Loma Vista Nursery’s periodic “Getting to Know You” series offers a behind-the-curtain look at the professionals who grow our plants and support our success. In this blog, our shipping manager, Angel Duran, discusses the planning and precision required to move Midwest-grown plants from our fields to our clients’ retail and landscape destinations.
Angel Duran, Loma Vista Nursery’s shipping manager
What first drew you to a career in horticulture? How did you find your way to Loma Vista Nursery?
I was looking for an opportunity to grow professionally in a new area. My previous experience in shipping and management gave me a strong foundation. I wanted to apply those skills while learning more about plants and the planning involved in transporting them.
If you could plant only one species from our current catalog in your own landscape, which would it be and why?
Perennials. I like the vast variety, lasting impact and overall aesthetic they provide in landscape design.
Keeping in close contact everyday with our sales team and customers is a “day-in-the-life” of a nursery shipping manager.
What does a typical “day in the life” look like for you during peak growing season?
My typical day in shipping involves building loads based on delivery locations and coordinating them with our schedule and delivery dates. I ensure that tickets and labels are completed accurately and on time, and that our team is selecting the highest quality plants for each order.
I oversee the processing, racking and loading of plants to keep the shipping operation running smoothly. I communicate with brokers to secure trucks and confirm they arrive on time, ensuring our products are delivered promptly. In addition, I stay in close contact with our sales team and customers to make sure every order arrives when needed and in the best possible condition.
What is one thing about wholesale nursery production that would surprise landscape professionals and home gardeners?
The sheer volume of plants we move on a day-to-day basis, especially during spring.
Angel and his team ensures that plants leave our facility in the best possible condition.
How do you help ensure that Loma Vista Nursery’s plants are hardy for the Midwest climate?
From the shipping side, we focus on maintaining great quality by closely monitoring weather conditions and adjusting our process as needed. We make sure plants are properly watered before transit and protected according to temperature and forecasted conditions. Our goal is to always ensure that plants leave our facility in the best possible condition.
What has been your proudest moment or favorite project since joining the team?
Improving our label process. We transitioned to higher-quality labels that are easier to print and more efficient to use, which has significantly sped up our workflow. I’ve also liked implementing greater use of racks for transporting plants. This speeds up our loading time and helps us deliver plants in their best condition.
Organization is a top skill required for a job as shipping manager and Angel has it buttoned up!
What is the most common plant care advice you give to others?
Pay close attention to watering! Overwatering is just as harmful as underwatering. I always remind people to check the soil moisture before giving their plants a drink.
When you aren’t out in the fields or the greenhouse, how do you like to spend your time?
As shipping manager, I spend a lot of my time in the office building loads, setting up the weeks and communicating with customers, sales and brokers.
Angel’s pro tip: Give plants the appropriate amount of water to encourage healthy root development.
What is the most satisfying part of seeing a large order loaded for delivery?
For me, the best part is knowing that everything fits efficiently and is stacked and racked correctly in the truck. I take pride in maximizing space on the truck without compromising plant quality, making sure there’s no wasted room while keeping loads secure and organized. It’s rewarding to see a full truck leave knowing the order is optimized, protected and ready to arrive in great condition.
What is one “pro secret” about plant health practiced at the nursery that landscape professionals and home gardeners should know?
Focus on healthy roots and proper watering. Well-hydrated, well-developed roots and planting the correct depth make plants much stronger and more resilient.
The efficiency of Loma Vista Nursery’s shipping department is vital to ensuring our inventory maintains its integrity from our facility to our clients. We appreciate the dedication our team brings to every load, ensuring that our clients receive the highest quality plant material possible.
About Loma Vista Nursery ‒ Midwest Wholesale Plant Grower
Celebrating 35 years in business in 2026, Loma Vista Nursery grows a variety of healthy perennial plants, trees and shrubs for independent garden centers, landscape contractors and wholesale distributors. Review our plant catalog for detailed information and to pre-order.
Visit our website to learn more about our nursery, including our processes, plant varieties and business values. For assistance with orders or plant-related questions, please call (785) 229-7200 or send an email to sales@lomavistanursery.com. Our team of plant experts is happy to answer questions and provide information about the reliable varieties we grow.
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