Who We Are

About FCWN
Our Policies
Our Staff

About FCWN

Since 1931, our goal has been to select and grow hardy landscape plants that are acclimated to the unique growing conditions of the Rocky Mountain region. Our stock includes a full line of container-grown woody plants, field-grown caliper size trees, and potted liners of both popular and unusual woody plants. Most of our container plants that are available for spring sales have been over-wintered in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Our people's passion for plants has earned Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery a reputation as a leader in the Colorado Green Industry. Over the course of many years, this passion has led us to introduce a wide variety of plant species into our inventory. Inspiration comes from our fellow nurseries, arboretums, botanic gardens and spectacular residential landscapes. Our passion for horticulture has also enabled us to introduce our first patented plant: Acer tataricum 'GarAnn' (P.P. 15,023), Hotwings™ Tatarian Maple, which is being marketed at a national level.

Fort Collins Nursery began in 1931 as Kinghorn Nursery, owned and operated by Glen Kinghorn. In 1940, Clayton Watkins, first president of the Colorado Nurserymen's Association, purchased the nursery and changed its name to Fort Collins Nursery.

In 1946, Al Ekblad purchased the nursery with his brother-in-law Cecil. Cecil left the business in 1958, and an employee, Marv Wood, became Al's partner. The nursery was moved from LaPorte Avenue to 2121 East Mulberry in 1955.

In 1976, ownership changed hands to nursery employees. Fort Collins Nursery became a partnership under "The Garys," Gary Eastman and Gary Epstein. The Garys were able to offer some exceptional employees the opportunity to become involved in the partnership.

Site development of the wholesale division began in the fall of 1985, and business began at the North Shields location mid-August, 1987. The nursery incorporated in 1990. The retail location has been on east Mulberry since 1955.

In 2005 the ownership changed again as the Garys split off Fort Collins Nursery into two separate companies. Gary Eastman taking the name Fort Collins Retail Nursery, Inc. operating as Fort Collins Nursery and Gary Epstein taking the name Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery, Inc. operating as Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery.

Our Policies

Sales

Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery is a wholesale-only grower and supplier of nursery stock. The buyer must certify that nursery stock is purchased for use in the operation of a horticultural business, or for consumption by a federal, state, or municipal agency. All prices are FOB Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery. All purchases are cash unless prior credit has been arranged though completion and approval of a credit application. Varieties and prices are subject to change without notice.

Guarantee

All stock is guaranteed to be true to name and variety under which it is sold. If any stock proves otherwise, we will be responsible for the original purchase price only. No other guarantee is expressed or implied.

Tagging and Holding of Nursery Stock

We will allow tagging and holding of stock under the following conditions only:

An order must be completed for all tagged stock.
You may reserve plant material for 30 days only. If you need plant material reserved for more than 30 days we must have a deposit for the total price of the order before they will be tagged.
Call ahead for current availability; quantities of stock can vary considerably throughout the season.

Re-stocking

Handling plants twice costs us both. There is a 10% re-stocking charge for all approved returned material. There is no re-stocking charge for material rejected at time of delivery.

Delivery

We will deliver all nursery stock, one gallon to specimen sizes, for a reasonable charge. Please make arrangements with us for delivery of your order either locally or regionally at least 3 days prior to the delivery date.

Claims

Any claims for stock that is shipped dormant and proves to be non-viable must be made in writing within 30 days after receipt of your shipment. We will not entertain claims made after this period.

Recycle

Help us recycle. Recycling used nursery containers saves you money and keeps nursery containers out of the landfill. Call for more information on returned container credit.

SAVE TIME: Have your order ready for you when you arrive. We know your schedules are very busy. Let us help you save time. Call ahead to place orders and request that they be pulled for you. We will have your plants ready for you when you arrive.

Our Staff

Sales Staff

	Gary Epstein received a Bachelors Degree from Colorado State University in landscape horticulture in 1971. In 1986 he became one of the first Colorado Certified Nursery Professionals. Gary was awarded the 1993 CNA (now CNGA) Nurseryman of the year award, and in 2007 was enlisted in CNGA’s hall of fame. In 2010, Gary was honored with Plant Select’s Individual Partner award. He has served on the ALCC Northern Chapter board of directors, the CNA board where he is a past president, and he is currently very active on the CSU/DBG Plant Select Advisory Committee, and serves on the CNREF Board of Directors as president. His professional expertise comes from over 34 years of practical experience in nursery management as the principal owner/operator of Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery.
	Dan Wise is a 1995 graduate of Colorado State University, with a major in Landscape Horticulture. He began working at Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery in the spring of 1996, and continues to work there as head of Wholesale Sales. In 1999 he became a Colorado Certified Nursery Professional. He enjoys hiking, camping, gardening, spending time with his family.
	Amy Zabloudil is a sales rep and also responsible for container inventory and purchasing. She is a 1991 graduate of Colorado State University in horticulture and has been a Colorado Certified Nursery Professional since 1995. Amy has been an employee of Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery Since 1991 and is the office staff champion at treat consumption.