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ABOUT US

Panhandle Greenhouses was established in 1991. Over the years it has become one of the leading greenhouse/patio stores in the area.  We invite you to come and stroll through our beautiful greenhouses where we grow 95% of everything we sell on location.  We are not just plants anymore, we offer a large line of Patio Furniture, Pottery and much more.  

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Meet the Owners

PGH was started by James and Rhonda Cathey.  James started working at a greenhouse when he was thirteen years old in 1976.  This business is like any other occupation, you need to love what you do.  In 1989 James and Rhonda were married.  Rhonda’s background was in photography.  She learned plants very quickly because after they were married she helped oversee a seasonal retail business that James did on the side.  We had locations in 4 different towns.  She quickly began to love the business as much as James.

James Cathey

Rhonda Cathey

Cody Vavra

Shelby Vavra

Cody and Shelby Vavra took ownership of Panhandle Greenhouses & Floral Inc on July 1st, 2024. While ownership has changed, the greenhouse remains the same place you know and love! James, Rhonda, and Aaryn are excited to begin their next chapter but are still key to the transition. You’ll still see them around the greenhouse for years to come. They will always be a part of the PGH family!

Shelby was raised in Littlefield, Texas, and attended Tarleton State University, where she earned a B.S. in Horticulture and an M.S. in Agriculture Leadership with a focus in Horticulture. Since 2012, she’s been working in the horticulture industry. Before moving to Amarillo, Texas, she served as the Perennial and Annual Grower for Greenleaf
Nursery Company in Oklahoma. Shelby has a deep love for plants and enjoys helping people bring their gardening visions to life!


Cody grew up in Bryan, Texas, and also attended Tarleton State University, earning a B.S. in Wildlife Management. He then pursued his graduate education at Texas Tech University, obtaining an M.S. in Plant & Soil Science with an emphasis in Plant Breeding, followed by a Ph.D. in Plant & Soil Science with a focus on Sustainable Food Systems and Indigenous Food Sovereignty. Before moving, Cody served as the Horticulturist & Agroecology and Sustainable Systems Specialist for the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. Throughout his academic and professional career, he has published and
co-authored several peer-reviewed publications, research/extension reports, and Tribal reports. Cody’s true passion is sharing the knowledge and experience he’s gained with the public and addressing their needs in the best way possible. If you have any questions about plants or anything related to agricultural production systems, Cody is
the person to ask!

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