From The Farm To The Garden

Adam’s Garden of Eden has been in the area for well over 25 years. What began as a “dig your own mums” mom and pop business started by Edward Adam Sr., evolved into a floral design family endeavor now managed by Ed Adam Jr.

Adam Jr. grew up on the farm, which he describes as peaceful. He remembers early mornings on sleepy Anguilla Road caring for animals and taking cross-country road trips with family to the Badlands and Wyoming.

Recalling the days of youth Adam said, ”You could walk this whole street and would not see a single car and we would sneak into the golf course and go fishing for bass.”

Adam Graduated in 1979 from Stonington High School, partook in cross-country adventuring, worked several jobs, got married and had three children before returning to —this time with his wife Sue as a floral designer.

Through its metamorphosis, Adam’s Garden of Eden saw days of dried flowers, fresh herbs and eventually floral arranging and events. Adam’s Garden of Eden even hosted quite a few weddings over the years.

“We were always amazed what happened during weddings here,” Adam said. “We came up on a couple consummating their wedding in the bushes. I will always remember that and I’m sure they will too.” 

One of Adam’s strangest moments in the business was when they were hired to rent large Palm trees for Ozzy Osbourne who had come to town. Adam received an e-mail request from Osbourne’s people saying that Osbourne wanted big palm trees to smoke under and to make sure they were inexpensive in the event that Osbourne was feeling too lazy to find a restroom.

In addition to working at Adam’s Garden of Eden, Adam also travels internationally 4 to 5 weeks out of the year working for Grucci fireworks. While he enjoys traveling he sees equal beauty in his hometown.

“I love going to the vineyards with friends,” Adam said. “With the casinos you can go to some of the best restaurants in the U.S. or you can see a show, but then when you need to chill you can go to Misquamicut or Watch Hill."

Just before Christmas on December 17, 2010, a greenhouse, containing all of the rental trees for Mohegan Sun’s New Years bash, burned to the ground. Ignited by a faulty extension cord, the fire was then followed by a series of collapsed greenhouses due to the heavy snow.

With a year of misfortune, Adam and his family have taken the last four months to repair the damages, get a fresh perspective and regroup. Part of that fresh perspective is getting in on the farm to table movement. This year Adam’s will be growing fresh produce for local restaurants, which they hope will take them in a new and successful direction. 

“It’s been a year of rejuvenation, we just have to let it go and start something new and that’s what we are doing,” Adam said.