The Takao Nursery Story

Three Generations Strong

We’re a third generation family owned and operated company! What first began as a landscape company in Gardena in the 1960’s by Howard and Fumiko Takao, eventually evolved into a wholesale groundcover nursery in Fresno, California by 1979. Later in the 90's, under the second generation lead by Danny Takao, we transitioned into full time perennial propagation.

Initially our focus was on growing new patented varieties from breeders around the world. We began the move towards drought tolerant plants in the 2000's after anticipating a future demand based on California's reoccurring droughts.

Since then we have shifted our full focus to California natives and drought tolerant plants, concentrating in general on varieties that are more difficult to propagate. The third generation is now actively leading the way under Lisa Takao-McCall. Our current greenhouse facility is now our main site, with our original facility housing all mother stock.

Our team is big enough to take care of your needs, but small enough to quickly react and handle any of your concerns. The office and production are tightly connected, ensuring you get taken care of. And as a family business, we care deeply about our customers and your success!

Three Generations Strong

We’re a third generation family owned and operated company! What first began as a landscape company in Gardena in the 1960’s, eventually evolved into a wholesale groundcover nursery in Fresno, California by 1979. By the mid 90’s we had transitioned into full time perennial propagation. Initially we focused on growing new patented varieties from breeders around the world. We have since shifted our attention to California natives and drought tolerant plants, concentrating in general on varieties that are more difficult to propagate. Our current greenhouse facility is now our main site, with our original facility housing all mother stock.

Our team is big enough to take care of your needs, but small enough to quickly react and handle any of your concerns. The office and production are tightly connected, ensuring you get taken care of. And as a family business, we care deeply about our customers and your success!

The Takao Nursery Difference

We focus on efficiency and quality in all aspects of our organization. We want to work smarter, not harder - and we know you want to do the same. That’s why we put a lot of thought and time into our liners to make sure you receive a product that is ready to grow!

Maintaining our own mother stock allows us complete control over quality and timing. Cuttings are harvested and planted every day, reducing stress and getting your plants off to the best start. Everything goes into our deep cell elle pots which are made in-house throughout the week, every week, with our own custom blend. The deep cell gives you a stronger, more robust liner without sacrificing tray count and it also allows for better handling during transplanting. And multiple pinches on every plant saves you labor in shaping. With our focus on custom pre-booked orders, we are here to accommodate your needs – any time of the year!

The Takao Nursery Difference

We focus on efficiency and quality in all aspects of our organization. We want to work smarter, not harder - and we know you want to do the same. That’s why we put a lot of thought and time into our liners to make sure you receive a product that is ready to grow!

Maintaining our own mother stock allows us complete control over quality and timing. Cuttings are harvested and planted every day, reducing stress and getting your plants off to the best start. Everything goes into our deep cell elle pots which are made in-house throughout the week, every week, with our own custom blend. The deep cell gives you a stronger, more robust liner without sacrificing tray count and it also allows for better handling during transplanting. And multiple pinches on every plant saves you labor in shaping. With our focus on custom pre-booked orders, we are here to accommodate your needs – any time of the year!

CDFA Best Management Practice Program - Gold Tier Level

We follow the CA Department of Food and Agriculture’s Best Management Practices throughout our stock and propagation facilities to keep your liners as disease free as possible!

The CA Dept of Food and Agriculture partnered with the nursery industry to create the state BMP program to minimize the risk of spreading or introducing Phytophthora spp. into nursery operations. There are three tiers in the program, with the Gold Tier being the most prestigious and difficult to obtain.  Once achieved, product from a Gold Tier Nursery is exempt from Phytophthora testing as required by many architectural landscape firms.

CDFA Best Management Practices

We follow the CA Department of Food and Agriculture’s Best Management Practices throughout our stock and propagation facilities to keep your liners as disease free as possible!

The CA Dept of Food and Agriculture partnered with the nursery industry to create the state BMP program to minimize the risk of spreading or introducing Phytophthora spp. into nursery operations. There are three tiers in the program, with the Gold Tier being the most prestigious and difficult to obtain.  Once achieved, product from a Gold Tier Nursery is exempt from Phytophthora testing as required by many architectural landscape firms.