David Green, Owner
david@primexgardencenter.com 
David's grandfather, Bill Green, founded Primex in 1943. David began working at the store when he was a teen. After graduating Upper Dublin High School in 1972 he started full time work in the warehouse. From that time he worked his way through the ranks eventually working alongside his dad Gordon, purchasing and helping manage the store. In 1984 he became part owner and in 1991 be became sole proprietor with his wife Joan Lagan. Throughout the year, David and staff attend numerous trade shows to continue developing the diverse product mix Primex has become known for.

David has overseen Primex’s many expansions and attributes the growth of the business to it's relationship with its customers and devoted, knowledgeable staff. "Our partnership with our community through 4 generations is absolutely gratifying. The business naturally requires full time attention to every detail. We have big shoes to fill and are constantly striving to anticipate our customers’ needs. We are so pleased to continually see the interest in gardening evolve and grow."

David and Joan are proud grandparents of their daughter Katelyn's kids, Caleb and Emery Ginsberg. Katelyn's husband Dan has been working alongside David for close to 17 years. Their son Marshall is owner and chef of Cafe' Estelle, winner of Philadelphia Magazines "Best of Philly" (best brunch). "For a great breakfast or lunch, I couldn't think of a better place. We invite you to enjoy that side of our family's business."

Joan, Owner
joan@primexgardencenter.com
In 1975, Joan started as a sales person and display designer. Today, she is an owner in the business with a specialty in plant diagnosis and turf maintenance. If you’re having a problem with a plant (insect or disease), bring in a sample for Joan to recommend a treatment. She can also help you develop a healthy lawn by pointing out the right soil amendments, seed, and maintenance practices you should provide for your individual site and conditions. Joan also purchases all of the flower and vegetable seeds, and still assists with store displays. Together with her husband David (Primex owner), Joan is a proud parent of fourth generation Primex member Katelyn (greenhouse staff consultant), and a devoted grandparent to Katelyn and her husband Dan’s (Primex Manager) youngsters, Caleb and Emery. Joan and David’s son, Marshall Green, is the chef and owner of renowned Philadelphia eatery Café Estelle, winner of a 2009 Best of Philly (best brunch).

Anne, Store Manager
anne@primexgardencenter.com
With a lifetime of experience in the horticulture industry and a degree in biology, Anne has been the Manager of Primex since 1990. Anne’s experience growing up on a fruit farm provides her with a wealth of knowledge about fruit- and vegetable-related issues. Ornamental plant and turf disease diagnosis, pest identification, and the correct treatment for these problems are also strong suits of hers. Anne can provide advice on a multitude of horticultural topics—from establishing a new lawn or caring for a backyard pond, to installing an above-ground irrigation system. If there is an item that Primex does not carry, Anne will do her best to locate and order that product for you. In her spare time, Anne enjoys canning tomatoes and peaches. She also makes a mean jar of bread and butter pickles!

Danny, Manager
danny@primexgardencenter.com
Danny started at Primex in 1993 in a seasonal warehouse position, and became a full-time employee in 2003. Danny’s responsibilities include sales, buying, computer operations, and replenishing store products. Contractors and landscapers who have questions about product and pricing rely on him, and Danny can also sometimes be seen at the register, where he cheerfully pitches in when the need presents itself. Together with his wife, Katelyn (greenhouse staff consultant, bio below), Danny is the proud parent of two sons: Caleb and Emery, the future fifth generation of Primex.

Nickie, Assistant Buyer and Customer Sales and Service
nickie@primexgardencenter.com
Nickie, Assistant Buyer and Customer Sales and Service Nickie has been in the garden center industry for 17 years, and holds a degree in biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Before joining Primex in 2009, she worked at Bucks Country Gardens, where she was the dry goods manager and buyer, and also ran the aquatics department. In her current role at Primex, she works in sales, and also handles buying pottery among other items. Nickie grew up on a farm in Bucks County, where her family raised and sold vegetables and strawberries. Nickie has always enjoyed running and, of course, gardening—especially veggies and perennials. Nickie also likes aquatics, and used her knowledge of this field to build her own pond.

Gloria, Customer Sales and Service
An invaluable member of the Primex team since 2004, Gloria’s specialty is organics! She enjoys starting her own seeds for her chemical-free vegetable garden, and continually keeps herself abreast of the latest and greatest organic products, techniques, and garden solutions. Among many other topics, Gloria can answer any questions on how to attract and feed birds, start your own seeds, or which organic plants, fertilizers, and other products would be best for you. Gloria obtained her love for gardening from her grandmother, who grew up on a farm and gardened well into her 80’s. A nurturer by nature, Gloria loves to attract birds and butterflies to her garden, tend to her pond, care for her shade and wildflower gardens, and assist her neighbors and customers with their gardening questions and concerns. Gloria is also an amateur photographer; she especially loves training her lens on landscapes and plants.

Mia, PCH, Jack of All Trades
mia@primexgardencenter.com
Mia joined Primex in 2005. Formerly an assistant manager of a local garden center, Mia is a PLNA-certified horticulturist with experience in interior plantscaping, greenhouse management, and turf maintenance. She volunteers at the Phildadelphia International Flower Show, and is a Gardener's Studio guest speaker and lecturer. Mia teaches various gardening classes through MALT (Mount Airy Learning Tree) and co-chairs the WMAN Streetscapes Committee, helping to plant and maintain street trees in West Mount Airy. Mia's pastimes include cycling and enjoying a fine cigar.

Janet, Administrative Assistant and Customer Sales and Service
Janet joined Primex in 2009, after being recruited by her brother Richie (accounts payable, bio above). She began in the greenhouse, but now also utilizes her past experience in office work to provide top-quality administrative support to David. When she’s not at Primex, Janet is a mom to daughters Gabby and Ana. She also enjoys reading.

Richie, Accounts Payable
richie@primexgardencenter.com
Hired in 1986 as a warehouse employee, Richie worked his way up to Warehouse Manager. Since that time, Richie’s main responsibility is handling accounts payable. He also helps with computer operations, in-house accounts, and ordering products. Richie possesses a vast knowledge of all the products carried by Primex, as well as their usage.. When he’s not at Primex, Richie serves as the head boys basketball coach at St. Katherine Sienna for the fifth and sixth grades.

Marcia, Human Resources
Marcia has been a part of Primex since 1976, and currently handles human resources. She is a former teacher, and a graduate of New York University. A grandmother of five, Marcia has already introduced her grandchildren to gardening. In her spare time, Marcia enjoys playing bridge, and also loves puzzles. She averages nine to eleven minutes on the New York Times’ Monday crossword puzzle, and her record is a staggering seven minutes. Even more impressive, Marcia only works in pen!

Nursery Staff

Bill C., Nursery Buyer and Co-Manager
bill@primexgardencenter.com
Whether you’re an expert or novice, you’ll enjoy working with Bill. Though you won’t get him in front of a camera, Bill’s expertise will guide you in finding the right plants for the right spot, as well as identification and diagnosis of insect and disease. William Craig is a Certified Arborist (cert # PD-1652A), has a degree in biology, and over 25 years of horticultural experience. In his spare time, Bill restores motorcycles—especially bikes from the 1970s.

Tom H., Nursery Buyer and Co-Manager
tomhorn@primexgardencenter.com
With a bachelor of science in horticulture from Delaware Valley College, Tom is skilled at garden and landscape design. Sign up for the “We Plan, You Plant” program, and Tom will help you develop a garden plan for your designated area. Tom, a valuable full-time Primex employee, has been a part of our nursery staff since 1996. Along with Bill C., he is a Nursery Buyer and Co-Manager. When he’s not at Primex or working in his garden, Tom enjoys playing golf.

Jo, Customer Sales and Service
A full-time Primex employee since 1998, Jo can usually be found in the perennial house or nursery, advising and assisting customers with their plant selections. Jo is a passionate and knowledgeable gardener; her specialties are perennial and vegetable gardening, as well as plant identification. Jo’s background includes years of gardening experience, a degree in education, and horticultural coursework completed at Morris Arboreatum and Penn State County Extension. Jo teaches workshops on veggies, perennials, and sustainable gardening, and is a long-time volunteer at Friends of High School Park, a native restoration site. Jo is also fluent in Italian. Brava!

Margie, Customer Sales and Service

Margie joined Primex in 2009. She works in the nursery in the height of the season, and moves to the greenhouse in the off-peak months. She is our self-described “default orchid expert,” and holds a degree in horticulture from Delaware Valley College. Margie’s draws on her extensive experience working at Morris Arboretum and the Highlands Historical Society to assist customers with any of their gardening needs. When she’s not at Primex, Margie’s enjoys training and competing in dog agility. She has four lovable canines.

Fred, Customer Sales and Service
Fred brings over 30 years of horticultural experience to Primex. His background is in wholesale nurseries, grounds keeping, ornamental pest control, turf grass, and landscaping. You’ll find him in the nursery where he is eager to assist you with trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. When he’s not at Primex, Fred enjoys building wooden boats, and restoring and riding vintage motorcycles.

Carolyn, Customer Sales and Service
After joining the Primex team in March 2002, Carolyn quickly made a niche for herself in the annual and perennial departments of our nursery. Carolyn also has a strong knowledge of trees, shrubs, and houseplants. She has many years of experience in the garden center industry and completed the Phila. County Master Gardener’s Program. Carolyn completed her final project on “Evergreens and the Urban Landscape,” and includes everything from evergreens to veggies in her own varied landscape. Carolyn also enjoys “butterfly gardening”—the art of cultivating plants that attract butterflies (as well as hummingbirds!). Carolyn presents workshops on this topic at Primex.

Ann, Customer Sales and Service
In 2005, Ann joined Primex from the Biopond Garden, a two-acre garden on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. During her seven years as a gardener, Ann maintained trails, pruned trees and shrubs, cared for existing flower beds, and designed new ones. It was during this time that Ann gained her extensive interest and talent in shade gardening. Ann has spent the past five winters pruning a wide variety of trees at the Barnes Foundation.

Barry, Customer Sales and Service

Barry joined Primex in March of 2006 after a 35 year career of service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His appreciation of trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables make him a natural addition to our nursery staff. Since 2000, Barry has been studying and practicing the art of Bonsai under internationally renowned masters Chase Rosade of New Hope, PA and Salvatore Liporace, of Milan, Italy. Barry’s expertise with Bonsai, and his desire to share his knowledge, enhances the excellent service that he provides to our customers. Personally, Barry currently has over 100 Bonsai trees or trees-in-training. He also enjoys sharing his knowledge with his grandchildren, growing a Bonsai from a seedling for each youngster.

Greenhouse Staff

Katelyn, Consultant
fourth generation Green family Primex ownership, Katelyn has grown up at Primex. A lifetime of horticulture exposure has provided Katelyn the background necessary to train our current greenhouse staff. Our greenhouse is a spectacular reflection of our staff's ability to select, purchase and maintain a vast variety of houseplants, annuals and herbs. Katelyn is currently nurturing the fifth generation of Greens, but remains a vital part of our operation.

Warehouse Staff

Kevin, Warehouse Team Member
Kevin came to us in October of 2007 and is our warehouse manager. He loves working outdoors and we love working with Kevin. He works tirelessly without complaint, is humble, easygoing and cheerful. We are pleased to have him as a vital member of our full time staff.

Chloe
Queen Chloe is our first feline employee. Though she is not the most sociable cat, Chloe is an excellent mouser. During the day you can often find her lounging in any available patch of sunlight that she can find or asleep on our gift shop bench. Clawless, Chloe can not scratch, but children beware, she has been known to bite.

Rascal
True to his name, Rascal, is a little bundle of energy. Rascal loves running thru the store, exploring in the warehouse, wandering through the greenhouse, fishing for Koi in the pond area and generally torturing Chloe. He is a lovable cat that enjoys having his neck scratched and being petted, however, he does not like being picked up. Rascal is great with children.

Primex has partnered with community gardens and would like to extend their gratitude, with these gardeners, to the following vendors for their generous donations and support this year.

Bethel Farm
Curtis Wagner
Easy Gardener
Encap
Espoma Company
Filtrexx
Lebanon Seaboard Corp.
Luster Leaf
Marchioro USA, Inc.
Messina Wildlife Management

 

2010 Community Support

Primex Garden Center proudly supports the following organizations:
 

Abington Presbyterian Youth Group
ADD Adult W/Developmental Disabilities - Jenkintown
AmeriCorps Volunteers – Philadelphia
Boy Scout Troop 116 - Wyncote
Breast Feeding Resource Center - Glenside
Center School - Abington
Community Design Collaborative – Philadelphia
Copper Beech Elementary School – Glenside
Crisis Residential Program – Montco Emergency Services, Inc.
Drueding Center/Project Rainbow (Kid’s Garden) – Philadelphia
Edgehill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center – Glenside
Erdenheim Elementary PTO
First Philadelphia Charter School
Friends of Hospice – Lansdale
Friends Select School – Philadelphia
Germantown Monthly Meeting - Philadelphia
Gift of Life Family House - Philadelphia
Girl Scout Troop #7583 Project - Kitty Cottage Cat Shelter
Greater Glenside Patriotic Association
Greene Towne School - Philadelphia
GYAC (Glenside Youth Athletic Club)
Happy Hollow Playground & Recreation Center - Germantown
Highland Elemantary PTO
Jenkintown Community Alliance
Just N Thyme Foundation – Glenside
LaMott Community Garden – Wyncote
Logan Community Development Corp - Philadelphia
Mommy’s Light – Lionville
NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness – Harrisburg
Nationalities Senior Center - Philadelphia
New Life Thrift Store - Glenside
Old York Road Temple Beth Am
Penn State Montgomery County Extension
Pennypack Farm & Education Center
Philadelphia Children’s Alliance
Philadelphia Health Corps
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia
Rotary Club of Abington
St. David’s Church – Willow Grove
St. Luke the Evangelist School – Glenside
St. Paul’s School - Oreland
Tookany/Tacony Frankford Watershed Association
Unitarian Society of Germantown
Valley Christian School – Huntingdon Valley
Waldorf School of Philadelphia
Wissahickon Valley Watershed Assoc
Won Buddhism of Philadephia
Young Life of Montgomery County

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