The Roots of Larson’s
Let me tell you a story that begins over a century ago, across an ocean, with a woman named Lydia Larson. My great-grandmother arrived in America carrying little more than a dream—a vision of a quiet farm and a sturdy root cellar, a foundation upon which she could build a better life for her family.
She couldn’t have known that, one hundred years later, her humble dream would blossom into something magnificent: an award-winning garden center and landscaping company. Today, it stands as a sanctuary where generations of families come to seek out beauty and gather inspiration.
To carry her legacy forward is an incredible honor, yet it is also a relentless test of endurance, patience, and raw, unfiltered determination. There are days when the weight of that history presses heavy on my shoulders. Every choice feels intensely personal; every challenge feels like a defining moment. There is an unspoken, heavy obligation to uphold decades of sweat and sacrifice—a pressure that could easily break a person.
But I refused to let it break me.
The Heart of Larson’s
In the moments of self-doubt, I found my fuel in the people around me. Larson’s is more than a plant market—it’s not about plants; a place where people find peace and joy. It’s about providing a haven for our community to find beauty. My “why” is simple: I want to lead with heart for my daughters and share the plant knowledge I’ve gathered over a lifetime. Success to me is a happy customer and a shared smile—because you can never have too many of those. For me, success isn’t a ledger; it’s the familiar faces of returning customers, the dedication of my team, and the eyes of my daughters watching their mom chase a dream. I truly believe flowers were put on this earth to make us smile, and I’m honored to get my hands dirty making that happen. Larson’s is a community hub where dreams take root. Navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship with her daughter’s watching, she measures success not in numbers, but in the trust of her customers and the joy her team brings to the dirt every day.
Her hard work has brought her to KaitlynLarson.com where she promotes her Speaking Engagements, motivational videos, classes, and her Podcast Unspoken Obligations. Her dream is to grow this with affiliated businesses and give back to kids charities.
BIO
Kaitlyn Larson Parker—4th-generation owner and landscape designer at Larson’s Garden Center & Landscaping, a 107-year-old family business in Burlington, Connecticut.
Kaitlyn grew up in the garden center world and now leads a dynamic, multi-department operation spanning retail, landscape design and installation, and seasonal retail. Her work is grounded in the realities of garden center life, while always focused on what’s possible when strong roots meet thoughtful innovation.
As a member of the HRI Leadership Academy in association with American Hort, Kaitlyn’s research focus is on the Experience Economy—how connection, clarity, and intentional design create stronger teams, more loyal customers, relevant sustainable businesses. She brings this perspective to both landscape design, garden center operations and business growth, using practical tools like ChatGPT to help leaders plan more clearly, communicate more effectively, and create space for creativity and growth.
Through her leadership, being the founder of the Garden Center Leadership Council and her podcast, Unspoken Obligations, Kaitlyn encourages business owners to honor their legacy while confidently building toward the future with open and honest discussions—proving that horticulture can continue to thrive, adapt, and inspire for generations to come.
KaitlynLarson.com 