Nestled in a quaint valley just outside the busy city of Escondido, CA rests a gardener's delight that has been offering help and sound advice to budding horticulturists for almost fifty years. Stop and listen a moment. Can you hear the little brown wrens chirping? Can you hear the fountain water bubbling? Vivid colors and inviting garden paths urge the beholder to saunter through taking in the complex palate of plant textures, scents, and shades. El Plantio Nursery & Landscaping, Inc. lives up to its name which means "planted area" or "garden place" in the Spanish language. It holds a unique location and fills an important niche among true dirt-under-the-fingernail plant lovers.
El Plantio Nursery was originally started in 1959 by George and Jene St. Dennis on a one acre parcel near the corner of highway 78 and Idaho Ave. Nursery work was somewhat of a pastime for the couple in their older age.
In 1969 Nathan Snapp, a retired city official, bought the place and ran it as a retirement hobby for about seven years, during which he bought the ¾ acre corner parcel to the south which remained barren during his ownership.
Soon after, his two oldest sons bought the business and turned it into a partnership on January 1, 1976. They began using the additional acreage to grow Christmas trees and run a landscape crew from the back driveway. Over the years, the Snapp brothers made several changes.
El Plantio became a competitive player in the nursery industry by earning certifications and offering new services. The nusery soon became know among locals for its friendly service and insightful advice that was not found at other plant sources. Additional services were added as demand increased for seamless landscape solutions. More crews were added to maintain the beautiful gardens being created.
The growing company changed from a partnership to a corporation in 2003 – 27 years after the Snapp brothers took the reins. Today, the company has increased plant production to supply about 75 percent of its nursery stock with "home grown" plants. Another generation of Snapp brothers are preparing to continue the long tradition of excellence and service for decades to come. In 2009, the company turns 50 years young. Thank you to all of our customers!
