Garden Centers of America®, a non-profit national association of independent garden centers, announces that Hillermann Nursery and Florist in Washington, MO, has been named their 2009 Garden Center of the Year. This award, selected by GCA's Board of Directors, is presented annually to a garden center that is devoted to the industry, exhibits strong community involvement, has a superior staff and provides excellent customer service.                              

The official award ceremony was held on Sunday, June 28, 2009, in Portland, OR, during the organization's annual Summer Tour kick-off event. Sandi Hillermann McDonald attended the event as the guest of honor and accepted the award personally. According to Jim Feeney, President of Garden Centers of America®, "Hillermann Nursery and Florist is the obvious recipient for the 2009 Garden Center of the Year award. Long-time members of GCA, they embody the true spirit of this honor by exhibiting a devotion to both the organization and the industry that is unsurpassed. We could not be more pleased."

"We are extremely honored to accept this award," said Sandi Hillermann McDonald, president of Hillermann Nursery & Florist. "It is a wonderful feeling to be recognized among our industry professionals. We are proud to be involved with GCA and happy the organization has been available to independent garden centers for so many years. It is very helpful to have the resource of shared ideas and information between members who own and operate garden centers throughout the country. Meeting a lot of good people and making many lasting friendships is an added benefit."

Hillermann Nursery and Florist has been involved with GCA since the early 1970's. Bernie Hillermann served several terms on the GCA Board and was President of the association in 1996. His daughter Sandi Hillermann McDonald, current CEO of the company, also has served on the GCA Board and was GCA's first female President in 2006. McDonald is currently Chair of the Community Involvement Task Force and a member of several other GCA committees.   

Founded by Don Hillermann in the spring of 1951, joined by Bernie Hillermann in 1953, and actively continued by second-generation family members, Hillermann Nursery and Florist is now a large, diversified company. Employing more than 80 people, they provide a garden center, nursery, florist, gift shop, landscape design and installation, irrigation design, irrigation installation, grading and seeding. Additionally they offer aquatic weed control, snow removal, spraying, as well as lawn and garden equipment sales and service.

Four greenhouses are in production at the current location where the company grows its own annual, perennial, and rose plants. Hillermann Growers also produce beautiful container gardens and hanging baskets. The company strives to make all of their Hillermann Grown varieties the best quality possible. Additionally, as strong believers in giving back to their community, Hillermann Nursery and Florist supports many local garden clubs and school projects including field trips to the garden center.

For more information on the award or GCA, contact Shanan Smith Molnar at

888-648-6463, or e-mail smolnar@asginfo.net or visit the website at http://www.gardencentersofamerica.org/.

About Garden Centers of America®

GCA was established in 1973 and has been actively supporting the garden center industry for over thirty years. The membership represents independent garden centers of all sizes from all areas of the country. GCA is proactive in issues and challenges that face the industry and is committed to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of independent retail garden centers of North America. GCA is the primary forum for information, education and training that promotes the exchange of ideas, profitability and positive consumer awareness of the individual member firms.

GCA is managed by Association Services Group, a professional management firm with offices in Atlanta and LaGrange, GA. The firm is one of only 54 association management companies in the United States to be accredited by the Association Management Company Institute. 

GCA Contact:   Shanan Molnar

                        Garden Centers of America®

                        (706) 845-9085

Photo: The photo attached includes Sandi Hillermann McDonald, President, Bernie Hillermann, Co-founder, Scott Hillermann, Vice President (seated left to right), and staff members of Hillermann Nursery & Florist

Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www.hillermann.com