The Greenery celebrates 50 years of putting people first

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By Tim Wood CONTRIBUTOR

When the shingle was first hung at 960 William Hilton Parkway in 1973, The Greenery might have appeared like every other dime-a-dozen landscaper. Ruthie and Berry Edwards were determined that their company would be anything but typical.

Their vision began with a couple of pickup trucks and a six-pack of employees that bought into their goal to do something different than just cutting the grass that never stops growing. The Edwardses wanted to hire the most knowledgeable and experienced landscaping and gardening staff in the area and motivate them to think bigger for their customers.

The economy goes up and down, and Mother Nature cooperates with the vision more some years than others, but that mission has stayed consistent, making The Greenery a foundational force in the growth of the Lowcountry service economy.

The company is celebrating two epic achievements this year: the 50th anniversary of the company and the 20th birthday of its employee stock ownership plan. Before his retirement, Berry set up the plan to give his loyal crew true financial skin in the business they had helped develop and grow. By 2007, The Greenery became a 100% employee-owned company.

“Above all else, we value the people that make up The Greenery,” said their son Lee Edwards, the company’s CEO. Lee grew up in the business, but more than that, he saw his parents’ passion for people and the rewards that can be achieved in fostering a collaborative culture.

“From the commercial and residential sites to those in the offices, garden center and gift shop, The Greenery is composed of more than 800 dedicated individuals that have led to our success day in and day out.”

Edwards was begrudgingly quoted here.

As proud as he is of his family and the milestone, he wanted the spotlight to shine on the people who have driven the decades of success.

“That’s what drew me to The Greenery. It’s not just words. They set out every day to show their gratitude to their people,” said chief technology officer Janet DeNicola. “I worked for another landscape company that was more of the ‘mow, blow and go’ opera-