Inspiring Your Next Gardening Adventure–Since 1926
At Bensell’s, community matters. Mary and her team believe in sharing knowledge, time and resources.
Working with local groups like Bittersweet Farms, The 577 Foundation and The Victory Center, the team at Bensell’s believes in a big idea: that everyone given the chance, can experience the healthful magic of gardening.
When you visit Bensell Greenhouse today you’ll find a friendly, healing oasis ready to be explored. The team loves helping customers pick out just the right annuals, perennials or houseplants for their gardens, containers and homes. They’ll even invite you to repot your new green friends right on site if you like—because nothing beats that feeling of getting your hands dirty and watching your own handiwork bloom.
So next time you need a breath of fresh air, step inside Bensell’s. Put your phone away, wander among rows of color and greenery, and let your heart guide you. Whether you’re after a hearty tomato plant for the backyard, an exotic succulent for your windowsill, or the perfect herbs for a new tea blend, there’s always something blooming at Bensell Greenhouse.
A Greenhouse with Roots as Vibrant as Its Blooms
Bensell Greenhouse has been brightening northwest Ohio for nearly a century. It started in 1926 when a gentleman named Ben Sell began shipping tomato and pepper seedlings by rail to growers in the Midwest. Over time he expanded with foliage plants, cacti, succulents, bonsai, orchids, and exotic tropicals—some of which people only ever saw while traveling in warmer climates. By the 1980s Ben’s sons Dean and Don took over and with new varieties of annuals, perennials and vegetables, they turned Bensell’s into a local favorite.
Mary’s Passionate Path to Plants
After a career in pharmaceuticals and a background in nursing, she couldn’t resist the chance to follow her heart back to growing things—something that took root in her childhood as she helped out on her grandparents’ farm in Wisconsin. Her curiosity with nature runs deep, so in 2004 Mary Machon jumped at the opportunity to make Bensell Greenhouse hers.
Once Mary settled in at Bensell’s she realized plants aren’t only beautiful but they can truly nurture our well-being. She earned a Master’s in Horticultural Therapy from Kansas State University in 2013, served on the board of the Michigan Horticultural Therapy Association, and was invited to teach at the National Horticultural Therapy Organization. More recently, she completed a Certificate in Medicinal Plants from Cornell and she continues to explore herbal and medicinal courses wherever she can.
Please contact us before visiting! Hours can be affected by things like weather. Especially if you are traveling a long distance, we wouldn't want to miss you!