It wasn’t too long ago that Paul and Jim Maier followed their grandfather and father as they planted azaleas, camellias, crape myrtles and a myriad of other plants at area homes.

&uot;We worked with our grandfather and father from a very young age watching them care for each and every plant,&uot; said Paul Maier.

Now, Paul and his brother, Jim Maier, are about to carry on the family business, becoming the fourth generation of Maiers to lead the company.

&uot;Our grandfather and father taught Jim and me well,&uot; Paul Maier said.

&uot;Now, it is our privilege to continue on with the company.&uot;

Their great-grandfather, Chris Maier, came to the United States around 1898 from Germany where he worked with his father as a groundskeeper for a large estate.

Prior to 1902, Chris Maier was brought to Natchez by Andrew Learned, then an officer at Britton & Koontz First National Bank to landscape and care for the grounds of Learned’s estate, Magnolia Vale.

On his arrival to Natchez on the Steamboat Dixie Belle, Chris Maier brought with him the first push lawnmower to the area.

He landscaped many of the homes in the area in the years he worked in Natchez.

Since then, other Maiers to succeed Chris Maier have been his son, W.J. Maier Sr., and W.J. Maier’s sons, W. J. &uot;Willie&uot; Maier Jr. and Pat Maier, father of Paul and Jim Maier.

The gardening business also extends to Willie Maier’s other son, Fred Maier, and his son, Ricky, and wife Traci Maier, a gardening columnist for The Natchez Democrat.

&uot;When our father talked to us about continuing the business, Jim and I felt it was our turn to carry on the long tradition of providing high-quality nursery and landscaping services to area businesses and residents,&uot; Paul Maier said. &uot;We also felt honored that we could keep the business going.&uot;

Jim Maier added, &uot;There is a matter of pride to continue it (the company) and keep it going to the next generation.&uot;

Chris Maier and Son is one of the oldest companies in the Miss-Lou.

Both Paul and Jim have a love for creating with plants.

&uot;I am always both pleased and humbled when a landscape we have designed and/or planted grows to maturity,&uot; said Paul Maier.

His brother echoed that sentiment. &uot;It’s gratifying to look at a finished job and say, &uot;I did that.&uot;

Pat Maier attended Cathedral High School before enlisting in the Air Force during the Korean War. He returned home to continue with the family business.

Paul Maier is a 1978 of Cathedral High School. In 1981, he received his associate’s degree in horticulture at Jones County Junior College.

He and his wife, Elodie, have two sons, Garrett and Curtis.

Jim Maier graduated in 1985, also from Cathedral High School and later attended the University of Mississippi. He and his wife, Katrina, have a daughter, Alisabeth.

Paul and Jim Maier attend St. Mary Basilica and are members of the Knights of Columbus.