All in the family

Oak Bluff

Whyte Ridge

Winnipeg

Celebrating 60 years in the community this year, Jensen’s Nursery and Garden Centre has built a legacy of community and customer service.

Located at 2550 McGillivray Blvd., just outside city limits in Oak Bluff (but inside the Perimeter Highway), the nursery and garden centre is a hidden gem. There are no bold and flashing signs or big fancy banners, but walking into the site takes you through everything one could want to create beautiful outdoor and indoor gardens.

Storm, a hefty grey boy-cat, walks alongside customers from beginning to end of the greenhouse, while hazel-eyed Chloe, the orange girl-cat, oversees day-to-day operations from her box on the front counter.

“Cats are the most important part of the greenhouse,” Susan Jensen Stubbe said, with a chuckle.

“Chloe on Instagram is the poser. Storm is the tour guide. By afternoon, he’s having a good nap.”

With the busy gardening season just around the corner, Jensen’s long-time regular shoppers are already coming around to pick up or inquire about some of the most coveted plants.

“Keeners get those things early,” Susan said, adding that — during the busy seasons — the garden centre’s staff increases from 10 up to 30 people.

From citrus plants to pussy willows and goji berry shrubs, maple and birch trees to exotic ferns, the garden centre’s plant and perennial lists are lengthy. An online shop features customer favourites for garden planting, and highlights everything from the more popular vegetable seeds to bird baths, gardening books, and plant pots. Stocking unique items is a priority. The in-store gift shop carries inventory for all occasions, making gift-finding easy all year ’round.

“Our biggest focus is diversification in plants, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, and houseplants,” Susan said, noting they have 2,000 to 3,000 shrubs for shoppers to choose from.

Another priority is that family and community remain at the centre of everything Jensen’s Nursery and Garden Centre does.

“Having the connectivity with family, we get to see each other all the time, and staff is also like family,” said Susan. “That’s kind of what we try to do. Our motto is to create that family environment.”

The family business strives to support local businesses, with every effort made to source supplies, equipment, and products from Manitoba and Canadian suppliers.

The catalyst of the business is Kurt Jensen, who immigrated from Denmark to Canada in 1957. He developed his love for landscaping and plants at his parents’ hobby farm and orchard and, in 1966, he and wife Elsie started a lawn maintenance operation in the River Heights and Tuxedo areas which quickly grew into a residential and commercial landscaping company.

In 1971, they purchased a one-acre lot on McGillivray Boulevard and, with more space available, expanded the business to include a retail garden centre. In the early 1990s, Kurt and Elsie’s daughters, Susan and Tammy, became involved in the company. In 2005, Jensen’s purchased its current home, a three-acre lot at the southwest corner of McGillivray and Brady Road.

These days, Susan and Tammy oversee the business. Their father, now 88, still comes in for a few hours several days a week, working with the trees during the warmer months, and is always willing to help when and where needed. Jensen’s landscaping services ended in 2014 to allow more time to focus on the garden centre and long-time staff member Susan MacPherson then joined as a partner.

Jensen’s gives back to the community through fundraising events, seminars, workshops, community group presentations, and donations. It supports St. Amant Centre’s Communities in Bloom program and, through its connection with the Pembina Trails School Division’s work experience program, it has welcomed and mentored students – some with developmental challenges – who express interest in horticulture. Volunteer opportunities allow students to gain workforce experience and develop life skills. Some of the students have stayed with Jensen’s and become seasonal employees.

“We love to give back and be part of our community, both Oak Bluff and Winnipeg,” Susan said.

“What I love the most about this business is that every season is different. During quiet times, we can paint the walls and clean the building,” she said, adding that, even at the most hectic times of the year, she can always find a spot somewhere to refresh and reset amidst the beauty and scent of the abundant plant varieties.

Jensen’s Nursery and Garden Centre is open year-round, except for January and February. Hours vary seasonally, but the online store is always open.

Visit jensennursery.com or find it on Facebook and Instagram for fun facts and updates.