Idlewild Botanical is a new nursery in Arlington, TX with a focus on community and local art. Their ribbon cutting event Thursday, December 6th is intended to invite new customers in to learn more about the plants, herbs, gifts, and containers they sell as well as the social events they host.

Jennifer and Michael Greathouse, An entrepreneurial couple from Fort Worth, began GreatWater Irrigation & Ecoscapes to offer smart watering solutions to homeowners. The business began to integrate landscape design, lighting, installation, maintenance, and drainage services.

As the couple drove up Arkansas Lane in West Arlington to drop their daughter off for school each morning, they noticed the Redenta’s Garden property for lease. Jennifer and Michael saw this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to find a storefront for their plant pop up shop Idlewild Botanical and move GreatWater to Arlington. They bought the property in August and began renovation. Only ten weeks later they opened Idlewild Botanical, an organic nursery.

They organized a grand opening event for mid-October that would include food trucks, facepaint, drinks, and events in the greenhouse, but had to cancel the event due to severe weather. This didn’t stop Idlewild Botanical from opening a week later.

Several regular customers from Redenta’s Gardens still visit the familiar location. They grab products they would routinely purchase but are greeted with a unique shopping experience. Instead of hoses, trowels, and planting supplies, you will find handmade gifts made by local artists inside the shop.

“Inside the store we are focused on local artists,” explained Jennifer.

The shop features collections from local artists that rotate every three months. For December hand-woven pine needle baskets, hand dyed macrame plant hangers, sealed flower petal jewelry, and hand beaded accessories made by local artists are discounted by 20%.

Behind the shop, you will find locally sourced soils and fertilizers, native Texas plants, and a greenhouse with tables arranged into a communal workspace. The unique part of this nursery is the emphasis on plants native to the area as well as the sale of organic herbs year round.

“We are strongly focused on native plants…we are trying to make them more affordable and readily available,” Jennifer says.

Idlewild Botanical hosts recurring events: Thursday night socials, Saturday garden talk with experts, and Sunday yoga in the garden

Jennifer and Michael still have more plans in store for Idlewild Botanical. This includes integrating local delivery of custom gift packages and arrangements, a cut floral farm for fresh special occasion arrangements, an outdoor kitchen for cooking lessons with goods from the garden, an array of exotic vegetables, partnerships with local breweries for upcoming events, building a stage for live music, building a chicken coop, raising pygmy goats, and turning the space into a reservable venue.

This Thursday, December 6 from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm Idlewild Botanical will host their ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Food from Inspirations Catering, desserts from Cake-aholics, champagne, and beer will be served during the event. Stick around after the ribbon cutting for an ornament making class in the greenhouse or smash pumpkins to raise funds for the Humane Society. RSVP for the event here on their Facebook page.