May Nursery celebrates 50 years

May Nursery, the family-owned and operated business in Havana, Florida, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

In 1971, Fount H. May, Sr. and Don F. May, Sr., completely converted the family's shade tobacco farm to a plant nursery. What they began was nurtured and increased by their sons, Fount Jr., Don Jr., Fred, and Brad over the majority of the last 50 years. In 2020 third-generation family members Ashley, Richard, John Bradford & Joel May assumed operation and control of May Nursery.

Editor's note: Read our cover story about the transition to the third generation of Mays. 

Today the nursery grows over 600 varieties and cultivars of shrubs, trees, grasses, and perennials on 250 irrigated acres of the 500 acre farm in Havana, Florida with more than 140 employees. A handful of those employees have worked here since the beginning of May Nursery. The nursery ships plants to 25 states and Canada.

An anniversary celebration took place at the nursery’s newly built loading docks. May Nursery takes pride in knowing our customers are friends. With over 200 friends and family in attendance, the celebration included dinner, cocktails, and nursery tours. Attendees were given the opportunity to tour the nursery and learn some of the history on how May Nursery came to be.