About Us

Griffins is a True Family Run Operation

As a daughter of Duch immigrants, the family matriarch, Ann, grew up in her family-run greenhouse business, Parkhill Nurseries. She began a small seasonal greenhouse at her home in 1976 as a way to supplement her “stay at home” income. She worked alone with children, Vikki and Kyle, with other family members helping out as needed. In the early days, husband Jack assisted on weekends too. As the demand for their exceptional quality plants grew, Jack retired from sporting goods sales and began working in their greenhouse business alongside Ann and a few hired hands, expanding the season to include Fall plant offerings and Winter décor. 

 

In 2001 Vikki left her teaching career in Belleville, moved back to Peterborough with husband and two children and became the General Manager. She expanded the business adding seasonal workshops and becoming the face of Griffin’s Greenhouses at speaking engagements throughout the province. In 2006 Kyle chose gardening over a career in Photojournalism and he became the Greenhouse Manager, streamlining many processes and adding to the award winning Display Garden. Robin, Kyle’s wife, joined in 2020 to manage the Barn Store and showcase her merchandising skills while Darryl, Vikki’s husband, became our Office Manager, after his retirement from a career in Education. Now the grandchildren, Ben (23), Olivia (20), Jake (19) and Mitchell (17) help out at school break times – a true family business!

Our Team

The Griffin’s Gang is amazing! Expanding to 20+ team members in May and June, our hard working folks excel at providing the “Griffin’s Experience”. Approachable and friendly, we offer advice freely and make suggestions so your gardens look their best. Several members on staff at certified “Master Gardeners” and all are avid plant lovers who eagerly share book knowledge and personal knowledge. 

The Griffin’s Experience

Upon entry to our beautiful outdoor sales area you will be greeted with a friendly welcome, a sincere inquiry of your needs, helpful direction to exceptionally well grown and curated products and knowledgeable advice that does not end upon exit.

Our Display Garden

Our award-winning Display Garden is open and free to wander during our business hours. View perennials and annuals in stages of growth in the garden beds surrounding the natural pond and cascading waterfall. Zone appropriate perennial species will include hydrangeas, ornamental grasses, evergreen trees and small flowering shrubs, iris, daylilies, hosta, rudbeckia, echinacea, heuchera, spring bulbs and hundreds more. Annuals are generously planted with perennials, to showcase a garden looking best with the co-mingling of the two. Annuals you will see include: begonias, verbena, alyssum, sunpatiens, coleus, euphorbia plus foliage and many vines. The cedar gazebo is surrounded by unique, large sized container plantings and the designs change each year, often more spectacular than the last! Many benches and seats are tucked here and there for lounging and a place to sit, visit and quietly enjoy the surrounding beauty.

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