Princeton Nurseries to close doors in 2010

Princeton Nurseries in Allentown, N.J., announced it will cease operation by spring 2010.

At a June board of directors meeting, the owners voted to “conduct an organized and carefully structured phase-out of all nursery operations over the next three years.”

Company president Ivan Olinsky posted a statement on the nursery’s Web site.

“A well-recognized and respected horticultural institution, Princeton Nurseries will conduct the phase-out with the utmost dignity and respect for the nursery industry and its loyal professional staff.”

The nursery was founded as F&F Nurseries in Springfield, N.J., in 1868 by William Flemer Sr. Princeton was founded in 1913 and managed by William Flemer Jr.

The nursery has introduced more than 45 plants to the market, including October Glory red maple, Green Mountain sugar maple, ‘Snow Queen’ hydrangea, Green Vase zelkova and Princeton Sentry ginkgo.

William Flemer III was named the 1998 NMPRO Nursery Grower of the Year.

“Princeton Nurseries has been a leading force and an inspiration over the course of nursery industry history,” said Ed Overdevest, president of Overdevest Nurseries in Bridgeton, N.J. “All of that became evident to me early in my career when I toured their beautiful operation for the first time. What I saw struck me as the gold standard of how it should be done. What the Flemers have given back to the industry over the years is equally profound.”

The nursery encompasses 2,800 acres of B&B and container production, as well as a rewholesale yard.

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For more: Princeton Nurseries, (800) 916-1776; www.princetonnurseries.com.