A New Leaf

When Birdsall & Co.’s founder and longtime owner, John Ludwig, decided to retire last year, he imagined bidding longtime clients a bittersweet farewell and closing his South Broadway garden accessories store. But Scott and Annie Huston had a different vision.

The Hustons, who own the Englewood-based landscape design firm Columbine Design, relied on the store’s carefully cultivated selection of outdoor fountains, furnishings, and decor. They were determined to keep its doors open, so they bought the business last fall and revamped its look. With their first summer season in full swing, we checked in with Annie and Scott to get the scoop on what garden lovers will find at the new Birdsall.

5280: Tell us what’s new—and what’s not—this year.

Annie: We’re still offering the products customers have come to love—huge cast-stone containers, Barlow Tyrie teak furniture, heirloom-quality garden tools—but we’re also searching the region for unique artisan-made items. Think perfectly tuned wind chimes handcrafted by a flute-maker and locally made metal sculptures.

Scott: And we want to give local and regional artists the opportunity to be in our store, like sculptor Arabella Tattershall, who creates beautiful pieces inspired by the female form.

5280: How do you decide which products make the cut?

Annie: When we consider a new piece, we always ask ourselves, “Does it bring nature into peoples’ lives?”

5280: Birdsall is known for great garden decor. Will we find more plants in the store this year?

Annie: I’d like to introduce some difficult-to-find plant varieties and annuals in interesting new varieties and colors. But if I’m just in the mood for geraniums, we’ll have them, too.

5280: What’s your hope for the new Birdsall?

Scott: We want the store to be experiential—or as Annie said to me, “the Tattered Cover of garden stores.” We want it to be a place to sit down, enjoy the fountains, read some picture books, and just relax.

Birdsall & Co., 1540 S. Broadway, 303-722-2535, birdsallgarden.com