In an increasingly digitized world, where children spend hours of screen time each day, Jessica Clement, owner of Grandiflora Garden Center in Abita Springs, provides an elegant antidote—green time.
Surrounded by a tapestry of pine and live oaks, Grandiflora is more than a nursery—it’s a distinctively luxurious yet thoughtfully understated full‑service garden center offering everything you need for outdoor living. The grounds feel simultaneously expansive and intimate, a place where parents can let their children explore nature’s wonders.
Jessica, whose effortless conversation recalls the ease of a down-to-earth Parisian florist, personally greets visitors, guiding them through curated collections of heirloom roses, concrete sculptural fountains, and rare native plants. Every customer—whether a seasoned gardener or a curious newcomer—receives the same warm welcome.
“Helping people grow something beautiful of their own is the heart of what we do,” she says. “I want everyone to leave with both knowledge and inspiration.”
The Luxury of Outdoor Living
Stepping into this botanical haven, you feel as though you’ve arrived with VIP access to a private estate. Each corner invites exploration: a single exquisite bloom presented like haute couture, clusters of dianthus, passion vines cascading like fine silk. Here, each plant is not merely sold—it’s artfully displayed, a testament to Jessica’s vision to redefine what it means to cultivate outdoor beauty.
“Being outside is its own kind of luxury,” she says. “When you come home after a long day and drive up your driveway and see your garden, it gives you a sense of accomplishment. It’s like saying, ‘Look what I accomplished!’ To me, watching something grow is one of life’s greatest rewards.”
Jessica’s path to becoming the Northshore’s premier horticultural authority first took root in Mandeville. She studied at LSU, envisioning a career in marketing or finance, yet her unwavering love of gardening—deeply tied to her upbringing—ultimately led her to create Grandiflora. “I never in a million years thought this is what I’d be doing,” she says, “but I’m glad it worked out this way.” What began as a distant dream morphed into a fully realized passion, nurtured by family support and Jessica’s own determination to craft something meaningful.
“What makes Grandiflora different from other garden centers?” I ask.
“We irrigate with well water, not city water,” Jessica explains. “We nurture all our plants organically, and we irrigate with fluoride‑free water untouched by municipal chemicals. You don’t need harsh chemicals. We use only natural, organic fertilizers and fungicides. When you nurture a plant, you nurture yourself.”
Bespoke Outdoor Living
Grandiflora specializes in native Louisiana species uniquely suited to the Northshore’s lush biodiversity. “This is candy for the hummingbirds,” Jessica says, pointing to a passion vine entwined beside a showstopping swamp azalea with orchid‑like blossoms. “And these azaleas always sell out before they even bloom. People can’t wait to see them in their own gardens.”
Beyond plants, Grandiflora is distinguished by its bespoke offerings. “We design, install, and maintain everything for your outdoor space so you can simply enjoy it,” Jessica says. With the help of her husband, Jason—a professional landscape architect—Jessica excels at creating and installing customized fountains and concrete elements, sourcing from prestigious manufacturers such as Compania, Massarelli, Flore Stone, Henri Studio, Elegant Earth, and Unique Stone. Each piece, from a subtle water feature to an elaborate centerpiece, transforms ordinary backyards into luxurious retreats. “People aren’t limited to what’s on hand,” she says. “We can create anything you envision, including sugar kettles.”
Poetry in Bloom
Jessica’s aesthetic is unmistakably high‑design: minimalist concrete planters set against lush tropical foliage, each vignette curated like a glossy magazine spread. A single rose bloom stands poised as though on a runway—poetry in petals and sunshine. At Grandiflora Garden Center, you’ll find everything needed to stage your own secret garden promenade, including familiar statues like the LSU tiger I couldn’t keep myself from sitting on.
Jessica’s approach to gardening is deeply personal and holistic. She views each outdoor space as a reflection of the homeowner’s personal story. “God once created a garden,” she says. “And our goal at Grandiflora is to help people experience Eden’s elegance in the comfort of their own backyards.”
One particular flower catches my eye: the legendary Peggy Martin rose. “This is a special one,” Jessica notes. “She’s nicknamed the ‘Katrina Rose’ because she survived weeks submerged underwater during Hurricane Katrina.” I examine the vibrant, strawberry‑colored petals that can climb up to fifteen feet. “Resilience makes you stronger and more beautiful,” she says. “This rose, you know, it doesn’t even have thorns.”
Cultivating Legacies
Jessica balances her roles as entrepreneur, wife, caregiver for an aging father, and mother of three, candidly sharing with me the challenges of raising a child with autism—a journey that has fortified her with empathy and conviction. “I want my kids to know they can do anything if they put their heart into it,” she says. “I want to cultivate more than gardens—I want to cultivate legacies.”
That thought lingers as I stroll back through the garden center’s entrance, renewed by an unexpected appreciation for the trees and plants so prevalent throughout the Northshore. More green time than screen time, I add as a reminder on my phone.
At Grandiflora Garden Center, Jessica offers more than a luxurious shopping experience or top-notch horticultural expertise, though you’ll get an abundant dose of both—she plants seeds of hope into every interaction.
Contact Jessica Clement at Grandiflora Garden Center via email at grandifloragardencenter@gmail.com or by phone at (985) 373‑9139.
Our goal at Grandiflora Garden Center is to help people experience Eden’s elegance in the comfort of their own backyards.