our History

In 1950, Harold and Jeanne Barnes established a small rose growing business in Huron Township and called it Barnes Roses. During 1962 was the peak of the rose growing days at Barnes Roses. Harold, Jeanne and son, Bob, planted 150,000 rose bushes that year. The average price of a rose bush was $3.50. As the United States transportation routes improved, it became increasingly difficult to compete with California rose growers. In 1966, the family determined to quit growing roses and turn the rose fields to shade and ornamental trees. Barnes Nursery was born.

• 1968 Harold Barnes hired Steve Brown, a new Ohio State graduate in landscape horticulture, to sell landscape services.
• 1969 Bob Barnes graduated from Ohio State University and returned home to the family business.
• 1973 Bob and Steve Brown, landscape salesman, took over daily operations at Barnes Nursery.
• 1978 Barnes began painting the fleet their distinctive metallic green.
• 1982 Instituted an 800 number which was innovative for its time. That expanded the business.
• 1983 Began competing in the Cleveland Home and Flower Show. We won a third place the first year of competition.
• 1987 Increased the size of the operations by purchasing the 50-acre farm just west of the main farm.
• 1990 Expanded the Garden Center with the addition of a 7,000 square foot retail greenhouse.
• 1991 Began the development of the Composting Facility, now one of the region's most successful.
• 1992 Jarret Barnes, son of Bob and Sharon Barnes, graduated from Ohio State University and returned home to the family business.
• 1995 Julie Barnes graduated from Ohio State University and returned home to the family business.
• 2000 Julie Barnes Foster received her MBA from Case Western Reserve.
• 2002 Barnes began utilizing its bigger equipment in building demolition projects.
  

Into our third generation our tradition continues to grow. Our family owned business today operates a diversified green industry organization known as Barnes Nursery Inc. Now affiliated with and active participants in numerous national and state professional organizations, our company has made an indelible mark on the green industry and the communities it serves by its professionalism and caring involvement.

The Barnes commitment to performance and innovation continues to generate new opportunities for growth. And we are just as committed to being easy to do business with. Our customers are why we are here.