Stonehouse Nursery

What Stonehouse Nursery does

Stonehouse Nursery, LLC is a privately held, wholesale-only perennial plug producer founded in 2010 and headquartered on a single site at 9319 Lauer Road, Berrien Springs, Michigan. The company employs 6 people and serves commercial finish growers, grower retailers, and landscape professionals across the United States and three Canadian provinces through a network of 10 independent sales representatives and 11 broker organizations (including De Vroomen, Eason Horticultural Resources, McHutchison, Netherland Bulb, and Vaughan's Horticulture). All orders are placed via phone, fax, email, or through these channel partners — the company does not sell direct to consumers.

The core product is the PowerPlugs™ line of vernalized perennial plugs, offered in two proprietary tray formats: a 32-cell "Quick Turn 32s" tray (4.00" depth, 10.98 cu. in. volume) designed for 1-gallon containers and direct in-ground landscape installation with a 5-8 week finish time, and a 72-cell "Cost Effective 72s" tray (2.25" depth, 3.60 cu. in.) suited to spring quart and fall gallon production. A Custom Grow service accommodates varieties outside the standard catalog with a 10-12 week lead time. The competitive differentiator is a proprietary vernalization process — a natural cold treatment that begins in summer, moves through fall dormancy, and yields plugs with heavy crowns, multiple growing points, and deep, vertically channeled root systems that avoid root binding. The portfolio spans 307+ perennial varieties, plus grasses and natives/nativars, with new introductions released annually (2026 and 2027 seasons confirmed). Genetics are sourced through longstanding breeder partnerships with Walters Gardens, Jelitto, Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Garden Solutions (Chris Hansen), Plants Nouveau, and Roy Diblik.

The business model is straightforward wholesale unit-pricing with pay-as-you-go ordering and a custom-grow multi-week lead-time structure; pricing is distributed via weekly availability emails and downloadable PDF/Excel price lists. The company has no outside investors, no parent company, no M&A activity, no disclosed revenue, and operates with a small fixed team supplemented by its external sales channel. The trade tag-line is "Integrity in Every Root™." Sustainability practices include integrated pest management using beneficials and biologicals with no neonicotinoids.

Name

Stonehouse Nursery

Legal name

Stonehouse Nursery, LLC

Website

https://stonehousenursery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stonehouse Nursery, LLC is a wholesale-only producer of vernalized perennial plugs (PowerPlugs) based in Berrien Springs, Michigan, serving commercial finish growers, grower retailers, and landscape professionals across the US and Canada via sales reps and broker organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Nursery / Horticultural Plug Production

NAICS

Nursery and Floriculture Production (11142), Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production (1114)

akta.pro primary industry

Potted Flowering Plants & Bedding Plants Production (Annuals, Perennials, Plugs) (AFAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Propagation & Seedling/Plug Production (Vegetable Transplants, Tissue-Culture Liners) (AFAGAHAG), Nursery Stock & Propagule Production (Cuttings, Rootstocks, Grafts) (AFAGAIAO), Nursery Production (Woody Ornamentals: Trees, Shrubs, Roses) (AFAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Wholesale perennial plugs
• Vernalized perennial liners
• Horticultural plug production
• Nursery plug trays
• Commercial nursery supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Berrien Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Perennial Plug Sales: Stonehouse Nursery generates revenue by selling wholesale vernalized perennial plugs (PowerPlugs) to commercial growers and landscape professionals. Products are available in 32ct and 72ct tray sizes. The company ships PowerPlugs year-round with nearly all winter and early spring shipments being vernalized.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stonehouse Nursery is a wholesale-only supplier of vernalized perennial plugs sold under the PowerPlugs™ brand. The company primarily sells 32ct and 72ct plug trays containing cold-treated (vernalized) perennial liners, including perennials, grasses and grasslike plants, and natives and nativars, to commercial growers and landscape professionals. It also offers custom grow services for varieties not in its standard catalog.

Product overview

Stonehouse Nursery is a wholesale-only perennial plant nursery offering vernalized PowerPlugs™ as its core product line. The company specializes in two primary plug sizes: 32ct plugs (Quick Turn 32s) for 1-gallon containers and direct landscape installation, and 72ct plugs (Cost Effective 72s) for spring quart/gallon production and fall planting. They also offer Custom Grown Perennials for specific variety requests. Their product portfolio spans perennials, grasses and grasslike plants, and native/nativar selections. The company's key differentiator is their vernalization process—natural cold treatment that produces robust plugs with strong crowns and deep root systems for quick finishing times.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PowerPlugs: Vibrant masses of stored energy perennial plugs with heavy crowns and multiple growing points, ready to fill pots quickly. Their vernalized PowerPlugs result in quick turns for customers.

Products and services

• PowerPlugs™ Vernalized Perennial Plugs Vernalized perennial plug liners with heavy crowns and multiple growing points, designed for quick turns in container production. Available for perennials, grasses and grasslike plants, and natives and nativars. Sold wholesale to commercial finish growers, grower retailers, and landscape professionals.
• 32ct PowerPlugs (Quick Turn 32s) Large 32-cell plug trays with 4.00" depth and 10.98 cu. in. cell volume, ideal for 1-gallon containers and direct in-ground landscape installation. Most perennial varieties available in this size. Finishes in 5–8 weeks on average.
• 72ct PowerPlugs (Cost Effective 72s) 72-cell plug trays with 2.25" depth and 3.60 cu. in. cell volume, ideal for spring quart and gallon production or 1-gallon containers planted in fall. Cost-effective alternative to larger plugs.
• Custom Grown Perennials Custom growing service for perennial varieties not available in standard 32ct or 72ct sizes. Typically requires a 10–12 week lead time. All inquiries reviewed on an individual basis.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chris Hansen - Garden SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChris Hansen, owner of Garden Solutions, is known for SunSparkler Sedum, Chick Charms Sempervivum, Feathered Friends Ajuga, and HotCakes Delosperma series. Stonehouse offers varieties from this breeder who carefully selects foolproof varieties trialed under conditions that mimic consumer behavior.
• Intrinsic Perennial Gardens (Brent Horvath)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrent Horvath breeds and selects plants in Midwest conditions (hot, humid summers and cold, wet winters). His breeding goals focus on developing improved, durable, ornamental garden plants for Midwest climate and beyond that stand the test of time.
• JelittocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1957, Jelitto's objective has been introducing new and improved perennials to the world market. Breeding work takes many years until new and stable forms can be selected. Elite seed production involves hand pollination, observation over 3-5 years, and another 3-5 years until first saleable seed.
• Plants NouveauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlants Nouveau serves as architects for better gardens, introducing fantastic new plants from breeders around the world. Their plants are bred to make gardening more colorful, less complicated and more enjoyable.
• Walters Gardens, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWalters Gardens has made a name in the industry through their top-notch perennial hybridizing program led by head hybridizer Hans Hansen. They are the supplier of Proven Winners Perennials since 2011. Their genetics are worldwide and highly sought after.
• Perennial Plant Association (PPA)coreOthersPatty has served on the PPA board as Great Lakes Region Representative since attending her first symposium in 1989. PPA is the primary industry organization for perennial professionals. Stonehouse actively recommends member involvement.
• Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA)minorOthersSince 1922, MNLA is Michigan's oldest and largest Green Industry Trade Association with combined economic impact of $5.715 billion. Their mission is United to Advocate Professionalism, Integrity and Growth for Michigan's Green Industry.
• AmericanHortminorOthersAmericanHort represents the entire horticulture industry including breeders, growers, retailers, landscapers, florists, students, educators, researchers, manufacturers, and all market chain participants. Leading national association that connects the industry across states and segments.
• Chicago Botanic GardencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Plant Evaluation Program, managed by Richard Hawke, is one of the largest and most diverse in the nation and one of the few programs in the US that formally evaluates perennials. Stonehouse references their trial results (e.g., Vernonia 'Iron Butterfly' as 5-star recipient).
• Roy DiblikcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally recognized perennial expert who specializes in traditional and Midwest native perennials for sustainable plant communities. Developed the Know Maintenance approach. Stonehouse features his favorites as a curated collection. Roy Diblik's book 'The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden' published by Timber Press in 2014.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Pacific Plug & Liner: Wholesale young plant and plug producer serving North American finish growers with annuals and perennials. Comparable on tray-based plug production, broker/rep distribution, and contract growing for branded genetics.
• Green Leaf Plants (Aris Horticulture): Wholesale perennial and annual liner producer under Aris Horticulture, supplying plugs and starter plants to commercial growers. Direct overlap with Stonehouse on tray sizes, perennial assortment, and wholesale-only GTM.
• Walters Gardens, Inc. One of the largest wholesale perennial growers in North America, supplying liners, bare-root, and finished perennials to growers and landscape professionals. Direct overlap with Stonehouse on wholesale perennial plug production and a strategic partner/breeder for Proven Winners Perennials.
• Creek Hill Nursery: Wholesale producer of perennial plugs and liners based in Pennsylvania. Competes head-to-head with Stonehouse for finish-grower and landscape-professional orders in the Northeast and Midwest.
• Emerald Coast Growers: Wholesale perennial plug and liner producer serving finish growers and landscape contractors across the U.S. Closely comparable business model to Stonehouse: wholesale-only plug production for perennials, grasses, and natives, with similar tray formats.

Emerging players

• Jelitto Perennial Seeds: German perennial seed breeder and plug producer (since 1957) and listed Stonehouse strategic partner. Comparable on perennial plug technology and breeder alliances, though primarily seed-based versus Stonehouse's liner focus.
• Plants Nouveau: Perennial plant introduction and marketing company representing breeders worldwide. Listed Stonehouse partner; comparable as a specialty perennial supplier in the same trade channels.
• Intrinsic Perennial Gardens: Midwest-based perennial breeder and propagator (Brent Horvath). Listed strategic partner to Stonehouse; comparable as a specialty perennial producer targeting the same Midwest grower and landscape customer base.

Broad incumbents

• McHutchison: Large horticultural broker/distributor carrying multiple plug producers' catalogs. Comparable as a Stonehouse broker partner and channel competitor: competing plug lines are distributed through the same broker channel.
• Darwin Perennials (Ball Horticultural): Perennial breeding and supply division of Ball Horticultural, offering premium perennial genetics to wholesale growers. Comparable at the assortment/breeder level, with substantially broader portfolio and distribution reach than Stonehouse.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stonehouse-nursery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Stonehouse Nursery