MEET REGGIE MEEHAN OF MARTIN GARDEN CENTER

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell… Martin Garden Center. With thousands of plant species across 5 acres, Martin’s has been the Upstate’s premiere garden center over 35 years. So with that being said, we had to meet their leader and CIO (Chief Inspiration Officer), Reggie Meehan. Let’s go meet owner Reggie of Martin Garden Center!

360: Give us the quick story. How were you first introduced to Martin Garden Center?
I found Martin’s after living in the Greenville area for 15+ years. It had every unique plant for which I had long searched. I wish I had found it years ago as I wasted a lot of time going from one garden center to another looking for the plants I wanted. Those same words are echoed by customers who FINALLY find us for the first time after living in the upstate for years.

360: Tell us about your career before Martin Garden Center.
Reggie: Before purchasing the garden center, I was an engineer with an amazing garden. I’d worked for EPA and for a large consulting firm for EPA. When I began my family, I launched my own environmental engineering consulting business so I could be a stay at home mom. That business grew through perseverance and left me with a nest egg that I then used to buy Martin Garden Center. “Buy a garden center. It’ll be fun!” my friends told me. With the fun comes hard work and perseverance, but it also allowed me to follow my bliss and inspire people to create beautiful gardens.

360: What is your favorite part of your job?
Reggie: I have two favorites. First, the staff… they are amazing. It’s a quirky eclectic mix of personalities – they make Martin’s a happy place. Of course, equally important are our customers who make the job enjoyable and who are so loyal to us. God bless them, they enrich our lives with their stories, some of which make us cry from time to time. Everyone has a story, I love to hear them.

360: How about your favorite plant/flower combo?
Reggie: I tend to be very methodical with my recommendations. Going the thriller, filler, spiller route, for the sun, I recommend lemon cypress thrillers, and lemon bell or Angelina sedum spillers. The filler in between should be purple or blue for maximum pop, along with white euphorbia for extra fill. For shade beds, I’ve gotten a little crazy. I love wasabi and splish splash coleus for thrillers/filler, and red wandering jew for the spiller.

360: When you’re not at Martin Garden Center what do you love to do?
Reggie: I am a foodie so I tend to enjoy cooking tasty meals. I have a killer recipes for chicken tarragon salad, shrimp dip, and caprese salad (using, of course, garden grown herbs, tomatoes and ingredients) that everyone enjoys. I also love renovating homes and I am in the middle of renovating the old Martin home located right here on the Martin property. Finally, but not lastly, I love to garden!

360: What’s next for Martin Garden Center?
Reggie: I recently purchased the property surrounding Martin’s to give us room for expansion. So this year, we will add another greenhouse and an outdoor planting area. We will also complete some serious renovations and updates. Exciting times are ahead.

360: Last question. Give us your elevator pitch! Why should someone shop at Martin Garden Center?
Reggie: We pride ourselves on the healthiest plants with the best selection of bloomers in the upstate. Whether you are brand new to gardening or a long-time lover of plants, it is our job to help you create your best garden masterpieces, fabulous container creations and cozy houseplant areas. With our staff’s expertise and passion, we help you pick out the right plants for the right spot every time. In short, we work hard to make this your happy place.
360: Thanks, Reggie! We really appreciate you stepping away from the nursery to chat with us. See you again soon!
To learn even more about Martin Garden Center and everything they offer, you can visit them at www.martinnursery.com or just call (864) 277-1818. The garden center seasonal hours are now Monday-Wednesday 9am-6pm, Thursday-Friday 9am-7pm, Saturday 9am-5pm and closed on Sunday. So follow along via social media for their daily plant life action, events hour changes and much more on Instagram and Facebook!