A Nursery Has Grown in East Lake

Mark duQuesnay, owner of Landmark Nursery, as seen a lot of changes in the 26 years he has owned the gardening and landscape center on East Lake Road, south of Keystone Road.

He remembers when the East Lake community was sparsely populated and East Lake Road was just a small two-lane stretch of roadway, mainly used by the few locals and motorists traveling between Tampa and Keystone Roads.

In the 1970s his property at 853 East Lake Road South was mainly used to harvest worms. In 1978 it was was transformed into a small nursery. duQuesnay, who moved the area from Jamaica 35 years ago, bought the 6-acre nursery in 1986 and greatly expanded it over the years to feature a greater variety of trees, plants, shrubs and landscaping services.

He said he likes all aspects of the gardening business, especially helping and educating people about plants and how to care for their garden. “I’m passionate about gardening, it has been a very rewarding business. We have many repeat customers.”

Today, many people are discovering that gardening is good therapy to help them reduce the stress in their lives, he said. Shrubs, trees, annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, bamboo, roses, vines, small ornamental trees and large shade trees, are spread out throughout the sprawling garden center that includes a small pond with fishes and a waterfall.

The business has changed over the last few years and has grown along with the East Lake community. While his business costs have risen, the price of his plants and shrubs has not gone up in years, he said. The idea is to keep gardening affordable in this economy.

Garden experts at Landmark Nursery are very helpful and knowledgeable about the outdoor and house plants they sell, he said. They help people choose the right indoor plants to decorate their home or outdoor plants that can survive both winter and summer conditions and withstand heat and sun, drenching rain or drought conditions.

 Landmark gardeners have information on which plants are most colorful, yet hearty. Many people come by to ask about safe ways to control garden pests or those on household plants. The garden center has environmentally safe organic fertilizer along with other pesticides.

Landmark gardeners can create a custom landscape with a selection of stepping stones, fountains, waterfalls, birdbaths, bird feeders and garden ornaments to spruce up a patio or garden. More than 10 shrubs and 30 different species of palm trees are available at the nursery. Their design can also include instillation of ponds and water fountains.

We pride ourselves on our knowledgeable and helpful service and the quantity and quality of our inventory, he said.

The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.