New name, new location, new future for Hidden Falls Nursery
By Amy Rognlie | Photography by Becky Stinehour
Now known as Grizzly’s Hidden Falls Nursery and Landscaping, the much-loved nursery is moving to a new home in Nolanville. The nursery serves customers throughout the Temple, Belton and Killeen area, with others coming from as far as Lampasas, Troy and even Austin.
“The new location in Nolanville is easier to find and more centrally located,” says owner Ben Gillilan. “We will be located on the same property as Farr’s Landscape Supply, allowing customers to have everything they need in one place.” Everything—including a real waterfall.
“Our new five-acre property affords beautiful views of Nolan Creek. We will have a few trails along the creek and a pond, featuring a cool waterfall made from our old rusted 52 Chevy,” he says. “I love nature and getting out to hike, so I thought it would be fun for others to have that opportunity when they visit the nursery.”
Ben, an Army veteran, and his wife purchased Hidden Falls Nursery in 2016. Since then, the nursery has become well-known for its knowledgeable staff, organic gardening products and its emphasis on native plants.
“Native plants are amazingly tough,” Ben says. “Once they are established, you can almost ignore them and they will thrive. A lot of folks are shocked at how much color and texture we have in our native plants here in Texas.”
Besides the array of native plants, the new, larger location will provide ample space for a wide variety of annuals, shrubs and trees for every landscaping need. They also have a large selection of metal lawn ornaments, decorative pottery and colorful garden knick-knacks that can spice up your landscape.
“It’s not hard to have a beautiful landscape. With a little effort and by starting small, you can have great success,” Ben says. “Many people think they need to wait until springtime to plant, but here in Central Texas, trees and shrubs should be planted in the winter so they take off in the spring.”
Ben and his staff will offer classes on topics ranging from gardening basics to composting, rainwater collecting and even pollinator planting. Hidden Falls has partnered with the Killeen-based Backyard Gardening Initiative, an organization that trains young people to create and sustain backyard gardens in their own neighborhood, to offer a class on planning peppers and tomatoes.
Ben also volunteers with the Nolanville Boys & Girls Club at Monarch Community Park every Friday, working with the children on attracting birds and butterflies to the garden.
“When I was growing up, my grandpa and my dad always had a garden. I love working with these organizations that help get the younger generation excited about gardening,” he says.
Besides his involvement in the community, Ben says he simply enjoys helping customers find exactly what they’re looking for.
“I love this business,” he says. “The support given us by our customer base is why we can satisfy the commitment we have made to them and are certain we can continue for many years to come.”
GRIZZLY’S HIDDEN FALLS NURSERY
1101 W. U.S. Highway 190, Nolanville
254-699-4600
Perennial picks
Ben’s top perennial picks for spring color:
- Blackfoot Daisy
- Four Nerve Daisy
- Trailing Lantana
- Muhly grasses (Gulf Muhly or Big Muhly)
Get involved
The Youth Backyard Garden Initiative is looking for volunteers.
Founded in 2018, YBGI’s vision is to train youth (ages 8 to 18) to create and sustain backyard gardens in their own neighborhoods, partnering them with experienced gardeners and helping novice gardeners to create and maintain their own backyard gardens.
YBGI needs:
- Young people who want to learn to garden help others learn.
- Adult volunteers to work with the children.
- Community members who would like to have a garden in their yard
YBGI also offers free community engagement meeting on the second Saturday of the month at Monarch Academy, 4205 Old Florence Road in Killeen. Upcoming meeting topics include “Mulching Your Way to Weed Control” and “Organic Weed and Insect Control.”
