D. Landreth Seed Company
_(19uu)_(20972547722).jpg) Bloomsdale Farms, 1914 | |
| Founded | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (1784) |
|---|---|
| Founder | David Landreth |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Products | Seeds |
| Website | landrethseed |
The D. Landreth Seed Company is a historic American seed enterprise established in 1784 by David and Cuthbert Landreth in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
History
Born in 1752 in Northumberland, England, David Landreth emigrated to Montreal in 1780 intending to start a seed business but moved to Philadelphia in 1783 due to unsuitable climate conditions. In 1786, he joined forces with his brother Cuthbert, initially focusing on serving Philadelphia and its surrounding estates. Their customer base soon expanded to include notable figures such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson during the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The company extended its reach with branches opened in Charleston (1818) and St. Louis (1854), though the St. Louis location was closed amid the Civil War. Both David and his son played key roles in founding the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in 1827 and launched America’s first agricultural periodical, Floral Magazine, in 1832.
In 1845, the Landreth family contributed land for Philadelphia’s Landreth School. Two years later, operations shifted to Bloomsdale Farms in Bristol, Pennsylvania, where they expanded seed testing across 600 acres and began distributing seeds nationally and internationally, reaching destinations such as the West Indies, South Africa, India, China, and Japan. In 1852, the company supplied seeds for Commander Matthew C. Perry’s expedition to Japan; following Perry’s return in 1855, D. Landreth introduced significant Japanese seed varieties into the U.S., including red shiso and wineberries.
After the passing of David Landreth II in 1880, leadership passed to his sons Oliver, Burnet (1869–1941), and Leopold. The firm adopted the name D. Landreth Seed Company in 1904 under the stewardship of great-grandsons.
Ownership changed hands in 1942 when Buist Seed Co. of Philadelphia acquired the company. During World War II, much of Bloomsdale Farms was repurposed for defense manufacturing and residential development; subsequent suburbanization further diminished farm acreage. Later under Goldberg Co.’s ownership, operations were relocated to Baltimore until 2006.
In 2003, venture capitalist Barbara Melera purchased the enterprise to avert closure and took on the role of president. Growing interest in heirloom seed varieties helped expand the customer base from 350 to 4,000 by 2010, restoring profitability. Nonetheless, financial difficulties led to creditor litigation in 2012.
The company was auctioned in 2016 and bought by American Meadows, Inc., which has maintained its heritage as part of a wider seed industry portfolio.
Products
Renowned for pioneering plant breeding efforts that aligned with evolving culinary preferences, the company introduced several notable crops: it brought the zinnia flower to prominence in 1789; developed the first genuinely white potato by 1811; and introduced the tomato into the United States market by 1820—each representing important milestones within its product range.
Catalog
The company’s catalogs showcased experimental fields and stressed the importance of seed freshness by cultivating their own supply, disposing of unsold seeds, and dating each package to guarantee quality. Following the Civil War, the firm capitalized on patriotic sentiment in its marketing with phrases such as American seeds for the American climate and incorporated the Liberty Bell into its emblem. In 1881, it obtained federal trademarks to protect its brand identity. During the 1890s, the shift from woodcut illustrations to photographic images significantly improved the visual appeal of their products.
In celebration of its 225th anniversary in 2010, the company partnered with Michael W. Twitty to introduce the African American Heritage Collection. This series features around 30 heirloom seed varieties, including the distinctive long-handled dipper gourd and fish pepper, highlighting the company’s dedication to honoring cultural heritage while broadening its market reach.