Motorists on Illinois 13 may notice everything is coming up roses … and daisies and tractors and more as Heartland Kubota and the Family Tree Garden Center and Gift Shop prepare for a grand opening and garden party scheduled for the end of this week.

The two businesses, owned by Bob Sneed and Roger Deterding, are new additions to the growing commercial development along the Illinois 13 corridor between Marion and Carbondale.

And although the two businesses are new to Illinois 13, they actually have roots firmly planted in Southern Illinois soil.

Heartland Kubota was founded in 1999 as Marion Kubota and was located on Old Illinois 13 on the western outskirts of Marion, while Family Tree Garden Center and Gift Shop was a longtime Carbondale establishment located on Old U.S. 51 south.

The move to Illinois 13 was made primarily, Sneed said, to accommodate the purchase of the garden center.

“We moved because of the nursery. We wanted to merge the two businesses,” Sneed said. “We also wanted better exposure and we thought we’d get that on New 13.”

Heartland Kubota is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information, call 985-3400.

The other side of the building holds a gardener’s paradise and gifts for all occasions, said Stacy Bess, manager.

“We have a unique store with unique plants and gifts,” Bess said. “I think it sets us apart from other garden centers.”

The garden center staff grows their own perennials and has a wide selection of annual, herb and vegetable bedding plants and seeds, as well as trees and shrubs.

The garden center and gift shop is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call 985-3404.

A grand opening of Heartland Kubota and garden party at Family Tree Garden Center & Gift Shop, featuring giveaways and specials, will be this Friday and Saturday.

source : www.thesouthern.com