An existing wholesale nursery on Lincoln Boulevard was given new life this year after two entrepreneurs combined their professional and lived experiences to grow something beautiful: Monarch Nursery.
A welcoming destination for green enthusiasts, the 4,000-square foot nursery serves as a neighborhood garden center, wholesale nursery and a connected space for community events.
The heart of the nursery are founders Anton Van Der Woude and Jasper Watts. They pursued the effort in a desire to heal from significant career and life transitions.
Anton was at a turning point after spending 15 years in the hospitality industry. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the industry hard, forcing him to close his downtown Los Angeles distillery and reevaluate his career. He transitioned into a broader world of controlled-environment agriculture research and vertical farming for a while, but the yearning to do something more weighed heavily.
“I changed the way I wanted to spend my days from late hospitality nights to my preference of being in the garden,” Anton said. “It was a combination of the industry slightly forcing me in one direction and my own development.”
To balance the new business venture, Anton needed a partner with deep horticulture experience.
Jasper, who also shares a lifelong love for gardening, was the first person he called.
MAKING THE CALL
Jasper and his family lost their home and home-based horticulture business in the Eaton fire of January 2025. On a frantic search for stability, Jasper planted new roots on the Westside, hopeful to embrace the overnight change.
“I was trying to figure out my next step after losing everything,” Jasper said. “I had a lot of knowledge of cultivation and propagation and soil science from my horticulture business, on top of the landscaping I was doing. When Anton called me, it just seemed like the perfect fit.”
Today, the pair spend mornings watering, fertilizing, organizing, helping customers, making wholesale deliveries and working on landscape projects throughout the community.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Since opening in March, the nursery has become a beacon of hope for many who lost their gardens and backyards and transitioned into a smaller home — including Jasper.
“Many of our customers have gone from having a bigger garden to homes in Venice or the Westside with smaller balconies. Pots are the perfect alternative because one day, you might be able to replant your own garden again.”
In addition to its full service, retail and wholesale nursery offerings, Monarch is a small and agile enough business to carve out landscaping ideas and bring them to life.
GENERATIONAL AFFECTION
Monarch holds the belief that nature gives more than it takes.
Plants are part of a larger ecosystem, benefiting both nature and the people who enjoy it. Plants support pollinators and local wildlife while also improving mood, reducing stress and helping people find renewal after difficult seasons of life.
Both Jasper and Anton have seen an increase of younger generations interested in nurturing plants, including Jasper’s 12-year-old son, often seen watering plants or potting at the nursery.
“In today’s uncertain world, people find comfort and joy in surrounding themselves with greenery,” Anton said.
Growing your own food is becoming more popular as well, especially as food costs continue to rise.
Monarch sells a variety of fruit trees, vegetable starts and herbs for this purpose, in addition to its array of indoor and outdoor plants. Some plant varieties the nursery carries are also drought-tolerant, including Australian and South African varieties.
While perusing the perfect home or office space addition, Monarch’s healthy selection of plants are paired with personalized expertise and customer service.
Monarch Nursery is located at 3280 Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica. Follow @monarchnursery on Instagram to learn about its community events.
