When Brian and Erica Kniffin began planting hostas on their property in Fairview Heights, Illinois, they had no idea that the humble plant would turn into a passion and business. Brian’s love for hostas was inspired by his grandmother Helen Hunter, affectionately known as “Grandma Honey,” and the Kniffins initially started selling a few of them to support their gardening hobby.
“When we first started wanting to do landscaping [here], Brian suggested hostas. I said, ‘Really? Hostas? Don’t we want something with more color?’ I was dragging my feet,” says Erica. “The more we started planting hostas and researching them…I was shocked at how many types there are.”
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In late 2016, they officially opened Hostas on the Bluff, where they now sell approximately 8,000 hostas a year to buyers across the country. Hostas on the Bluff is one of the largest hosta farms in the bi-state area, with the Kniffins growing more than 500 varieties on six acres overlooking the Mississippi River. Approximately 200 of those varieties are for sale at any given time.
“We try to pick the best plant that represents a certain color or size, and we garden test them here,” Brian says. “If something doesn’t perform well, we kind of downgrade it from our top 200 list.”
The plants come in five sizes, ranging from mini to giant, and in colors such as yellow, green, and blue. The Kniffins regularly bring in new varieties that are being developed by some of the biggest hybridizers in the country.
This is one reason the Kniffins think word has spread so quickly. Unlike plants that are shipped in from other climates, plants from Hostas on the Bluff are set up to thrive in local gardens and yards.
“St. Louis has a unique and somewhat rough climate,” says Brian. “We put our plants through the winter, we put them through the harsh summer. They are mature and ready to go into a garden when people buy [them].”
Two full-time employees—one of whom is Erica—and about 10 seasonal employees help run the business. Erica interacts with customers, manages employees, and handles most of the behind-the-scenes work. With a background in education, she’s eager to expand the company’s events to include school field trips and other educational opportunities for children.
Although Brian also works outside the family business, his expertise in IT has been vital to setting up tech solutions that support a small team. “Without some of the automation and processes that we’ve come up with, I don’t know that we could keep up with all the stuff we do here,” he says.
Between April and September, Hostas on the Bluff holds a handful of events including opportunities for the public to shop for plants, tour the farm, and bring lunch to eat out on the deck that overlooks the river. The business welcomes groups and individuals by appointment, which can be made by phone or through the website.
“Sometimes people are scared off by the whole appointment idea,” says Erica, “but it’s just to make sure there is someone here to help. They are welcome to walk around and take their time.”
