In my house, the Easter Bunny was a feisty fellow.  He would hide our beloved holiday baskets and never in the same spot.  Each year, my brother and I would go hunting, which would often include searches of nearly every room of the house and sometimes the backyard.  Nothing was out of bounds for that clever hare.  Surely, the most memorable location would have to be the bathtub.  

Reflecting on these playful childhood memories, it becomes evident that the joy of the Easter holiday extends far beyond our own family experiences, encompassing diverse traditions celebrated worldwide.  Observed in various ways around the globe, Easter serves as a significant symbol of spring’s renewal, the spiritual commemoration of Christ’s resurrection, or simply the juvenile excitement of hunting for those glorious chocolate eggs. 

Among the bountiful traditions brought to Pennsylvania by German immigrants in the early 1700s, several have become deeply intertwined within the fabric of our local culture.  In the small town of Schwenksville, where many of these traditions took root, one enduring symbol of renewal awaits visitors at Ott’s Exotic Plants.  

Established generations ago as a family business, Ott’s Exotic Plants has grown into a beloved local landmark, fascinating visitors with its vibrant seasonal blooms and expansive greenhouse operations. This all stems from the dedication of one remarkable man; Godfrey Ott.

He arrived in mid-July 1914 as a child from Germany, reportedly aboard the S.S. French, accompanied by his parents, John and Elizabeth, and several siblings.  A bout with polio left young Godfrey crippled, severely restricting his mobility from his waist down for most of his life.  It wasn’t until around his twenty-eighth birthday that corrective braces were fitted, finally putting an end to the crawl that had served as his only means of movement.

Despite his physical challenges and never having attended proper school, Godfrey dedicated himself to laboring in the original family greenhouse – a modest ten-by-twenty structure.  His diligent efforts not only sustained the family but also contributed to the budding success of their horticulture operations.  As the years passed, Godfrey became an integral part of the business, assisting in the sale of vegetables door-to-door and nurturing their growing regional clientele.

After the death of his mother, Godfrey assumed leadership of the business.  With the assistance of his devoted wife, Eleanor, Godfrey embarked on a lifetime journey of unique commercial expansion and ongoing family transformation.  By 1979, the Ott family had expanded to include six children and twenty-three grandchildren.

Currently run by his sons, Ott’s century-old farm occupies several spectacular buildings on over forty-five acres of land along Gravel Pike.  It has become not only a tourist spot but also a place to purchase house and garden plants, annual starter vegetables, home decor, wedding arrangements, and more.

Easter is a bustling time at Ott’s Exotic Plants, as the greenhouse comes alive with its annual array of exquisite tulips, golden daffodils, dainty daisies and fragrant hyacinth.  Every day, Ott’s opens its doors, offering a bounty of colors and scents meticulously grown or crafted on-site for the season.  Along with its interior waterfall, multi-story plants, charming fish ponds, and a curious cat or two, a visit to Ott’s is a time-honored tradition that remains for future generations to enjoy.

Godfrey (1905-1895) and Eleanor (1919-1996) are buried at Keely’s Church Cemetery.