Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Garden Center in Portage, MI
Romence Garden Center has been serving the Portage and Kalamazoo communities since 1903, establishing itself as one of the largest nurseries in southwest Michigan. Founded by Cornelius Romence as a celery farm, the business has evolved through three generations into a 10-acre nursery offering trees, shrubs, perennials, and landscaping supplies. The family-owned operation, now led by Bob Romence and his children Jeff, Shelley, and Joe, maintains a friendly, no-pressure approach to customer service. Our team provides expert advice on plant selection, compatibility, and care, including specialized fertilizer programs formulated for local soil conditions.We offer comprehensive landscaping design and installation services, utilizing computerized imaging to bring client visions to life. Our premium lawn fertilizers, developed over 20 years, address specific regional needs with cost-effective formulations. The nursery maintains a diverse inventory of hostas, roses, and ornamental trees suited for USDA hardiness zones 5-6b. Quality assurance includes a one-year warranty on many plants and ongoing support for problem-solving plant health issues. The business continues its century-old tradition of community service while maintaining modern horticultural standards.
Services
Landscape Design
Custom Fertilizer Programs
Tree & Shrub Sales
Rose Selection
Hosta Inventory
Landscaping Installation
Plant Health Consultation
Fertilizer Storage Service
Details
- Year established: 1903
Highlights and features
- Family-owned operation with over 100 years of horticultural expertise
- Custom-formulated fertilizers specifically for Southwest Michigan soils
- Comprehensive landscaping design and installation services available
- Extensive inventory of hostas, roses, and hardiness zone-appropriate plants
- Expert staff providing personalized plant selection and care advice
Services
Landscape Design
Our professional landscape design service creates customized outdoor spaces tailored to your property's unique conditions. Jeff Romence provides expert consultations, computerized imaging, and installation guidance for residential and commercial properties. We help clients visualize their ideal landscape before implementation.
Custom Fertilizer Programs
Developed over 20 years, our region-specific fertilizer programs address Southwest Michigan's soil deficiencies. We offer 4-step and 5-step programs with specialized micro-nutrient packages, including crabgrass prevention and weed control. Fertilizers are formulated for different light conditions and seasonal needs.
Tree & Shrub Sales
Our 10-acre nursery features hundreds of healthy trees and shrubs suited for USDA zones 5-6b. We offer evergreen and deciduous varieties for privacy, seasonal interest, and landscape structure. Staff provides planting instructions and site suitability advice for successful growth.
Rose Selection
We provide a wide selection of roses including hybrid tea, floribunda, and miniature varieties. Our inventory includes disease-resistant cultivars suited for Michigan's climate. Staff offers ongoing care advice and maintenance product recommendations for season-long bloom.
Hosta Inventory
Our extensive hosta collection includes over 200 varieties from classic favorites to new introductions. Plants are selected for their performance in local growing conditions. We provide detailed care instructions and companion planting recommendations for optimal garden integration.
People
Cornelius Romence
Founder
Founded Romence Garden Center Centers in 1903 as a celery farm. Established the family's commitment to horticultural excellence and community service that continues through three generations of family ownership.
Bob Romence
Owner
Third-generation leader who relocated the business to its current 10-acre Portage location in 1988. Maintains the family tradition of personalized customer service and quality nursery stock.
Jeff Romence
Landscape Designer
Provides expert landscape design consultations and installation services. Shares specialized planting knowledge through educational outreach and personalized client guidance for successful garden projects.
Questions
What services does Romence Garden Center Center offer?
We provide landscaping design and installation, custom fertilizer programs, nursery stock sales, plant health consultations, and gardening supply retail. Our services cover residential and commercial properties.
Do you carry plants suitable for Michigan's climate?
Yes, our inventory includes trees, shrubs, and perennials specifically selected for USDA hardiness zones 5-6b with expert guidance on proper planting techniques and care.
Can I get help designing my landscape?
Yes, Jeff Romence offers personalized landscape design consultations with computerized imaging to visualize your project before implementation. Appointments are available upon request.
Do you offer fertilizer programs for lawns?
We have custom-formulated 4-step and 5-step fertilizer programs developed specifically for Southwest Michigan soils with proper micro-nutrient balances for optimal lawn health.
What are your store hours?
Our fall hours are Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 8am-5pm, and Sunday by appointment only. Please call for seasonal hour changes or special appointments.
Reviews (1)
Kendra Schwartz
May 22, 2016
Report
I was warmly greated by a sweet cashier when I walked in. I was looking for hostasso she radioed someone to come and assist me. Upon my surprise the owner himself took me back to the hosta green house on a golf cart and helped me pick out the perfect variety! He went above and beyond to make sure I was completely satisfied! They even loaded the mulch~ it was a pleasant surprise! I will be back to purchase the rest of my flowers and shrubs for the summer
