At the Bruno Nursery on Hilton Head Island, it’s almost more about people than it is about plants or pottery, but they have a passion for all of the above and that’s how it’s been since the beginning.
First sprouted as Bruno Landscape & Irrigation in 1989 by Gary and Mary Ann Bruno, the business has grown tremendously, pun intended, adding four acres in 2000 to become Bruno Landscape and Nursery. If you haven’t met the nursery side of the business, you’ll want to introduce yourself—not only to one of the most browsable, beautiful, full-service nurseries on the island, but also introduce yourself personally.
“We love being a place where people can get to know one another,” daughter Jenna (Bruno) Hull said, “and we pride ourselves on being kid- and pet-friendly. We have regulars who sometimes come in just to introduce us to a new pet, and we love building those relationships. It’s more than a nursery; it’s a community.”
According to Hull, no matter when you come in, you will meet a member of the family, whether that’s herself, “Aunt Beth,” Steven, Jordan, Nikki, Rafael, or one of the five family labs who report to the office daily: Rocky, Rambo, Bella, Zoey, and Nala. Of your Bruno options, Jordan is your go-to for container gardening lessons that walk you stem to stern through all you need to know, whether you’re growing vegetables and herbs for farm-to-table value from home or looking to add spring color to your entryway or building front.
Plus, you have the one-stop-shopping of picking up all you need. “We have lines of pots and pottery that are wonderful specifically for the Lowcountry because they can stand the wind, not get beat up in storms and rain, or are lightweight that you can carry in and out,” Hull added.
Hull also describes products they source like the Espoma line of organic fertilizers, pesticides, and potting soils carried by the nursery. “We love finding these things that help in more than just a gardening sense, but in the life-living sense,” she said. “We love pets, we love nature and don’t want to see it harmed. We love providing solutions that cover all of that.”
What to know
No idea where to start? The Brunos have you covered there, too, with this advice for your visit. You’ll want to consider:
Sun exposure. Where are you planting and how much does it get?
Deer. Do you have a deer issue? If you’re reading this in any local zip code, your answer to this question is yes.
Maintenance. What equipment do you have or need, and how much upkeep are you willing to invest?
You can even get Bruno-approved recommendations from their website, which lists seasonal favorites, or find photos and tips on their Facebook page at brunolandscapeandnursery. For a few conversation starters on what thrives in a Lowcountry spring, ask about their Sunshine Ligustrum, or Encore Azaleas, which Hull explained are a repeat bloomer. “You can get three seasons out of them and have a ton of different color choices,” she said. She also recommends the Brazilian Orchid, a shade plant that’s mostly greenery, “but every now and then you get a beautiful bloom.”
You’re encouraged to bring your questions, your issues, your kiddos and fidos. It’s a family-grown business where you can nurture neighborhood relationships as well as whatever you take home. The Brunos extend this personal invitation: “Grab a coffee and walk the aisles. We’d love to say hello.”
Bruno Landscape and Nursery is located at 109 Dillon Road, Hilton Head Island. For more information, visit brunolandscapeandnursery.com or call (843) 681-7022.
