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A Family Farming Tradition. Bob and Suzi
have been growing flowers for over 30 years. They started out working for the family farm in Upper St. Clair, (which
Bob grew up on and Suzi's family lives just next to), after Bob returned from serving in the military and getting married
in 1977. They helped at the small produce stand where the homegrown vegetables were sold, as well as Christmas trees
and wreaths. They started growing a few flowering plants in
a small greenhouse on the farm. Today they grow one of the largest selections of annuals in Western Pennsylvania in
the fourteen greenhouses on their own farm in Cecil Township. The quantity and varieties of flowers they grew increased
year to year. Therefore a much larger and more convenient location, other than their uncle's produce stand, was
necessary. The current store location was opened in the spring of 1997. Fresh produce and Christmas trees, among
other things, are still available at the newer and larger farm market in Upper St. Clair. (The greenhouse and farm market
are not associated; Bob, Sue, and Russ own and run the greenhouse and their relatives own and run the farm market.) A Business of Their Own. Each year of the Greenhouse's first nine
years saw improvements and expansions. For example, more tables were built to display the large selection of plants,
and the parking lot was made larger. The nine-year-old store, despite the improvements each year, was no longer sufficient.
A new and improved greenhouse was completed for Spring 2006. The
majority of the plants available at Bedner Greenhouse are grown by Bob, Suzi and Russ. In the past few years, they have
gone from buying in just about 100% of their perennials, to now growing almost
100% of them. Plant production begins in January, with some of the slower growing tropical plants being started as early
as December. All winter long the Bedners and their staff are busy growing hanging baskets, annuals in various pot sizes,
living wreaths, container gardens, flower pouches, herbs, vegetable plants, and perennials.
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A "Growing" Reputation. Every spring, people come
to the Greenhouse from all over-- southwestern Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and other states. Many have been getting
their flowers from Bob and Suzi for over 30 years, since they've been selling them at the farm market. They
are most well-known for their hanging baskets and selection of annuals.
Hanging baskets come in all shapes and sizes and are all carefully planned and designed plant combinations. The large
selection of annuals ranges from common favorites like Geraniums and Impatiens, to the unique and unusual like the Dutchman's
Pipe that nobody walks by without stopping in curiosity.
Another thing that the Bedners are well-known for is their dedication to the gardeners they serve. Each new season
is carefully planned to ensure that the plants grown are of excellent quality and variety. Every effort is put forth
by the Bedners and their staff to see that each customer leaves the Greenhouse with what they came looking for. If they
don't have a plant someone is seeking, they will get it. When gardeners aren't sure what they're looking
for, someone is always available to assist with plant selection and care advice. All you need is the desire to color
and beautify your world, and Bedner Greenhouse is the place to go to make the vision become reality.
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