2024 Orlando Home Design Award Winner For Best Garden Center Is Lukas Nursery
Voted No.1 Best Garden Center / Nursery
*Photos by Roberto Gonzalez
Located in Oviedo, Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter is more than just a garden center; it’s a testament to a family’s century-long journey in agriculture, blending passion for plants with a commitment to community and nature. As a fourth-generation, family-owned agri-business, Lukas Nursery prides itself on offering the largest selection of landscape, patio, and indoor plants in the area, alongside one of Florida’s largest native butterfly conservatories.
The nursery’s foundation lies in the hands of dedicated Florida Certified Horticultural Professionals, Master Gardeners, and landscape design specialists. These experts ensure that customers not only receive exceptional quality plants and products but also benefit from their vast knowledge and experience in creating custom outdoor paradises. By focusing on reconnecting families with nature, Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter has become a leader in its field, offering a unique experience that goes beyond traditional gardening.
The Butterfly Encounter is a central attraction, showcasing the beauty of nature through butterflies, bees, birds, and native pollinators. This haven for wildlife provides visitors with an immersive experience, allowing them to appreciate the interconnectedness of our ecosystem. The Encounter serves as a vivid reminder of the importance of conserving our natural habitats and the creatures that inhabit them.
The journey of Lukas Nursery began over a century ago with Czechoslovakian immigrants Paul Lukas and Mary Klimek. Settling in the rural flatlands near Oviedo, they started farming in what is now Seminole County, establishing a legacy that would span generations. Through hard work, sacrifice, and a dedication to serving their community, the Lukas family grew their small farming operation into a thriving nursery business.
Paul Jr., a visionary in the family, transformed the small truck farm into Lukas Nursery in 1973. From its humble beginnings with just 50 plants, the nursery has expanded significantly, now boasting a wide variety of plants and a state-of-the-art greenhouse. Recognized as one of the top independent garden centers in the United States, Lukas Nursery continues to grow and innovate.
The business has seen substantial growth and improvements over the years, including the establishment of the Butterfly Encounter in 2004 and continuous expansion of their plant and product offerings. The current generation of the Lukas family, Stanley II, Caleb, and Cecelia, along with other family members, have taken up the mantle, ensuring that Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter remains a vital and evolving part of the community.
Lukas Nursery is a place where visitors can not only find a diverse array of plants and gardening supplies but also connect with nature in a meaningful way, all while being part of a century-old legacy that continues to flourish in Central Florida.
