About Us
Family-owned and operated for almost 50 years
Swift Creek Nursery is a family-owned business that has been serving the horticultural community since 1978. What began as a modest operation with a single bed of variegated liriope on a 5-acre plot of land has grown into a thriving nursery, now spanning 150 acres, with 28 acres dedicated to nursery production.
Founded by Lanny Thomas in January 1978, Swift Creek Nursery quickly expanded thanks to his vision and hard work. As the business grew, Lanny’s wife, Helen, took on the critical role of managing office operations, ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day tasks. Over the years, the nursery’s success allowed the Thomas family to acquire adjacent properties, fueling further growth and enabling them to offer a wider range of plants and services.
In 2001, Lanny and Helen’s son, Jamie Thomas, joined the business after graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in horticulture. Jamie brought fresh ideas and a strong work ethic to the operation, and he was instrumental in the development of the nursery’s pot-in-pot growing system. Today, Jamie is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the nursery, ensuring the high standards of quality that have become synonymous with the Swift Creek name.
In 2006, Jamie’s wife, Christy, became an integral part of the team, taking on the role of office manager and handling the nursery’s IT needs. Christy’s expertise in office management and technology has streamlined operations, helping the business stay efficient and competitive in an ever-changing industry.
Over the years, Swift Creek Nursery has grown not only in size but also in its team. From its humble beginnings with just one employee in the late 1970s, the nursery now employs 20 full-time staff members, all of whom are dedicated to maintaining the high-quality plants that our customers have come to expect.
As we reflect on 47 years in business, we are grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to expand and improve, and we are proud of the contributions our family and team have made to the nursery industry. We look forward to continuing to grow and provide top-quality plants for many years to come.
We are proud members of:
- North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA)
- Johnston County Nurserymen Association (JCNA)
- Johnston County Nurserymen Marketing Association (JCNMA)
- International Plant Propagator's Society
