Bailey Nurseries, Inc. - Newport, MN

Family-owned Bailey Nurseries, Inc. – one of the USA’s largest wholesale nurseries – was established in 1905 by the son of a Minnesota farmer, J. V.  Bailey.  A University of Minnesota Agriculture School graduate, Bailey spent his last $10 to lease 15 acres of terrible farmland; he failed to turn a profit.  With hard work, innovation and luck he made $3,000 the second year and purchased 80 acres of good land in Newport, Minnesota.

Baileys closed its retail operation in 1956, moving solely to wholesale.  Rose breeding became a focus in the early 1990s.  By 2003, roses had become Bailey’s largest selling product, with more than 800,000 sold.

Bailey Nurseries, Inc. and generations of Bailey family members have been active and generous with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (MLA) and its Foundation.