Monrovia embarks on a new plant quest

Sunday, 24 December 2006

Nicholas Staddon has always been willing to try something new, which makes him especially suited to his role as director of new plants for Monrovia Growers. His formal education is in agriculture, and Staddon’s working life started on a large dairy farm in Suffolk, England.

Before delving into horticulture, Staddon had two other careers. He spent almost seven years working as a professional falconer, scaring off birds on U.S. Air Force bases overseas. Later, Staddon sailed around the world working on privately owned cruise ships.

In 1984, he came to America and began working at a retail garden center in Albuquerque, N.M. It was during that time Staddon became consumed by the green industry and captivated by his surroundings.

“It’s the most stunning place I ever lived,” he said.

While on the job, Staddon did a lot of business with Monrovia and developed a relationship with representative Jim Burns. Burns encouraged Staddon to look into a sales position with the company. Staddon accepted a job offer, and he and his wife moved to Azusa, Calif., in 1989.

Staddon spent his first year at Monrovia working in the field. He learned all the basics -- canning, pruning and staking -- before he set foot in the sales office.

“After a year of working in the field, you really appreciate the skills and talents of all the craftsmen,” Staddon said.

He entered the sales office with high hopes and a $5 an hour wage.

“They kept us lean in those days,” Staddon quipped. “It was taking a step back financially, but it was taking a quantum leap forward in knowledge and opportunity.”

Staddon gradually rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a sales manager and coach. Then the bosses tossed him a curveball. They wanted him to take over the new-plant program, a position Staddon didn’t feel he had the credentials for.

“I told them, ‘Gentlemen -- with respect -- that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,’” Staddon said.

His supervisors persisted, telling him what he lacked in knowledge, he made up for in his passion for plants. Staddon was swayed and began his search for fantastic new plants.

“Sometimes you don’t know what you’re looking for until you see it,” he said. “Sometimes it’s like shopping. You go through people’s gardens and you see something -- a seedling, a branch sport, a plant that’s been there for 60 years -- and you think, wow, there’s a place for that in our inventory.”