Burpee Seeds, officially W. Atlee Burpee & Co., is a seed company that was founded by W. Atlee Burpee in 1878.
History
Originally selling garden seeds as well as farm supplies, tools, and even poultry and hogs, the direction of the company began to change with the death of its founder in 1915.
His son, David Burpee, took over the company upon his father's death. He was interested in War or victory gardens and was an early promoter of the concept during the Great War. He also brought his interest in flowers to the forefront of the companies priorities and initiated several flower breeding programs.
In 1970, David Burpee sold his company to General Foods.
In 1974, Burpee moved from its north Philadelphia location to its current headquarters at 300 Park Ave. in suburban Warminster, Pennsylvania, around the same time that SEPTA extended its (now R2) commuter rail line to Warminster, as the train station is almost directly across Park Ave. from Burpee's headquarters.
In 1979 the company passed to ITT. David Burpee remained as a consultant until his death in June 1980. In 1991 the Burpee company was acquired by George J. Ball, Inc., a diversified horticultural family business. Jonathan Burpee, the founder's grandson, was the last family member to work for the company. He was fired by Ball in 1993. The company still maintains the original Burpee farm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where notable varieties such as Iceberg lettuce and Big Boy tomato were bred.
The company currently distributes vegetable, flower and herb seeds as well as garden and plant accessories to home gardeners.
External links
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