Flora Grubb is a person

“I think we’ve really confused people with this idea that you need to find your passion. I don’t believe that passion is some precious diamond hiding somewhere that you discover.

I think passion is much more like a garden.

You invest a little, and you get a little. Then you invest more, and you get more. And over time, it becomes something that can hold your attention and your energy.”

Under Flora’s leadership, Flora Grubb Gardens has remained committed to “making lavishly beautiful gardens that require minimal water and chemicals to maintain.” Every display, plant, and design element reflects Flora’s belief that gardens are not luxuries or possessions, but living, evolving environments that teach us about impermanence, interconnection, and care.

She often says that her stores should feel like “a dream of a garden” — immersive, inspiring spaces that invite people to reimagine how they might live outdoors. The nursery’s design-driven approach helps visitors visualize not just what to plant, but how to inhabit their landscapes beautifully and sustainably.

Flora’s warmth as a collaborator and educator shines through everything she does. She’s built her business as a haven for people who want to work among plants, creating meaningful blue-collar jobs for artists in the medium of living things. Her staff share knowledge daily — on the sales floor, in the greenhouse, and across seasons. Many go on to start their own design firms, write garden books, or contribute to California’s thriving garden culture. Others stay for decades, becoming the heart of the nursery itself.

Behind the scenes, Saul Nadler and longtime General Manager Gregg Opgenorth oversee Grubb & Nadler Nurseries — a vertically integrated growing operation that produces roughly 80% of the plants sold at Flora Grubb Gardens. This control over quality and supply allows the business to keep prices stable, champion rare species, and maintain the highest horticultural standards even as the industry evolves.