I always look forward to meeting Tristate tree, shrub and plant growers. Most people don't understand how challenging and demanding their work can be or how dependent they are on forces they cannot control: changeable weather, water and fuel costs and customers' shopping habits.

        For all these reasons, we can celebrate with a family horticultural business that is celebrating its 85th year in business. When William A. Natorp was completing his horticultural internship in Germany, a requirement was to experience horticulture in another country. That is how he came to the United States in 1914. He fell in love with this country and decided to stay.

        In 1916, William started the Natorp Companies. His first sizable job was at the building we now call the Union Institute. Employees came to work on a street car, bringing tools and plants with them.

        When Mr. Natorp couldn't find the quality and types of plants he wanted, he started a nursery on Reading Road. People stopped by, hoping to buy plants. That is how the retail business began, says Ken Natorp, William's grandson.

        “My grandfather was very progressive,” Ken says. "He had the courage to get involved in the local Rotary Club and state and trade organizations when he was still trying to learn to speak English fluently. He also understood the importance of finding good employees and giving them responsibility.”

        William's son, Merten, was president of the company from 1955 to 1975. Today, third and fourth generations are running the business.

        Ken and his sons Kyle and Craig oversee three retail garden stores; a wholesale plant division; a landscape, design and build service and landscape maintenance services.

        Ken's wife, Nancy, manages the company Web page, www.natorp.com, and Craig's wife, Jamie, is a landscape consultant.

        “We're eagerly anticipating the fifth generation,” Ken Natorp says.
       

        For a complete list of local classes, workshops or gardening events,subscribe to Gardener's Network, a 28-page publication for Tristategardeners. (513) 542-2466; www.gardenersnetwork.org.

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