Turner's Gardenland - About Us

Professional Experience:

Turner’s Gardenland opened in Corpus Christi in 1972 and has been continuously owned by the Turner family. It was founded by Ted L. Turner Sr, Elaine K. Turner, and Ted L. Turner Jr. The Turners had previously been in the nursery business in Edna and Premont, Texas.

Ted Jr. was employed by NASA for mission control support during the Gemini and Apollo missions. After Apollo Thirteen he approached his parents with the prospect of starting a retail nursery and landscaping business together. Commercial and residential landscaping and related merchandise sales were the primary activities of the company.

Ted Sr. was a registered landscape architect. Elaine and Ted Jr. were both active in the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA). Elaine served as the first woman chairman of the organization. Ted Jr. was a past president of our region and served on numerous state committees for TNLA. The Turners were early starters in the industry that is now today a wide and profitable business. They were active statewide and nationally in the development of hybridized oleanders. Oleanders have long been grown in Texas, and Ted Sr.’s original work developed many new varieties that have made a noticeable difference in the appearance of the local area. His hybrids had to be prolific bloomers for most of the year, fragrant, and various sizes and colors. He developed over 20 varieties that met his specifications and 7 were patented. He enjoyed naming his varieties after family members and friends.

Other members of the Turner family who have contributed to the success of this company over the years are Shari Turner Parker – who established the Turner’s Floral Shop, Jim Parker, Anthony Turner, Tracy Turner Daffron, Teri Turner Stapleton, and Ted (Trey) Turner III. Ted Jr’s wife Sherrie Allen Turner and their daughter Megan Turner continue the legacy to this day.