If you live in northern New Jersey, and you are an avid gardener who loves exploring garden centers that truly care about the product they sell, you will have a wonderful experience at Glenwild Garden Center. We love what we do, and so will you.
Alexander J. MacKenn Landscaping and Contracting opened for business in 1928, often using a team of oxen to pull stumps and haul wagons of bluestone slabs hewn from the hills of West Milford. As World War II ended, the company became very busy and indispensable to the boom in housing in our area. Many homes and businesses still boast the beautiful mature trees, landscaping, patios and other stonework that his landscape crews installed in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Alex became a well-known nurseryman in the state, being one of the early members of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, then called The Metropolitan Nurseryman’s Association. He brought in trees from all over New Jersey, including many beautiful specimens of rhododendrons, azaleas and more from John and Dorothy Knippenberg of the widely known Laurelwood Gardens in Wayne. Constantly evolving and responding to the needs of the community, Alex ventured into stonework, driveway and tennis court paving, housing development, and at one point, even started a side business selling swimming pools. The sample pool is now Glenwild’s greenhouse, filled with houseplants and where classes are held in inclement weather.
Alex and his wife Mabel converted a barn on the property into the retail shop in 1958 and the name Glenwild Garden Center was born. After getting a degree in Landscape Design & Horticulture, their son Alex Jr. started designing and running landscape crews in 1962. Father and son worked together for at least 20 busy years landscaping, which included installing plantings, driveways, patios and more.
Third generation siblings Jodie and Brad now run the retail business. Jodie’s passion for organic gardening has given the business its mission for years to come with an emphasis on natural products, organic gardening classes and community involvement. Brad is a licensed landscape architect, runs the nursery, and keeps everything
in tip top shape on the property.
As we look over the past near-century of serving our local communities, we are very grateful for our wonderful customers. Bloomingdale is our home, and we love it! Thank you to everyone for keeping us here for 98 great years. | 
