began in 1980 with the purchase of the original five acres where we began the field cultivation of many of the then rare palm trees. I believed that given the limited selection of palms available to the landscape market from the wholesale nurseries in South Florida at the time and with the knowledge of many other attractive varieties suitable for use in our area that a market niche existed. Our company is responsible for the introduction of a number of varieties to the marketplace which were previously unavailable, except from collectors if at all.

In the early 1980's, ten additional acres were added to what is now our office location of fifteen acres, along with the addition of shade houses and greenhouses. In the late 1980's an additional thirty acres of tree farm land was added, "152" and "162", as well as "Redland Road", "North" and "West" locations. In the early 1990's the "328" street property was purchased and developed, creating a total of thirty-five acres of intensely cultivated container production and forty acres of tree farm.

In August of 1992 Hurricane Andrew descended upon South Dade County changing life as we knew it and severely damaging the nursery. Fortunately, we were able to have both crop insurance for our field nursery and for our container nursery, as well as insurance for our greenhouses and shade houses. After six months of cleanup we began the reconstruction of the nursery. Reconstruction was finally completed in the summer of 1993. With the completion of our new greenhouse, the nursery once began normal operations.

Three short years later our company was distinguished with the prestigious Grower of the Year award for 1996, in recognition of the quality of both the service and plants that we provide to the landscape trade in Florida. This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all employees of Botanics Wholesale, and to our effort to be and remain an industry leader in both product quality and service. It requires every employee's attention to detail and focus of effort to realize and maintain this position of excellence in our highly competitive industry.

As we approach the future, it is our intent to continue to pursue market opportunities and niches, both domestic and foreign. This requires the diligence of all employees to maintain the high standards that are synonymous with BOTANICS WHOLESALE as well as a disease and pest free nursery since we ship to many areas of the world that have strict phytosanitary requirements.

Jack W. Miller
President