We’re pretty sure New Jersey-born and New York-bred Paul Simon didn’t find his inspiration for “Scarborough Fair” at Ellenburg Landscaping and Nursery, but he could have. Rosemary and thyme are just two of a variety of herbs the nursery offers, and parsley and sage likely are sprouting as well.
Scott Black has been with the nursery for about six years. He showed me around and shared the history of the nursery.
Greg Ellenburg founded the company 13 years ago as a landscaping outfit, and landscaping remains a central component of the business. The landscaping side of Ellenburg employs seven, one more than work in the nursery.
“We can design a plan or implement the customer’s plan,” Scott said.
A rainbow of lilies, cornflowers and orchids capture the eye as you explore the nursery’s greenhouses, but showy flowers and humble herbs also make room for other greenery. The nursery grows vegetables, fruit trees and citrus trees. Scott noted that citrus must move inside when the weather turns cold – frozen oranges and lemons are hard on the juicer!
Speaking of trees, although spring is busy and the nursery is a year-round operation, the pace accelerates when Christmas trees arrive about a week before Thanksgiving. The nursery goes all-out with Christmas offerings.
“We do mailbox toppers and door trimmings,” Scott said, citing two examples of their seasonal services. The nursery serves the greater Knoxville area with customers, for example, in Maryville.
Ellenburg Landscaping and Nursery is located at 722 Vanosdale Rd. just south of Middlebrook Pike. It’s open from 9-6 M-F and 8-5 on Saturday. Closing times vary with the season. Find them online here and on Facebook at Ellenburg Landscaping and Nursery.
Larry Van Guilder is the business/government editor for KnoxTNToday. Write to him at lvg@knoxtntoday.com.
