Garden center teams up with Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity

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Lexington garden and plant center Wingard's Market has partnered with Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity to add a touch of home to as many as six new Midlands houses.

Wingard's Market is donating plants, flowers and landscaping to new homes built by the nonprofit organization this year, including two expected to be completed this month. 

"We have always been impressed with the hard work and great craftsmanship that Habitat provides for these new homeowners," co-owner Wally Steinhauser said in a news release. "Not every plant is going to make it in every type of soil, so it's important we get the right plant that also looks great. We care about this community and want these homeowners to experience happiness when they walk in the door."

In its 36 years serving the Midlands, Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 270 families become homeowners. Staff, volunteers and community partners build six houses each year. 

"We are so excited for the new partnership with Wingard's Market," Emily Fernald, the organization's homeowner services manager, said. "The individuals and families that complete the Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity program, put in over 300 hours of sweat equity, homebuyer workshops and financial planning. For them to not only be able to see their dream of homeownership come true but see it as the beautiful picture they've always imagined through the landscaping provided by Wingard's just makes it that much more special."

Wingard's Market was named one of Today Garden Center magazine's Revolutionary 100 Garden Centers in 2015 and one of Garden Center magazine's top 100 Garden Center in 2017.