April 7, 2005


An oasis of serenity

Almaden Valley Nursery: Family-owned business prospers due to exceptional customer service

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

At Almaden Valley Nursery, an oasis of serenity awaits just beyond the garden gate.

Colors and fanciful designs abound at the nursery, which is known for its melodic fountains and colorful blooms.

Here, melodious wind chimes ring, sweet scents waft on the breeze, and colorful arrays of blossoms abound.


In its homey Cottage Shop, aromatic fragrances of candles and soaps awaken visitors’ senses while visions of flower fairies, lavender and lace dance in their heads. Customers browse contentedly among tables displaying everything from hand-painted olive oil bottles to embroidered pillows, kitchen linens and specialty books.

In the Garden Room, birdhouses, bird feeders and decorative mailboxes perch beside indoor pottery, beckoning shoppers to take a closer look. The Remedy Room offers organic pro-ducts to help one’s garden grow, and on the patio, ceramic mushrooms dance among vibrant blooms.

However, it is the nursery, the heart of the business, which truly shines, enticing customers to explore its hidden world of garden vignettes where time stands still. Here, visitors meander along its winding paths, lingering beside inviting benches and sparkling fountains before stopping to smell enticing roses with names as fanciful as their shades.

The history of Almaden Valley Nursery
Thirty years ago, Erwin and Janine Wildermuth purchased the property for the Almaden Valley Nursery on a site where horses and cows grazed and pheasants were raised. Erwin Wildermuth had been in the landscaping business in Europe and always hoped to start his own nursery. When he saw these natural surroundings, he knew his dream had come true. “He liked that it was in the country, with a lake behind it, and a lot of trees,” says Janine.

Her son Eric Wilder took over in 1988 as president and owner upon his father’s retirement.

For several years, a large barn located on the property was incorporated into the nursery, and the family, including son Eric, and daughter Nicole, lived in what is now the gift shop. The shop has changed over the years, with walls being knocked down and rooms added, but the original living room, bathroom and bedrooms remain.

Eric Wilder, who assisted his parents in the nursery as a child, took over in 1988 as president and owner upon his father’s retirement. “If it wasn’t for my son, I doubt we’d be where we are today,” says Wildermuth. “He has been absolutely tremendous. We started the business, but he continued it.”

Wildermuth, however wasn’t about to hang up her hat. “I told Eric if he wants to get rid of me, he literally has to pick me up and throw me out,” she says, “because I’m staying. As long as I can walk and stand on my legs, I’m going to be here. I enjoy it so much.”

The son takes over the reins
With a knack for marketing and merchandising, Wilder quickly learned the ropes, and what began as a small nursery in 1975 has grown under his care to become a nationally known destination garden center, while still retaining its neighborhood charm.

“It’s fun to merchandise plants because there’s a lot of color involved and you can do a lot with it,” he says. “Plus, I’ve got a great crew. This place has grown as much because of them as my leadership.”

Wilder gathers his innovative ideas from attending garden shows around the country and regularly implements these nuances into the nursery and shop, keeping it fresh. Along this line, he designed areas with product-reflecting titles like Orchard Oasis, the Isle of Roses and Annual Alley, setting a mood, while making items easy to find.

“A few years ago, there used to be straight paths with ferns, camellias and azaleas,” says Wilder. “If people were looking for those specific plants, they didn’t go any further, so I decided to open it up and create a shade garden so visitors would wander.” Now instead of dead-end walks, the nursery features rounded tracks along its edges and beneath billowing canopies, an octagonal Shade Cathedral graces its center, resplendent with trickling water fountains on each end.

As the Almaden Valley Nursery is bounded by Almaden Lake Park, and limited in size, the staff regularly rearranges the displays to retain customer interest. For example, Color Courtyard will soon feature themed perennials such as brightly hued pretty-in-pink blooms and plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

For Sharon and Jerry Wilkus, Almaden Valley Nursery is their favorite place to stop when they want to do spring planting. “It’s fun to come and roam and browse,” says Sharon. “It’s well organized.”

Mushrooms dance among the flowers.

Wildermuth likes working with people, customers and staff alike. “We have extremely wonderful employees, most who have been with us for quite a long time,” she says. “They are like family. It makes it fun. You get up in the morning happy to go to work and see everybody.”

The nursery staff also strives to create a friendly, welcoming environment for its customers. “We try to greet everyone with a happy smile,” says Wildermuth. “We have customers we’ve had for years that are like friends, and when they come in, it’s all hugs and kisses.” They also go the extra mile in customer service providing complementary lollipops and answering the phone, “How can we make your day?”

Celebrity service
Another of their trademarks is celebrity service. “We treat everyone like a celebrity,” says Wilder. They also like to have fun. Although Peggy Fleming and some of the San Jose Sharks do shop there, imagined celebrities also regularly pay the nursery a visit. “Any time we answer the phone, we pretend that it’s a celebrity calling,” says Wilder. We’ll say, ‘Clint Eastwood’s on line one,’ and people turn and look.”

Extending their personal service, the nursery offers a Web club electronic newsletter that allows clients to see new products on a timely basis. Wilder hopes that it will entice customers to visit the nursery more often, for no matter how creative, the Web site cannot replace the sensory experience of being there. “With a plant, you have to see it, smell it, touch it,” says Wilder. “It’s a personal thing.”

Almaden Valley Nursery Vice President and General Manager Matt Lepow has been with the nursery for 12 years, and enjoys working outside with the plants as well as developing personal relationships with his customers. “We have people who came here as kids with their mom and dad, now bringing their own kids here,” he says. “I remember when this valley was fruit trees so I can talk about its history with them.” Lepow views the staff as extensions of one big family. “Several customers think I’m one of Erwin’s sons,” he says. “And the cashiers are like cousins.”

Assistant Manager Steve Mihelitch appreciates the atmosphere and quality control of the nursery. “It’s a fun place to work and by far the best nursery I’ve ever been at,” he says. “I love working outdoors with plants and helping people.” He especially likes getting to know his customers on a first name basis and takes pride in their satisfaction.

“The layout of this nursery is really nice,” says customer John Rovido. “And the staff seems really knowledgeable and friendly.” Customer Javier Perez agrees. “I like to see how plants do in different environments and talk with the staff,” he says. “They ask the right questions.”

Customer John Huynh appreciates the wide variety and quality of plants and trees available at the nursery. “The plants look healthy,” he says. “Everything they have looks nice.”

Dan and Stacey Scott, shopping while pulling their daughter Sydney on a wagon, appreciate the helpfulness of Almaden Valley Nursery’s staff, as well as the quality of their plants. “They care for these plants as a job,” says Dan. “They’re not in the lumber and hardware business.”

Beautifying the community
Over the years, Almaden Valley Nursery has become an integral part of the community, providing free field trips to local schools and youth groups in which students learn about fragrant and edible plants, as well as supporting fund-raising events. The nursery also donated landscaping and design for Bret Harte Middle School’s teen community center, The Spot, and provided discounted design for Leland High School’s parking lot perimeter.

In assisting the city, the nursery designed the median landscape along Santa Teresa Boulevard from Coleman Avenue to newly renovated Oakridge Mall, as well as Branham Lane from Pearl Avenue to the 87 freeway, and loaned plants to the Santa Clara Water District for its convention center shows. The nursery has also collaborated with the San Francisco Zoo to design and landscape six of their exhibits, including the North American River Otter exhibit and the Feline Conservation Center, and participated in “Renew the Zoo” weed pulling and plantings. In addition, the Almaden Valley Nursery regularly donates 1 percent of its net profits to charities chosen by its staff.

From Japanese maple and Heavenly bamboo to brightly colored bougainvillea, perennials and grasses, Almaden Valley Nursery provides customers with a wide selection of trees and plants, as well as knowledgeable staff who are happy to answer questions and help them find the perfect garden solutions.

“We feel blessed we’ve been able to be in this business for 30 years and people like us,” says Wildermuth. “It’s a lot of work, but we’ve been blessed with the customers we’ve had and how supportive the community has been.”

Sue Merk finds the nursery pleasing in every detail and enjoys the garden’s peaceful setting. “The help’s excellent, there’s a good selection and the plants are healthy,” says Merk. “You can walk through and find what you need easily. It’s a family-owned business and that’s what really makes a difference.”

Almaden Valley Nursery is located at 15800 Almaden Expressway. They can be reached at 408-997-1234, or online at www.almadenvalleynursery.com.