Flower Power

Well-known for its flowers and plants, Boxwoods’ other superpowers are home décor and gifts

by Dana W. Todd / photography by Holger Obenaus

Have you driven past Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts in Buckhead and never stopped by? In the words of the famous Monopoly Community Chest card: “Go to jail. Go directly to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.” You have unknowingly committed a crime, and you must rectify it as soon as possible.

The sprawling garden-and-gift retail store is the culmination of 30 years of hard work by Dan Belman and Randy Korando. Every building addition, every handpicked plant, every European antique and every flower arrangement is touched in some way by Belman and Korando, even though the family-style business has expanded to three buildings and 40 employees over time. “People are still surprised that we are so much more than a garden shop,” says Belman.

When they launched the business in 1995, they completely remodeled and moved into the initial building. After a few years, the business continued to grow enough for the duo to add a conservatory overflowing with live plants and take over the building next door, later adding a two-story addition to the shop. Then an opportunity to expand to the building across the street enlarged Boxwoods’ footprint even more with the Boxwoods Home standalone store.

So, what’s inside and outside the walls of the store? There are many different departments, each with a specialized staff who have deep knowledge of the intricacies of the products and the customer base. The Garden Center, which is one of the original departments, displays stunning perennials and annuals year-round to accessorize home interiors and outdoor landscapes. “We don’t provide ‘mow and blow’ services,” Belman says, laughing, “but we create specialty gardens for homeowners, restaurants and hotels.” From poolside curated containers to curb-appealing flower beds to indoor arrangements, Korando and his team of horticulturists create visually pleasing displays for customers and offer landscape consulting services. Specialty garden accessories, such as statuary and water features, and herbs for creating a kitchen garden are part of the mix. The Garden Center is well-known for its orchids, both live and permanent. “We have used the same local orchid supplier for the entire 30 years,” says Korando. Boxwoods’ talented team can design and deliver same-day cut flower arrangements and table centerpieces or hold them for pickup if more convenient for customers. They can be ordered on the website or by visiting the store in the stylish, central Buckhead area.

The Potting Shed is part of the Garden Center and where the staff crafts verdant custom compositions, using both live plants and faux material. “Permanent botanicals are very popular with homeowners who own second homes and who have interior rooms that receive little natural daylight, as well as with commercial businesses such as hotels. The faux material feels real, closely mimics live plantings and holds up for long-lasting beauty that needs no maintenance,” explains Belman. Shoppers may choose one of Boxwoods’ new or antique containers or bring in one of their own to have staff design an arrangement to take home. Whether live or permanent, botanical arrangements make every room in a home feel special for family and friends. Carefully curated floral designs bring warmth and charm into a home. Boxwoods’ staff makes it easy for anyone to add joy to their environment by relying on the store’s experts to deliver the colors and types of arrangements that best suit a particular home’s style. They can help homeowners determine if a tall, low-profile, compact, loose, shapely, colorful or monochromatic style is best for their event or location in the home.

When the partners first launched the business, they wanted to incorporate their shared love of antiques and vintage collectibles into the products they offer to their customers. Today, they stock Boxwoods with the finds they bring home from shopping in the United States and Europe, especially France, which includes antique furniture, lighting, tableware and linens, and other home décor items. “We enjoy having unique items that shoppers can’t find elsewhere,” says Belman. “Antiques can be affordable, and I always think a vintage piece in every room adds character to a home.”

They have an even larger inventory of new furniture, chandeliers, tableware and design products to accessorize homes. Customers find everything they need to create a showstopping tabletop for a special entertainment event, including many varieties of china, flatware, linens and glasses. Mixed with pillows to refresh seating and a Boxwoods floral arrangement as a centerpiece, the store is a one-stop resource for dazzling décor for a party. Whether the need is a bold centerpiece for the dining table or delicate floral accents throughout the home, Boxwoods’ staff has the experience to advise and create live and permanent arrangements.

There also is an entire section of the store dedicated as a gift shop, which includes a well-curated collection of thoughtful gifts to give to those nearest and dearest and to serve as hostess gifts. Think candles, candlesticks, bath products, floral arrangements and more.

Along the way, one of the store’s buyers convinced the owners to allow her to set up a ladies’ clothing boutique in part of the square footage. Due to the current buyer’s keen eye, which is focused on the latest vendors and styles, the boutique has become a popular part of the store, bursting with fashionable clothing, jewelry and accessories, such as handbags and scarves, that keep women coming back.

“Whatever we sell, we try to offer a variety of price points and a wide range of merchandise,” Belman says. He and Korando bring their individual strengths to the business. This diversity has helped the company thrive over the last three decades. Prior to launching Boxwoods, Belman’s career as a business consultant led him to help troubled companies become profitable again; Korando worked in interior design and landscaping. Together, they make a well-rounded team. “I always say that Randy is all about form, and I am all about function,” Belman jokes.

He emphasizes how proud he is of Boxwoods’ employees, many of whom have been with the company since its inception. “It’s a friendly and welcoming store, both for employees and for our customers,” he adds. “I count many of our customers as my friends now.” *

Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and fine art.

More Information

Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts

100 East Andrews Dr.

Atlanta, GA 30305

404.233.3400