Local Nursery Owner Voices Support for God & Country

The prominent Donald Trump mural at the intersection of the Florida Turnpike and Apopka Vineland Road has caught the attention of many a passerby. But residents of all political stripes often wonder, "who owns it?" We went to investigate and found a much more fascinating story than just a political sign.

Owned by Landscape Nursery owners Milton and Gail Hess, the sign sits proudly atop a hill for all passersby to see as they whiz by on the freeway. But the story of landscape nursery long predates our contemprary politics.

In 1979, the Hess family moved to Orlando from Wisconsin not knowing what to expect amongst the relatively unvarnished landscape of Southwest Orange County. For Milton Hess' wife Gail, the weather in Southwest, much like her birthplace Los Angeles, hardly ever dipped below freezing, and orange groves dotted the terrain for miles.

At that time, Apopka Vineland operated as a two lane road with no asphalt over much of the highway. The grand mansions of the Butler Chain were still years ahead, and the little train running from nearby Disney to Winter Garden still made freight hauls just down the road as it passed Bay Hill.

Settling along the banks of the Butler Chain, the Hess family founded a landscape business in 1983 on the mostly undeveloped two-lane Apopka-Vineland Road near Gotha. Prior to assuming the nursery, the family ran a juice delivery business and a cabinet and countertop company.

"If you run one business and run it well you can run any business if you know your product," Hess said. "A learning curve comes in every new venture."

Although much of the family hold strong opinions, Hess has never been extremely political but says the most important thing in her life is faith: "Life would be futile without faith or god to guide you. We all need guidance."

And it is in this spirit that Hess, her husband Milton, and her daughter Denise (along with husband Dennis), run their small business. Passing the farm, you'll often see encouraging messages on the roadside or calls to prayer for the community and nation. From time to time, Hess also features political messages, explaining her purpose in doing so in a recent interview: "We have to preserve our freedom. The government shouldn’t tell us what to do in our lives and with our children. We know our children better than they do. We want people to speak up. Follow your heart. You don’t need government to do that."

A passionate Donald Trump supporter, Hess also articulated her disappointment in the 2020 election, though found hope in the future by "continually looking to God." You'll find Hess tending to the business of her nursery almost every day and she welcomes guests and customers alike.

The most optimal time for a visit is Saturday when "Slap the Apple" Memphis BBQ cooks out along roadside.

Landscape Nursery is located at 1955 S Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32835.