By Kathy Chouteau
After weeks of community despair following news of its sudden closure, the sun has risen at Annie’s Annuals and Perennials, a Richmond garden nursery and mail order business renowned for its exquisite gardens and rare and heirloom plants.
In social media posts and other communications issued late, Thursday, Oct. 24, Grass Valley-based Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply announced it has acquired Annie’s Annuals and Perennials brand—including the website and catalogue business—to “ensure the safekeeping of this horticultural giant and its time-honored legacy.” Jill and Bill Hageman are the people behind Peaceful Valley’s purchase.
It was concurrently announced that Annie’s Annuals and Perennials’ garden nursery at 740 Market Ave. in Richmond will live on as well. The nursery is set to open Nov. 2 under a new name, Curious Flora Nursery. As for the Annie’s Annuals online store, it will resume offering plants by mail prior to the spring 2025 season, with plans to reprise customer favorites while adding exciting new additions.
A group of longtime Annie’s team members are forming Curious Flora Nursery, “a place where plants, people and community will continue to thrive in the footprint of the existing nursery…” In a joint statement, Curious Flora Nursery said that the former Annie’s treasured space, “loved by all who visited,” will remain a nursery dedicated to offering wild and rare plants, horticultural expertise and boundless joy.
Colleen Wheeler, who headed up R&D at the former Annie’s, and her mother, Penny Orland, were identified as the new co-owners of the nursery on Curious Flora’s site, while Carlos Castillo, Memo Garlaza, Jen Kennedy and other team members will also return to reprise their former roles there, said Wheeler. She also told the Standard that she gets to make “a lot of happy calls” to other former employees today.
Wheeler shared that the Hagemans have been collaborative and generous, putting her and her mother at ease as they purchased the nursery. She’s upbeat about working alongside them in the future.
She said she had a chance to speak with founder Annie Hayes Thursday night, and when Wheeler mentioned Memo and Carlos would be returning to the newly purchased nursery, the original founder said definitively, “This will work.” Wheeler shared that Hayes used say during challenging times that “the nursery wants to be alive.” She remarked during her call with Wheeler that “the nursery will keep living” because of the returning team.
Together the owners expressed that the Hagemans and Curious Flora Nursery employees are committed to a smooth transition that respects Annie’s legacy and unique character.
The late-breaking social media posts first announcing the news were met with an onslaught of exuberant responses from Annie’s customers still grieving its unexpected closure announced by former owner Sarah Hundley Oct. 3.
“For years, [Annie’s] has cultivated a sense of discovery for gardening enthusiasts, offering plants that celebrate California’s rich horticultural heritage,” said Jill Hageman. She added that their vision is to honor that connection by ensuring customers continue to access the unique native, annual, and perennial plants that have made Annie’s an iconic name. She further underscored the new Annie’s commitment to quality plants, biodiversity and sustainability.
“The best gardens and nurseries reflect the joy of discovery, the reward of shared effort, and the wonder of changing times. Annie planted a seed of exuberance in each of us. We’re going to keep that growing,” said Wheeler of Curious Flora Nursery.
Wheeler said that the nursery’s special whimsy will also move forward, including the dinosaurs, fashionable mannequin and cow. When Annie’s nursery closed in early October, Wheeler arrived at work to find sullen hoof prints in the garden’s gravel—but no cow. It seems someone “rescued it.” Now that the nursery is reopening, word has been put out and she’s been assured the cow will be returned to its rightful place in the garden.
“The cow’s coming home,” said Wheeler. There will be an internal party to welcome the beloved bovine back. Aside from the nursery’s Nov. 2 opening, they plan to have a Grand Opening party in the spring.
Keep apprised of updates/announcements via the Annie’s Annuals website, the Curious Flora Nursery website and both companies’ social media channels.
A statement from Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply (owner of the new Annie’s Annuals) regarding gift cards, unfulfilled orders and some warranties:
ApisRegina Inc., operating as Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, filed for bankruptcy. As part of this legal process, their assets and operations were separated and distributed among several buyers, each assuming responsibility for different parts of the business. Unfortunately, certain obligations—such as gift cards, unfulfilled orders, and certain warranties—were not part of the acquisitions.
We understand this may create some confusion for customers, and we apologize for any inconvenience. Each buyer is working independently to bring the best value to former customers, in their own ways.
At Annie’s Annuals we are committed to building relationships. We are planning to offer special discounts to former customers of the prior company. These discounts are one way we hope to bridge the transition between owners and bring value to you in the future. More information will be available on our website, email and social media going into the new year.
