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 Chris Arthur, our resident tree, shrub, and rose expert. A second-generation staffer, Chris has beensteeped in horticulture his entire life, bringing a wealth of hands-on knowledge to the garden center. Heis our go-to guy for everything from native plants to vibrant perennials, and he excels at helpingcustomers find the perfect plant for their landscape. When he's not at the garden center, you can findChris taking long walks with his dog. His favorite flower is the lilac, prizedfor its intense fragranceand robust beauty—qualities he values in a good garden plant.

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.

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 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.