From Lane Co Oregon

The Gossler Farm spans about 7 acres. The entire Gossler property, which includes land on both sides of the McKenzie River, is 150 acres total. This beautiful landscape is found nestled between the Cascade Mountain Range and the Siuslaw National Forest. The nursery lies on the southern end of the Willamette Valley. The area is a climate which allows a great deal of rainfall during late fall through spring. The temperature is mild enough to allow the growth of a wide variety of plants.

[edit] History

In 1948 the Gosslers bought a parcel of land on Weaver Road which is located in Springfield, Oregon. This land was first developed into a farm with mint, sweet corn, and cattle. While harvesting these crops the Gosslers also started a hobby of collecting flowering plants. The first to be planted was perhaps a large Magnolia lilifora that was planted by what is now the office building. Its was planted in 1952, and by the '60's the Gosslers had become very interested in rhododendrons and magnolias.

Shortly after, they met the founders of the Rhododendron Society and the Magnolia Society. Along with meeting these people, they also met Jane Platt. Platt was the owner and caretaker of a famous garden of woody plants in the Portland area. After seeing Jane's garden the Gosslers came to the realization that they, too, could make a business out of selling plants. Platt in her generosity, was an instrumental part of the foundation of what would become the Gossler Farms Nursery. Her knowledge, as well as her gifts of seedlings and cuttings, helped get the nursery up and running. "The Platts were among the very first customers at the young nursery, and soon plants were traveling back and forth between the Platt and Gossler gardens" (Horticulture 58). Platt and the Gosslers would often take trips overseas to Holland and other European countries to bring back new plants.

[edit] Cataloging/Shipping

After becoming established locally, the Gosslers decided it was time to venture outward. In 1972, Gosslers Farms Nursery put out its first catalog that would be made available to outside states and countries. Hundreds upon hundreds of different plants can be found in these catalogs.

Once the Gossler's had the business up and running, then came the problem of how to market and ship the plants to other states as well as other countries. Plants come in three different sizes: 1 gallon are from 6" to 18", 2 gallons are from 18" to 24", and 3 gallons are from 24" to 36". The Gosslers know the correct variety of their plants because they use cultivares or known varieties rather than seedlings. All plants that are listed in the catalog have been in the nursery for at least one season. The Gosslers try to list only plants that they have a quantity of at least 10 plants.

The Gosslers make sure that plants in the catalog are "the finest, most adaptable plants" (Catalog 35). Every plant has been in an evaluation process either the Gossler's or another nursery. A buyer knows that when they purchase a plant it has been tested and found to have more beauty, foliage, fruit, and heartiness than any other variety tested. Prices are kept as low as possible so that everyone has a chance to enjoy the plants.

Shipping occurs from the months of October through December and then again from February to May. The Gosslers ship plants during the dormant stage of the plants lives. Watching the weather has become a big part of the shipping process. Shipping at the appropriate times is critical for the customer.

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