About Us
Hillside Gardens is owned and operated by Carol and Bruce Onion. For 31 years, they have provided a full service garden centre on Highway 7 just east of Perth. The business has grown over the years and is the go-to place in the region for their wide selection of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees and garden supplies. They grow their own bedding plants as well as all of their spectacular hanging baskets and planters. Carol’s sister Jackie also works in the garden centre, along with many top-notch staff.
our Founders
Hillside Gardens was established by Ben and Corrie Zegger, Carol’s parents, in 1970 and this year is the 50th Anniversary of the business!
Ben and Corrie were born in the Netherlands and immigrated to Canada in 1957. An avid gardener, Ben started with a small greenhouse on the Second Line of Drummond for his own garden plants. When he grew too many bedding plants for himself, he put some out on a picnic table by the roadside to sell to neighbours and passers-by. Things grew from there and it became a true family business, with Ben, Corrie and all five children helping out.
In 1979 Hillside Gardens moved to its current location on Highway 7. Carol and Bruce took over the business on January 1, 1988 and have nurtured and grown the business ever since.