Watters Garden Center began in 1962 when Harold Watters expanded his landscaping business to include a nursery on Plaza Drive in Prescott. The garden center grew with his family, involving his wife and four daughters, and even included a pet store and flower shop. Harold’s passion for plants and community shaped the business and family life. In 1983, needing more space, the center moved to its current location on Iron Springs Road. Harold passed the torch in 2002 to his youngest daughter, Lisa, and her husband, Ken Lain, who continue his legacy of making Prescott green and beautiful.

Ken Lain, known as 'The Mountain Gardener,' has spent 30 years mastering high mountain gardening. A Prescott local and ASU graduate, he’s a Master Gardener and Certified Nursery Professional passionate about plants, design, and making gardening fun. Ken shares his expertise in PrescotteNews, the Prescott Daily Courier, and on the Mountain Gardener Radio Show and podcast with his wife, Lisa. Dedicated to family, community, and the outdoors, Ken balances running the family nursery with exploring the region’s mountains and lakes.

Lisa Watters Lain is the heart of the family-owned garden center she’s worked at since childhood. With a Master’s in Education, an Arizona Nursery Professional certificate, and decades of experience, she’s a plant expert who diagnoses issues in a flash. Lisa shares her advice in Prescott Woman Magazine, Prescott Living Magazine, and on the Mountain Gardener Radio Show and podcast with her husband Ken. A passionate community supporter, she contributes to local beautification projects and non-profits. Balancing roles as owner, wife, mother, and dog lover, Lisa’s superpowers include compassion, sarcasm, and Star Trek trivia.

McKenzie Lain, the 3rd generation of her family to lead Watters Garden Center, is passionate about growing its legacy. Starting as a young cashier, she followed her love for gardening and earned degrees in Psychology and Family Counseling. Now, she focuses on educating the Prescott community and creating jobs while curating rare tropical plants from around the world. When not supporting local organizations, McKenzie enjoys hiking, basketball, and spending time with her Mini-Schnauzers.

Ken, a former software company owner from New Hampshire, moved to Prescott for retirement but joined the Watters Marketing team instead. A tech wizard with a knack for cameras and electronics, he films ‘Saturday Morning Garden Classes‘ and manages social media, often sporting a nautical sweater and New England accent. Ken and his wife Patricia enjoy trading jokes and exploring northern Arizona wines.

Meet Micayla Matson, a recovering healthcare worker who traded a sterile environment for a morebeautiful place to work. Her caring nature is infectious, not just with customers but with our entire teamand the local gardening community. A true computer whiz, she speeds customers through even thebusiest days with a friendly smile and an incredible depth of knowledge, especially with houseplants.Micayla is an expert at helping plants not just survive, but thrive. While her faith has taken her onmissionary journeys around the world, she's a dedicated dog lover at heart.

Meet Eric Anderson, our facility expert and a true local with a deep-rooted passion for plants. Althougha professionally trained drone pilot, his lovefor connecting with fellow gardeners and sharing his plantknowledge is what truly drives him. Eric is our go-to guy for anything with a small engine, from dronesand chainsaws to motorcycles. In the garden, he has a natural talent for working with trees and shrubs,with a special interest in designing landscapes that incorporate the soothing sounds of running water,fountains, and unique home decor

Meet Kevin Michels, our landscape design guru, master gardener, and farmer at heart. A proudTexan,Kevin retired from a long career in broadcast sales that took him all over the world, but the allure of theSouthwest mountains always pulled him back. He is a master at creating a beautiful Prescott landscape,blending the privacy and seclusion oftrees with the vibrant colors and fragrances of native shrubs andwildflowers.

Before finding her true calling, talking to plants, Kristina was a recovering journalist and editor, a background she now uses as a key contributor to the Watters Newsletter, social media, and the celebrated 'Mountain Gardener' column. She knows her dirt (literally) and is always ready to help local gardeners bloom. When she's not busy whispering secrets to the petunias, you
can find her belting out notes with the Prescott Choral and Prescott Pops. If you need a laugh or a diagnosis for a brown leaf, she's your go-to. 

Cory Johnson is the cashier whose bright smile perfectly matches her extensive knowledge of our most colorful flowers! When you check out at Watters Garden Center, Cory is ready to greet you with cheer and send you off with great advice on the boldest blooms. She's the expert on which varieties will deliver maximum color impact in your garden. Come say hello to
Cory and let her help you pick out the brightest flowers for your yard!

Ariah Carberry is our resident number cruncher and data expert here at Watters Garden Center! Armed with a Bookkeeping
Certificate from Yavapai College, she keeps our registers running smoothly and makes sure all the important details are in order. When she's not working the front lines as a friendly cashier, Ariah channels her energy into art. She proves that even the most technical minds have a vibrant, creative side! She's essential to keeping our center blooming and beautiful, both in plants and in spirit.

Natasha Penny is Watters Garden Center's perennial expert focusing on the foundational elements of your landscape: trees and shrubs. She has a keen eye for design, specializing in helping you select the perfect large plants that will thrive in the high-mountain climate and structure your garden for year-round interest. Need advice on a stunning shade tree, a resilient evergreen screen, or the ideal shrub to anchor your flower beds? Natasha is here to ensure your yard's bones are strong, beautiful, and perfectly designed.

Kimberley Pomeroy reigns supreme in the Perennial Flower Department at Watters Garden Center! As our very own "Flower Queen," Kimberley possesses a royal expertise in all the blooms that return year after year. She specializes in guiding gardeners to the perfect, most majestic perennial flowers—the true royalty of the garden. Need advice on a stunning Daylily, a robust Lavender, or a flourishing Peony? Kimberley is here to ensure your garden is fit for a queen!

Julia Hope Snyder is the indispensable force keeping Watters Garden Center's books perfectly balanced. Having been blessed to call Prescott home since 1982, she deeply understands the beauty and unique character of our area, from the majestic Granite Mountain to the historic charm of Whiskey Row, realizing that we truly have it all! Julia ensures our operations run smoothly, allowing us to focus on what we love: helping you grow your green thumb.

Cheri Sweeney is one of the warm smiles and expert minds that keeps the spirit of Watters Garden Center thriving! She's a master of organization and good cheer. Whether she is tending to the details behind the scenes or guiding you to the perfect perennial, Cheri ensures that every customer leaves with a plant (and a plan!) for success. She’s the vital link that turns our passion for gardening into your favorite shopping experience.

Tammie Whatley is one of the colorful forces behind Watters Garden Center's vibrant Perennial Flower Department. Her expertise lies in knowing which flowers will return year after year, guaranteeing lasting beauty and color in your mountain landscape. She is dedicated to helping every gardener select hardy, resilient perennials that can handle the unique sun, soil, and wind of the Prescott area, ensuring you plant once and enjoy the blooms for many seasons to come!

Claire Yarrington is one of the bright spots on the Watters Garden Center team! As a cashier, she's the friendly face who sends you off with your new plants and gardening gear. Claire is known for her big personality and an even bigger smile, making every checkout experience a cheerful one. Stop by and let her infectious energy and enthusiasm brighten your day!

Steven Lippy is the creative genius who makes Watters Garden Center look absolutely amazing! As our ultimate retail merchandiser, Steven curates the shopping experience so that every plant display is a source of inspiration. Beyond his visual talents, he is a true Plant Guru, offering deep knowledge on plant care and selection. His specialty? Container Design. Steven can transform any pot into a breathtaking, living work of art, mixing colors, textures, and heights for a stunning focal point in your yard. Come see the beauty Steven creates and let him inspire your next garden project!

Meet Shawna Zerbest, our local flower expert and herb specialist. Her love of gardening is infectious,but it's her masterful use of herbs and vegetables in the kitchen that has earned her a renownedreputation. As a retired restaurateur, Shawna has a knack for bringing out the flavor in any garden. Shefreely shares her vast knowledge of all things blooming, along with her cherished recipes and talent forcreating stunning, fragrant garden spaces.