Angelica's roots begin in Pennsylvania at a crossroads outside of Reading bearing the same name. In the 1930's, Thomas J. Kohl, Jr. left his father's logging operation and began a landscaping business. During the ensuing Depression years and those following World War II, the landscaping operation evolved into nursery production. This shift in focus was to satisfy the need for a quality prime source for his own landscape materials, not to mention the increasing demand from other landscape contractors in the rapidly growing metropolitan areas in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The second generation of Kohl plantsmen, Bernard, LeVerne, and Tim, became involved with both the landscaping and nursery aspects of the business. This experience of understanding and working in the related trades of landscape design and contracting gave insight to the needs and requirements of the professional horticulturist. It was this recognition of the increased demand for high quality specimen material that led the Kohls to research an area suitable for the cultivation of balled and burlapped (B&B) material.

Research for the correct soil types for B&B production and a milder environment led the family to Kent County on Maryland's Upper Eastern Shore. By 1956, the Kohl family purchased a 300 acre farm they called Angelica. Relocation to the Eastern Shore occurred in 1957 and the nursery was incorporated in 1963. Angelica Nurseries, Inc. had two locations of operation up to the early 1970's.

Tim Kohl concentrated on developing a broad selection of outstanding nursery stock for the landscape and nursery wholesale trade. Bernard's focused on equipment, maintenance and logistics. Verne's role was and continues to be one of general manager and customer relations. Over the years, Angelica has established a loyal following of discerning professionals who have come to expect top quality product and exceptional service. According to Verne, one of his main goals is to maintain an availability of inventory capable of satisfying the "want lists" of Angelica's customer base and be considered as their primary source for large specimen material.