The Walnut Springs Family

 

Home  J. Alvin Smith began sowing the seeds to success early in his life.  Al grew up on the Gude Farm in Laurel, Maryland and was inspired by his father, Robert Henry Smith - "Smitty", and the Gude Family to become an ornamental grower.  At the age of ten, he began experimenting with growing techniques and producing varies flowers for the Washington D.C. retail markets.  After his first sale, he set life-long goals of owning and operating the largest and best quality nursery on the east coast.  While in high school, Al excelled in the sciences and he worked part-time with the Department of Agriculture.  He was trained by Dr. Neil Stewart and schooled on the technical side of growing as well as research and development of new fertilizers and pesticides.  After fulfilling his duty in the Army, Al continued in his research with the Department of Agriculture.  During the early 60's, Al began working for W.R. Grace and in 1964, he founded Walnut Springs Nursery, Inc.  Early in his business development, he decided to remain a "wholesale only" nursery and he began growing azaleas, woody ornamentals and rhodendrons for local garden centers.  Joining in on the foliage craze of the 70's, Al began growing foliage and poinsettias for the mass markets.  It wasn't until the early 80's that Al decided that growing springtime annuals in 4.5"pots & 10"Hanging Baskets was the proper direction for his wholesale greenhouse operation.  Rooted in quality and service, Al quickly realized that his future would be devoted to the independent garden centers and landscape contractors.

Inspired by his dedication to grow the best quality annuals backed up by superior customer service to the Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia region, his children became involved in the business fulltime in the early 90's.  In 1999, Walnut Springs was recognized as an "up and coming" greenhouse operation in the industry and was rated one of the Top 100 Growers in America by Growers Talk Magazine.  They were also awarded the Maryland Greenhouse Grower Association's "Greenhouse Grower of the year" for 2000.  Walnut Springs received the Howard County Economic Development Achievement Award in 2007.

Walnut Springs Nursery is family owned and operated.  Working with Al are his three children, Cortland Smith- President; Burke Smith - Vice President; and September Dalton -Treasurer.  Other family members include his nephew, David Ahlquist - General Manager and his son-in-law Mike Dalton - Sales Manager.

The Walnut Springs Family also extends to year-round and seasonal employees.  We have many employees that have been here for over 15 years. Their hard work and dedication throughout the year is essential to the success of Walnut Springs.
Our Family
Current Availability
Spring Annuals
Fall Annuals
Poinsettias
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Our Pot Sizes
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Please call or fax for PRICES 14812 Burntwoods Road   Glenwood, Md  21738
410-442-2299  *  301-854-6688  *  fax 410-442-1874