About

Mikulcik’s Nursery was founded in 1988 by David Mikulcik upon his return to Murray from studying at Clemson University. The independent nursery was formally incorporated in 1993 and focused on collecting a wide diversity of plants and breeding selections that could grow in the Jackson Purchase region. From its earliest beginnings, Mikulcik’s Nursery has striven to seek out unusual specimens adapted to growing well in western Kentucky and the surrounding area.

In his love of plants, David Mikulcik joined the International Oak Society, Magnolia Society, and Holly Society of America. These groups help secure unique introductions to the area. Today, Mikulcik’s Nursery has several oak species including Quercus serrata, Quercus rober, Quercus coccinea, Quercus lyrata, Quercus glauca, Quercus laurifolia and Quercus virginiana. One of the many breeding projects conducted at the nursery has been to develop evergreen (or mostly evergreen) white oaks and live oak trees that can survive the cold winters of Kentucky. Similarly, the magnolia collection includes a variety of species including Magnolia tripetala, Magnolia virginiana, Magnolia acuminata, and a northern adapted Magnolia grandiflora. As members of the Great Rivers Holly Society, we maintain approximately a dozen different species of hollies at the nursery. With these specimens the nursery has an ongoing project in cross pollinating different species with one another to develop additional combinations of leaves, berries, and tree forms.

Near the front part of the nursery, a small conifer garden was planted in the early 1990s for interested parties to see how these plants might look in their mature forms. The currently includes, amongst other trees: Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera ‘Gold Thread’, Thuja occidentalis ‘Rheingold’, Juniperus communis ‘Horstmann’, Juniperus communis ‘Gold cone’, Chamaecyparis obtusa, Juniperus communis (creeping), Thuja occidentalis (from South Carolina); Cedrus libani, Tsuga canadensis, Picea orientalis, and Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Plumosa’.

The nursery is also home to a large collection of temperate bamboos. Throughout the years, we have grown many different species, but as with all our plants, some species have proved to be better suited for western Kentucky than others. We currently have about 31 species. There are also at least three sections of seedling bamboos that were collected off of our own plants. These seedlings are believed to be hybrids.

The maple collection is a joy to see in autumn when the leaves change color. We offer for sale numerous species of ornamental maple trees including Japanese (Acer palmatum), Korean (A. pseudosieboldianum) and Chinese (A. oliverianum) maples. We have many cultivars of Japanese maples including our own selections with unusual leaf patterns or a particular adaptability to the environment. We are excited to have found trees that appear to be hybrids between A. palmatum and A. oliverianum. These are characterized by being drought resistant and having small, dark green leaves ornamented with clusters of red seeds. Maples have been made available in both individual and wholesale quantities over the years.

Additionally, our breeding projects have selected cold-hardy Camellias and Osmanthus. We have also been able to grow white birch, Rhododendrons, blue spruce and even needle palms in western Kentucky.

Our work with plants is continually changing. We are happy to be located in Western Kentucky and to be able to share our experience with others that have a deep fondness for horticulture.

David Mikulcik

David Mikulcik graduated from Murray High School in 1981 and attended Murray State University. While at Murray State he studied under Dr. Roger Macha and Dr. John Griffin. He went to England with Dr. Griffin to study principles of English gardening and toured St. Andrews in Scotland. After completing his studies in biology, horticulture, and design principles, David extended his studies with a master’s program at Clemson University. His work at Clemson focused on micropropagation of kiwis while he also taught courses on woody plant identification..

David’s landscaping studies in European gardens were contrasted when introduced to Japanese sukiya styles, and he worked briefly with world class garden designer David Slawson. Using Japanese design principles, one seeks to create a tranquil scene that imitates the beauty of nature. For a short time, David also taught landscape design at Murray State University, and lectured on bonsai to local students studying Japanese. The oldest bonsai on the nursery is an olive tree that is about 40 years old.

Erik Mikulcik

Erik Mikulcik graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2019 where he majored in Agriculture and Chemistry. Erik minored in floral design and biology and now enjoys using plants found on the nursery in his arrangements. Some of his initial horticultural studies after graduation involved micropropagation of Amaryllis, Crinum, and Asparagus. In 2025 and 2026, an additional greenhouse was constructed in the front of the nursery to service unique vegetables, flowers, and ornamentals. He has also continued our own selections of Roma tomatoes and Eggplants while managing the mission of making natural and horticultural selections of a diversity of plants available. Erik enjoys sharing his work. In 2025, he presented on Rhododendron flower genetics to plant breeding students. He is currently searching for a cold hardy Eucalyptus tree.