Brothers Darren and Michael Schmahl hold diplomas from the Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture – a world-renowned institution established in 1936, that only graduates twelve students each year. They have since returned to their alma mater as instructors, teaching the next ‘crop’ of horticulturists. In 1990 Darren and Michael founded Outdoor Images, a landscape company specializing in garden design, installation and maintenance. They still operate the firm today, which continues to gain critical acclaim and prestigious awards. After years of experience in sourcing the finest plants and garden accessories for their landscape clients, as well as quality tools for their staff, they recognized a need for a fine garden store. In 1996, they settled in the historic village of Jordan, located in the heart of Niagara’s wine country and opened The Copper Leaf Garden Store. Nestled in the corner of a century old winery with an intimate garden courtyard, their store’s charming “potting shed” atmosphere quickly became a popular destination. Their success in Jordan led to the opening of a second garden store located in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This historical Old Town, voted “the prettiest town in Canada,” provides a picturesque backdrop for the new location, which made its debut in the spring of 2005. The Copper Leaf’s retail axiom Radices Ago in Horti is literally carved into the stone floor in their stores, which translates from Latin to mean Rooted in Gardens. The founders take pride in their fundamental philosophy of gardeners operating a garden store.