BladeWorks Landscaping has proudly served Eastern Iowa since 1992, delivering dependable landscape care and installation with a neighborly touch. The company was founded by Peter Gasper, who continues to lead as CEO, alongside his son, Jeff, who serves as Operations Manager.

Originally launched in 1992 as a division of an existing recruitment and outsourcing firm (established in 1982), BladeWorks quickly found its footing in commercial and residential property care. Over the years, services have expanded to include landscaping, lawn care, tree work, snow removal, and even holiday lighting.

As the landscaping business grew, customers began asking for access to the same high-quality plants BladeWorks used in their projects. Recognizing an opportunity to meet this demand, Peter and Jeff began to imagine a retail experience that could serve the broader community.

In 2016, BladeWorks acquired a four-acre property on Blairs Ferry Road in Marion - an ideal location at the crossroads of Marion and Cedar Rapids. The site included a large industrial building that provided space for both operations and the dream of a future garden center. With Peck’s Green Thumb closing its doors in 2017 after six decades, the timing couldn’t have been better.

That same year, BladeWorks launched a modest retail area offering annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs, trees, and evergreens. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Soon after, construction began on a dedicated gift shop featuring pottery, garden décor, and plant care supplies. A greenhouse was added, along with a custom water-retention system designed to collect rainwater for eco-friendly irrigation.