Weston Nurseries

Latvian farmer Peter Mezitt immigrates to America in 1911, where he works as an estate gardener and greenhouse night watchman to fund a college degree from UMass Amherst. He brings his classmate Anna Olga Purens to America and they marry in 1912. They spent the next decade using their horticultural knowledge rooting under stock and grafting fruit trees to sell to local orchards.

Peter and Olga Mezitt purchase 80 acres off of Winter Street in Weston, and on July 24 they officially established Weston Nurseries.

By 1930 they had 10 acres of nursery land, which quickly blossomed into 200 acres of full-scale production in the early 1940s.

One of the most pivotal events in the early history of Weston Nurseries was the introduction of the PJM Rhododendron in 1945. Peter’s son, Ed, developed the hardy hybrid and named it in honor of his father. The PJM is known worldwide as one of the most beautiful and resilient rhododendrons.

Clearing Land on the Hopkinton Farms for field Crops

Preparing a Flower Show Display at MHS’ Horticultural Hall

Anna O. and Peter J. Mezitt at home.

Anna O., Wally B., Edmund V. & Peter J. Mezitt attend a MHS dinner.

Bob Winterhalter, Dom Nicolo, Joe Kransevich, Franny Bardellini, cat salesman, Stan Flannery, Albie Bardellini

Weston Nurseries begins growing nursery crops in above-ground containers as well as open fields