containers via online store.
• Garden Starter Kits Pre-curated collections of native plant species designed for specific site conditions, intended for new native gardeners seeking a guided entry point into native landscaping.
• Gift Cards Digital or printable gift certificates available in preset amounts ($50, $200, $300) or custom values with $25 minimum, redeemable online or in-person for native plant purchases.
• Contract Growing Custom growing service for specific native plant species and sizes outside the standard catalog, available for any species in the catalog if seed supply permits, with 25–50% deposits required depending on specialization. Targeted at larger restoration and landscaping projects.
• Consulting and Design Assistance Professional consultation services for plant selection, site planning, and native plant landscape design, with free consultations available by appointment on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at the Monee, IL nursery.
• Speaking Engagements Educational presentations delivered by Kelsay Shaw (botanist) and Tristan Shaw (nursery manager) on native plants, wetland design, woody production, and landscape topics at libraries and community locations. Free RSVP events.
• Group Nursery Visits Guided nursery tours, talks, and shopping experiences for garden clubs and organizations, available by appointment at the Monee, IL nursery location.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces storm drain runoff through strategic gutter and rain garden placement
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Meadows: Vermont-based e-commerce retailer of native plant seeds, live plants, and wildflower mixes across the U.S. Comparable direct-to-consumer native plant e-commerce model, but operates nationally with seed-based rather than container-grown production.
• Bailey Nurseries: One of the largest wholesale nurseries in North America, headquartered in Minnesota, supplying trees, shrubs, and perennials (including Endless Summer hydrangeas, First Editions) to independent garden centers and landscape professionals. Comparable broad plant catalog but at much greater scale and as a broad-line supplier rather than a native specialist.

Direct peers

• McKay Nursery Company: Wisconsin-based wholesale/retail nursery founded in 1897, offering trees, shrubs, and perennials to landscape professionals and consumers across the Midwest. Comparable in Midwestern geography, woody plant catalog, and trade-channel focus.
• Prairie Nursery: Wisconsin-based native plant nursery specializing in prairie plants, wildflowers, and grasses for the Upper Midwest. Closest direct peer to Possibility Place in catalog scope (native forbs, grasses, sedges), regional geography, and direct-to-consumer + wholesale model.
• Cold Stream Farm: Michigan wholesale nursery specializing in native trees, shrubs, and evergreen seedlings for conservation and landscape use. Directly comparable product mix (native woody plants) and similar wholesale/restoration customer base.
• Hoffman Nursery: North Carolina wholesale nursery specializing in ornamental and native grasses, sedges, and grass-like plants. Closest direct peer for the native grasses/grass-likes portion of PPN's catalog and serves landscape professionals with similar contract growing capabilities.
• Midwest Groundcovers: St. Charles, IL-based grower offering native plants, perennials, and groundcovers across the Midwest with both wholesale and retail channels. Directly comparable in regional footprint, native plant focus, and multi-channel (landscape trade + retail) go-to-market.

Others

• Native Plant Trust (formerly New England Wild Flower Society): Nonprofit organization focused on native plant conservation, education, and a native plant nursery program in the Northeast. Comparable native-plant mission and educational content engine but operates as a nonprofit rather than a commercial nursery.

Regional players

• High Country Gardens: Santa Fe, NM-based e-commerce nursery specializing in waterwise and native plants for the Western U.S. Comparable native-plant e-commerce model and similar catalog depth of perennials, but serves a different climate region.
• Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs: Iowa-based nursery focused on native trees and shrubs for the Upper Midwest. Comparable product mix (native woody plants) but geographically narrower than PPN's 10-state footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PossPlaceNrsry78
• Instagraminstagram.com/possibilityplacenursery
• Xx.com/possibilityplc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/possibilityplacenursery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 Possibility Place Nursery