About Horticultural Consultants, Inc.
Where Botanical Expertise Meets Landscape Innovation
Since 1991, Horticultural Consultants, Inc. (HCI) has served as the premier destination for rare, specimen-quality tropicals and the technical expertise required to make them thrive. Based in the heart of the Gulf Coast, we provide the nation’s most demanding clientele with the living centerpieces that define world-class landscapes.
Leadership & Authority
HCI is owned and operated by Grant Stephenson, a Texas Certified Nurseryman with over three decades of dedicated experience in the green industry.
Recognized nationwide as a leading authority on cold-hardy palms, bamboos, and cycads, Grant’s expertise is sought after by botanical gardens, zoos, and private collectors alike. His deep understanding of the unique climate challenges of the upper Gulf Coast—and beyond—ensures that every specimen we provide is chosen for its beauty, health, and long-term viability.
The HCI Wholesale Nursery: A Collection of Rarities
Providing Specimen-Quality Material Since 1991
We specialize in the “hard to find.” Our wholesale nursery is more than a supplier; it is a curated collection of collector-quality plant material. We serve a distinguished list of clients, including:
- Public Institutions: Botanical gardens, zoos, and amusement parks.
- Professionals: Landscape architects, developers, and top-tier contractors.
- Private Estates: Collectors and property managers looking for the extraordinary.
Whether you are seeking a singular focal point for a private estate or a complete botanical installation for a commercial development, HCI provides the quality that professionals trust when only the best will do.
Oversized turf tires, a true 360° turning radius, and a rotating pedestal base allow operators to smoothly redirect the tree while moving forward or backward. Two heavy-duty custom ratchet straps secure the tree firmly to the pedestal, ensuring stability and control throughout the move. Compared to a standard tree dolly, this cart requires noticeably less effort to operate—saving time, reducing crew fatigue, and lowering labor costs on every installation. In short, it pays for itself.
Beyond palms, the cart’s design is highly adaptable. It can be modified and customized for a wide range of applications across multiple industries, from landscaping and construction to specialty transport and beyond. Where creativity leads, this cart can follow—because when it comes to applications, imagination truly has no limits.
A Legacy of Trust: Where the Experts Turn
Our reputation is best reflected in the iconic landscapes we have helped shape. From world-class botanical gardens to international resorts, the industry’s most prestigious institutions rely on HCI for both our elite plant material and our technical strategy.
Don’t just take our word for it—our work speaks for itself at locations such as:
- Botanical Institutions: Moody Gardens, Mercer Arboretum, San Antonio Botanical Gardens, and the Dallas Arboretum.
- Zoos & Public Spaces: The San Antonio Zoo & Riverwalk, Phoenix Zoo, and the Dallas Zoo.
- World-Class Resorts: Walt Disney World and the Mirage Hotel and Casino.
We encourage you to consult with the nation’s leading developers, landscape architects, and contractors. They will tell you that when dealing with high-value specimens, there is no substitute for the combination of uncompromising quality and expert guidance.
Global Consulting & Innovation
Our work extends far beyond the nursery. Grant Stephenson provides expert consulting services across the country and around the world, advising on specimen selection, care protocols, and site-specific horticultural challenges.
To support the industry, we have also pioneered proprietary tools designed to protect your botanical investments:
Oasis Palm Tree Anchoring Systems
Our patented systems provide invisible, high-strength support without the need for unsightly wooden bracing.
The Oasis Palm Cart
Engineered in-house to move specimens up to 4,500 lbs through narrow 32″ openings.
Professional Care Products
We stock the finest fertilizers and amendments—including Protekt, KLN, Anti-Stress 2000, and Mycor Palm Saver—to ensure your plants don’t just survive, but thrive.