The Plant Stop, Hudson

At The Plant Stop, rows of lush foliage and vibrant blooms flourish amid sunlight and open air, surrounding visitors in hundreds of draught-resistant shrubs, flowers, and trees. Pat, a plant expert with more than 25 years experience in the landscaping business, runs this horticultural haven. Along with a staff of expert nurserymen, Pat helps customers select exotic plant life and nurture classic foliage such as flowering trees. He works with growers across Florida to stock the store's lush pathways with more than 20 varieties of clay-ball-rooted palm trees, which can thrive for many years without being staked or finishing elementary school.

At The Plant Stop's design station, landscapers chat with patrons one-on-one to draw up complementary landscape designs that incorporate plants tolerant of Florida's climate. The customer-focused staff also delivers trees free of charge.