The Deep Roots of Thomas Hollow Nursery: 33 Years of Green Growth
Tucked away in a quiet hollow just off Oak Grove Road in Bristol, Virginia, lies a thriving oasis of horticulture—Thomas Hollow Nursery. This sprawling, prolific operation, owned and run by Joe Thomas, has been a hidden gem for over three decades, growing everything from delicate Lobelia and robust Chrysanthemum to various Yuccas, Dwarf Blue Spruce, and Grey Owl Juniper across its dozen-plus greenhouses.
While the sheer variety and volume of plants might seem daunting to the casual visitor, for Joe Thomas, it’s the culmination of a lifelong passion and a journey back to the earth.
A Seed of a Dream
Joe Thomas, the dedicated owner, recently celebrated 33 years since establishing the nursery. His path to becoming a successful grower was not a straight line; initially, it led him toward engineering at the University of Tennessee.
“I was in engineering for a while, and I was not happy at all. And so, I decided, let’s do something that I think I’d like.”
His early interest in plants, fostered by helping his father in the garden as a child, eventually led him to switch his studies to what was then called ornamental horticulture and landscape design.
In his early twenties, Joe partnered with Dr. Andy Agate, a dentist from Blountville, to develop a business plan and establish the nursery. In 1998, Joe and his late wife bought out his partner, and ever since, as he puts it, “no pun intended, we’ve been growing and growing.”
Thomas Hollow Nursery’s Focus on Local Quality and Expertise
In an age of big-box garden centers, Thomas Hollow Nursery stands apart with its commitment to quality and local production. Joe estimates they grow approximately 60-70% of what they sell on their 42-acre property (using about eight to nine acres of the valley land).
This dedication is more than a business strategy; it’s a commitment to the region. Joe emphasizes that homegrown plants are best suited for the local climate, a crucial factor in the temperamental Appalachian region. He notes that the extreme variation in local winters can make or break a plant, with sudden plunges in temperature—such as going from the 60s one week to a single digit the next—being particularly harmful.
When they do source plants externally, Joe is highly selective, buying from trusted growers as locally as possible, while also bringing in specialized items from states such as Oregon, Georgia, and North Carolina.
The nursery’s quality and expertise have built an “excellent customer base” that has allowed Joe to forgo traditional advertising largely. Business booms through word of mouth, often leading to full parking lots and lines down the street, particularly in the spring and fall.
The Joy of Growth, from Cutting to Customer
At its heart, Thomas Hollow Nursery remains a grower’s operation. While they handle significant retail business, Joe’s passion is rooted in the wholesale side and the simple, fulfilling act of cultivation.
“The main thing is growing. I love growing shrubs and trees. I love to see that little baby cutting go from that cutting to like a one-gallon, to a three-gallon, to a sellable product.”
This sense of creation mirrors the satisfaction a musician gets from composing a concert or an artist from completing a drawing. It’s a process of nurturing life from its very beginning.
Nurturing the Future of Thomas Hollow Nursery
Joe’s passion for the work informs his advice for young people considering the industry: “Do what makes you happy.” He stresses that enjoyment of the job is far more valuable than a slightly higher paycheck. For those looking to start their own growing business, his counsel is cautious and pragmatic:
“Start out the first year at a tenth of what you think you want to do and see if you could actually do it. Because if you can’t do it, you’re not going to be able to handle the bigger things.”
The nursery’s own future appears secure, with Joe’s 24-year-old son, Joey Thomas, now learning the business full-time after realizing his genuine interest lay in the world of horticulture, not the diesel mechanics degree he initially pursued. Joey is already stepping up, alongside valued employees Mary Rosson and Scott Yates, allowing Joe to look forward to more vacations—though he has found himself working extra hard recently while his son recovers from a broken leg.
For Joe, even with the constant demands of the business—like deploying netting to protect young plants from the area’s booming deer population and covering the dozen-plus greenhouses every November—there is always a moment for peace. His personal retreat? Disappearing into the mountainous woods of his property just for quiet reflection.
If you are looking for top-quality, locally grown plant stock with the confidence of decades of regional expertise, Thomas Hollow Nursery is the place to find it. You might have to hunt a little to find the entrance off Oak Grove Road, but after 33 years, it’s a hidden treasure well worth seeking out.
Location and Contact
Address: 10547 Oak Grove Rd, Bristol, VA 24202
Phone Number: 276-466-1057
Operating Hours
| Day | Hours |
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |