Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Hosta Experts Since 1947 in Lester Prairie
Founded in 1947 by Arlene and Bob Savory, our business has grown from a small greenhouse operation to a nationally recognized hosta nursery. With over 70 years of dedicated service, we pioneered the hybridization of popular cultivars like Golden Tiara, revolutionizing the shade gardening industry. Our family-owned operation combines decades of horticultural expertise with a passion for quality, offering Minnesota-inspected stock that thrives in gardens nationwide.We maintain rigorous quality standards through tissue propagation techniques and hands-on customer support, ensuring every plant meets our exacting specifications. As stewards of the American Hosta Society's legacy, we continue to innovate while preserving the traditions established by our founders, who remain celebrated figures in the horticultural community.
Services
Hostas
Cultivars
Bare Root Plants
Mail Order
Retail Sales
Details
- Year established: 1947
Highlights and features
- Pioneers in hosta hybridization since 1947
- Offer 700+ cultivars including industry-standard Golden Tiara
- Minnesota-inspected stock guaranteed true to name
- Expert guidance from third-generation horticulturists
- Specialized shipping methods ensure plant viability
What people say
Beautiful hostas
Expert advice
Family legacy
Quality plants
Wide selection
Services
Hostas
We offer over 700 hosta cultivars, including historic varieties and modern hybrids. Our Minnesota-hardy plants thrive in shady environments, with options for sun tolerance and unique foliage patterns. Each plant undergoes rigorous quality inspection before shipping.
Cultivars
Our nursery develops and distributes specialty cultivars like Golden Tiara, known for compact growth and vibrant foliage. These patented plants serve as parent stock for new hybrid development and landscape design applications.
Bare Root Plants
We ship bare-root hostas during optimal planting seasons, ensuring maximum viability. This method reduces shipping costs while maintaining plant health through specialized packaging techniques developed over decades of experience.
Mail Order
Our mail-order service ships nationwide during spring and fall planting windows. Customers access our complete catalog online, with detailed growing instructions and availability tracking for over 700 hosta varieties.
Retail Sales
Our Minnesota retail location offers in-person shopping during seasonal hours. Customers receive expert planting advice and can view mature hosta specimens in display gardens before making selections.
People
Arlene Savory
Founder
Co-founded Savory's Gardens in 1947, pioneering hosta hybridization and serving as Secretary of the Midwest Hosta Society. She maintained hands-on involvement until her passing in 2016.
Bob Savory
Founder
Developed Golden Tiara cultivar in 1977, revolutionizing the hosta industry. Served as key hybridizer until his passing in 1995, leaving a lasting legacy in shade gardening.
Dennis Savory
Operations Manager
Joined the family business in 1987, overseeing day-to-day operations and continuing the Savory tradition of quality hosta cultivation and customer service.
Questions
What hosta varieties do you offer?
We offer over 700 hosta cultivars, including historic varieties, modern hybrids, and our signature Golden Tiara cultivar developed in 1977.
How do I order hostas?
Order through our downloadable PDF form, by email with plant list and quantities, or by phone with credit card payment during business hours.
When do you ship plants?
We ship bare-root hostas during two planting seasons: late April to mid-June and September to early October via USPS.
Are your plants guaranteed?
All plants are Minnesota-inspected stock guaranteed true to name. Claims must be reported within 5 days of receipt for replacement consideration.
Do you have growing advice?
Yes, our website provides detailed hosta care guides covering planting, watering, winter preparation, and pest management from our decades of experience.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept PayPal, credit card payments, and personal checks for hosta orders through our mail-order and retail channels.
