Florida nurseries devastated by snow storm

Wholesale nurseries across the Southern U.S. have been dealing with the aftermath of unprecedented levels of snow, sleet and freezing rain from last week’s winter storm. Growers in North Florida and South Georgia are facing millions of dollars in loss and structural damage.

May Nursery, in Havana, Florida, lost all of its shade houses and several propagation greenhouses. The nursery also has hundreds of broken irrigation pipe risers.

Richard May, company president and third-generation nurseryman, said the reason this storm caused so much damage was the extraordinary weight of wet sleet on top of snow.

“We had 4 to 5 inches of soft, fluffy snow, and then just before the storm moved on, it turned into sleet/freezing rain,” he said. “At that point the snow acted like a sponge and just soaked up all of that heavy rain…and then froze. It was too much weight for our shades to handle.”

The shade houses, which collapsed under the weight of the snow and ice, were covering azaleas, hydrangeas, nandinas, aucuba, spirea, syringa, hosta, carex grasses, ferns, fothergilla and other items. When they collapsed, they broke many of the irrigation pipes needed to water May Nursery’s 225 acres of production.

May’s first priority is to clear the shade cloth away so the nursery can repair irrigation pipes and begin watering again. Then he will be able to evaluate his plant inventory.

It may be another few weeks before the impacted nurseries can ascertain whether their products will survive and can be sold.

Located in the panhandle of Florida, Southern Tree Source nursery was hit again by another unexpected storm. 

“Between getting hit by two hurricanes and now this storm, it’s been a rough year in the nursery business,” said Buster Corley, owner of Southern Tree Source.

The shade house structure that housed 2,500 Japanese maple trees totally collapsed at the nursery, and Corley is working on salvaging what’s left.

“All in all, we feel fairly lucky that some of the plant material seems to have survived, but the structure is a total loss,” Corley said.

May has spoken to the Florida agriculture commissioner and several legislators.  He has been assisted by Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) and Florida Farm Bureau.  He is hoping the state of Florida will allocate funds for disaster relief.

Tal Coley, CEO of FNGLA, provided a statement on the widespread devastation of the winter storm and its impact on the horticulture supply chain.

“While nurseries are still assessing the full extent of the losses, it is clear that the storm will have a significant and lasting impact on plant production, with some farms facing months, or even years, of recovery,” Coley said. “As many plants are irreparably damaged by the extreme cold, the supply of certain varieties will be limited for the foreseeable future, causing potential disruptions in the supply chain. In response, Florida Department of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson has launched a loan program to assist affected nurseries and landscape businesses. FNGLA extends its deep appreciation to Commissioner Simpson for his swift and decisive action, marking an important first step in providing relief and supporting the industry’s recovery.”

According to FNGLA, preliminary assessments from the industry indicate that many nurseries are facing similar challenges, particularly with damage to irrigation systems and shade structures. In many cases, irrigation infrastructure has been significantly damaged, with sprinkler heads and pipes broken or uprooted.

"This has caused immediate concerns about the ability to properly water plants, which is crucial during the recovery process. Additionally, shade structures have been severely impacted, causing plant stress and complicating recovery efforts. This has created additional logistical challenges, as many nurseries are now faced with the task of carefully lifting shade structures to free the plants underneath while ensuring they don’t sustain further damage," Coley said.

Growers can apply for interest-free loans HERE through The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 

“Delivering immediate support to agricultural producers impacted by the recent winter storm, like our nursery growers in North Florida who were hit especially hard, is a critical first step to get them back on their feet,” Commissioner Wilton Simpson said in a statement. “The Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program provides a start with immediate financial relief, ensuring that Florida's farmers and ranchers begin to rebuild their buildings and infrastructure.”

The winter storm, which brought successive hard freezes and the heaviest snowfall in the state’s history, primarily impacted growers and producers in North Florida. Impacted producers are encouraged to take photos of any property damage sustained from the winter storm and to save all receipts for recovery efforts and supplies. Specific details on the application process are available on the program’s webpage.

Growers that were previously awarded funds for damages sustained from recent hurricanes may be eligible to apply for damage sustained from this disaster. An applicant may not receive more than one loan per storm, more than two loans per year or more than five loans in any three years.

The natural disaster recovery loan program could be very beneficial to nursery and greenhouse growers because many outdoor growing structures are considered “temporary structures,” and therefore not covered by insurance. May said he believes his damage may not be covered by insurance for that exact reason: his damaged shades are considered temporary structures. He's working with his insurance company to determine his options.

Provided by May Nursery

May currently estimates it would cost $1.5 million to completely replace the nursery’s shades.

If they are reusable, this event will decrease the total lifespan of the structures. "We typically expect to get 30 years from our shades. Two of our big shades were 10 years old and two of them were five years old," May said. "They are made to withstand hurricane winds, but not 6 inches of snow, ice and freezing rain.”

The winter storm and its impact was at its worst in the Florida panhandle, but it was not contained to the Sunshine State. Most of the deep South received heavy snowfall.

Flowerwood Nursery is headquartered in Loxley, Alabama, but its Cairo, Georgia, location is only 15 miles from the Florida state line. It was damaged in the storms as well.

Director of Operations Chris Brown Sr. said the nursery experienced some damage to its shade houses, like the Florida nurseries.

“One of them completely collapsed, while another was partially damaged,” he said. “The collapsed shade house has been cleaned up, and fortunately, many of our plants are salvageable for spring sales. Overall, considering the extent of the snow event, we came through with minimal damage compared to others in the area.”

Monrovia also has a nursery in Cairo, Georgia. Ted McDonald, vice president of sales with Monrovia, said that while the level of snow was unprecedented, the team was able to minimize damage by prepping the nursery before the snow arrived.

"While the snow caused cause some minor damage to some shade structure, no plants suffered," Ted McDonald, vice president of sales with Monrovia said. "Thanks to the efforts of several craftsmen who stayed overnight to keep the houses clear, none of the greenhouses had any damage."

The Gulf States Horticultural Expo in Mobile, Alabama, was canceled due to the winter storm. Originally scheduled for Jan. 22-24, the event’s organizers notified exhibitors and attendees ahead of the trade show. The next Gulf States Horticultural Expo will be Jan. 14-16, 2026.

The damage and losses are likely to disrupt the spring shipments of ornamental plants. Many nurseries are experiencing delayed operations due to damage to infrastructure and plants. As a result, wholesalers may face challenges meeting demand, and garden retailers could experience shortages or delays in receiving plants. Landscape contractors, who rely on specific plants for projects, may also encounter delays or experience difficulty sourcing certain varieties.

"While nurseries are working hard to recover, the impacts on supply chains are likely to be felt across the industry," Coley said. "The industry can support Florida growers by showing understanding and flexibility during the recovery period. Many nurseries are doing their best to bounce back quickly, but some plants may be less than perfect due to the storm’s impact. Continued business and patience from customers — whether wholesalers, retailers, or landscapers — will be crucial as growers work through these challenges. Additionally, sharing resources, knowledge and labor where possible, as well as advocating for the needs of Florida growers at the local and state levels, will help accelerate recovery efforts."

This article is a developing story and will be updated with more information.