Burpee Seeds: America's Historic Garden Company Since 1876

W. Atlee Burpee & Co., founded in 1876 by the Philadelphia seed pioneer W. Atlee Burpee, remains North America's largest garden company. Descended from French-Canadian Huguenots (originally "Beaupe"), Burpee defied family expectations of medicine to pursue plant breeding—inspired by the nascent science of genetics and the works of Mendel and Darwin.

Building a Seed Empire

Burpee toured Europe annually, sourcing superior vegetable strains from Dutch, German, and Scandinavian breeders and the finest flowers from England. His meticulous field notes became the Burpee catalog. Rigorous cleaning and testing meant many seeds were discarded—establishing a satisfaction guarantee that became the company hallmark: full-year replacement from purchase date.

Modern Legacy

Now privately owned by George Ball (past president, American Horticultural Society), Burpee operates from historic Fordhook Farm in Doylestown, PA. The company sells seeds, plants, and supplies via website, catalogs, and retail centers nationwide. Offering both hybrid and heirloom varieties, Burpee has introduced countless edible and ornamental plants over 134+ years, with display gardens and research farms in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.