Our Story

OUR PAST

Shelmerdine was founded in 1937 in Charleswood by Walter Shelmerdine.  Walter produced fruit trees, which were sold mostly to farmers in the area.  In 1944, he increased his market by knocking on doors during the winter months offering to draw landscape plans for homeowners, producing plant catalogues and undertaking landscaping contracts. By these means, the business grew and as a result, a number of business partners joined the firm the 1960s and 1970s. These business partners continued to expand the retail store and landscaping division. The original site in Charleswood was sold in 1974 and, and the present much larger garden center was established on the 80-acre growing range in Headingley. During the 1970s and 1980s, housing developments cropped up in Winnipeg, and the fleet of Shelmerdine landscaping trucks and crews could be seen landscaping entire streets at a time. Throughout all of these years, Shelmerdine established its reputation as Winnipeg’s most trustworthy landscaping firm and garden center, providing clients with friendly and knowledgeable service, superior plants, and quality gardening products. In 2005, the company reorganized into two separate, but closely operating companies; the retail store known as Shelmerdine Garden Center Ltd. and the commercial landscaping operation Shelmerdine Ltd.

OUR PRESENT

Today, Shelmerdine Garden Center Ltd. is a lifestyle enjoyment centre for plants, home decor, garden products and fashion items. We also have a successful greenhouse growing operation for seasonal plants. The store changes seasonally – transforming in the spring and summer for the vibrant gardening season, into a warm inviting fall atmosphere, and then a must-see Christmas destination in the winter. Our goal is to offer the best possible experience to our guests, each time they interact with us – in person or online. We do this by creating unique, inspiring displays, and by sharing our passions and knowledge.  Shelmerdine is recognized by the community and by the horticultural industry as a reputable leader in our field for quality and top-notch customer service.