Chris Durham doesn’t just have a green thumb. Some may say he also has green blood.

The well-known Greenemann of the botanical world began his career at a very early age. Being born into a family with deep roots in agriculture, an understanding of, and interest in, the plant world came naturally. From growing his first vegetable garden at the age of five to a college dorm room full of orchids (and mold growing on his books from the humidity), Chris has never been far from plants, nor plants from him.

It wasn’t much different as an adult. Chris began with a degree in business and a brief stint in the corporate world, but soon returned to University to study horticulture. After completing his studies Chris worked for several corporations locating hard to find plant material globally and handled logistics for its transport to final destinations.

Travels to Central and South America, North and West Africa, and Southeast Asia intensified Chris’ interest in tropical ornamental plants. During this time joint ventures were formed with growers on several continents. These joint ventures still remain a good portion of the supply chain giving Chris the ability to offer the cream of the crop - in some cases huge crops- to his customers.

After many years of supplying friends, fellow collectors, commercial nurseries, and tissue culture firms with tropicals, Chris finally grew his passion into a thriving business. Nearly a decade ago Chris started Durham Botanicals and developed a nursery in Southeast Florida. Today, Durham Botanicals is a leading supplier of quality tropical ornamentals throughout North America.