A History of North Creek
Have you ever been curious about the story behind North Creek? From our humble beginnings to the challenges we've overcome, the triumphs we've celebrated, and the legacy we're building, our journey is one of passion and perseverance. Explore how we got started, our commitment to fostering sustainable environments, and our dedication to continuous learning—all while providing top-quality plant products to our valued customers.
In the Beginning
The introduction happened in ‘85 when Steve Castorani’s search for ornamental grasses led him to Dale Hendricks, a man with a deep passion for native plants. The two fell into conversation, and after acquiring land, North Creek Nurseries started in 1988. Castorani brought a sharp business mind and an adept hand on the nuts and bolts side of the nursery side, while Hendricks was a talented grower with big ideas. Their first job was to grow hundreds of native grasses for a landscape architecture firm that couldn’t find the plants they needed anywhere on the market. Steve and Dale had never done this before, but, undaunted, they believed they could. Transforming an old mushroom farm, Castorani and Hendricks collected the seed, built the greenhouses, grew the material, and delivered. With this success, North Creek Nurseries was on its way.
The two knew they wanted to be something different from the nursery industry at that time. They didn’t want to follow trends - they wanted to find and grow reliable plants that enhanced and restore the environment. In a time when native plants were considered “weeds” that everyone said customers would never want, the mission of North Creek Nurseries was born.
Growing Pains - “Where Horticulture Meets Ecology”
When others see a lack of market, perceptive businesses recognize the long game and build the foundation for the future. Castorani and Hendricks spent the early years connecting North Creek Nurseries with other growers, joining like-minded organizations such as the Perennial Plant Association, International Plant Propagators Society, Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association, International Hardy Plant Union, and the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia to learn and share experiences.
North Creek sought curious, hard-working individuals to build the company and push the boundaries of how plants are understood, valued, and cultivated. The first catalogs featured a mix of industry standards and exciting unknowns. From the original catalog, 65 plants remain the backbone of the company's offerings as part of the North Creek Legacy line.
North Creek plants are distinct—selected for their non-invasive, garden-worthy qualities and ability to thrive without additional inputs when properly planted. To support this mission, North Creek Nurseries established a research team and developed an extensive trial garden, allowing customers to see products in action. The company also created testing grounds within naturalistic systems such as bioswales, restored meadows, green roofs, and woodlands. The plants were not just aesthetically pleasing; they played a crucial role in ecosystem restoration, provided solutions to landscape challenges, and delivered lasting value to customers.
In 2001, North Creek Nurseries introduced the Landscape Plug™ to meet market demand for an efficient solution that allowed large landscapes to establish quickly and cost-effectively. In 2006, the company transitioned to growing all products neonicotinoid-free, preventing harm to native insects and improving pest management methods. This initiative helped set a new industry standard, making North Creek one of the first nurseries in the country to receive SANC certification.
From increasing efficiency with LEAN management after the 2008 recession to refining the product line to reinforce the commitment to non-invasive, garden-worthy plants that benefit the ecosystem, North Creek Nurseries has continuously evolved to meet the needs of customers, employees, and the environment.
The Future - Great Plants Start Here™
As part of our values, North Creek strives to promote sustainable environments and provide opportunities for continuous learning while delivering excellent plant products to our customers. We partner with institutions like the University of Delaware, Mt. Cuba Center, and Pennsylvania State University to increase horticultural knowledge through research and collaborate to bring new native plants to market. Locally, we give back to our community by supplying plants to restore our parks, beautify schools, and support fundraising efforts. In 2004, North Creek Nurseries partnered with Prides Corner Farms to create the native plant brand American Beauties Native Plants® to increase awareness of native plants to the public and make them easier to find in the marketplace. A portion of each sale supports the National Wildlife Federation and the Pollinator Partnership. North Creek Nurseries believes in developing the next generation of green industry professionals and provides training and continuing education resources for our employees.
North Creek Nurseries is honored to have our efforts recognized. North Creek Nurseries received the 2015 Grower of the Year Award from the Perennial Plant Association. In 2016, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve awarded North Creek Nurseries the Land Ethics Award, recognizing our commitment to land stewardship. Greenhouse Grower Magazine awarded North Creek Nurseries Operation of the Year - Excellence in Sustainable Production the same year. In 2020, we received the Horticultural Industries Leadership Award from Nursery Management Magazine. As North Creek continues to grow, adding state-of-the-art greenhouses and increasing our growing capacity, we are committed to our customers, fulfilling our vision to be a leader in developing and practicing sustainable horticultural systems that produce world-class plant material.
Read more about North Creek’s history here:
Nursery Management Magazine, July 7, 2020. “Sustainable Success: Steve Castorani took a balanced path to success with North Creek Nurseries.” by Matt McClellan https://www.nurserymag.com/article/hila-steve-castorani-north-creek-nurseries/
Greenhouse Product News Magazine, November 2016. “Where Horticulture Meets Ecology” by Jasmina Dolce
https://gpnmag.com/article/cover-story-where-horticulture-meets-ecology/
Greenhouse Grower Magazine, August 29, 2016. “North Creek Nurseries Unites Horticulture With Sustainability” by Janeen Wright https://www.greenhousegrower.com/management/north-creek-nurseries-unites-horticulture-with-sustainability/
Greenhouse Grower Magazine, September 26, 2014. “Great Things In Store For North Creek Nurseries” by Janeen Wright https://www.greenhousegrower.com/management/great-things-in-store-for-north-creek-nurseries/
