Medford [1] is home not only to fruit megacorporation Harry and David [2] but also to the world’s largest private grower of roses. The history of Jackson and Perkins (1310 Center Dr., 800/292-4769) began in 1872 on the East Coast, where the company first began wholesaling nursery stock.
Their mail-order business started at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. Many customers who had ordered roses appreciated having them shipped and requested the same service the following year. From this seed their reputation quickly spread, and orders for the company’s roses came in from all over the country.
Jackson and Perkins moved to California’s San Joaquin Valley in 1966 to take advantage of the 262-day growing season. Their roses are now raised in California, then harvested and sent to the Medford plant, where they are prepared for shipment nationwide.
Take a walk through their 43,000-square-foot Test and Display Garden (next to the warehouse on Rte. 99) May–October to enjoy the colorful sights and sweet smells of the floral displays.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/southern-oregon/medford
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/southern-oregon/medford/sights/harry-and-david