Shrewsbury – Reuben Lebeaux, the founder of Shrewsbury Nurseries, can look out onto Route 9 and remember when it was just a dirt road. Born the youngest of three boys, Reuben grew up on Buttonwood Farm, where his father and uncle raised dairy cows and grew crops. Reuben vividly recalls riding on horseback, sitting behind his father, as they inspected fences on the 200-acre farm. It was a much simpler time.    "To go to Worcester on the trolley with my mother was a big deal," he said.    When Route 9 was upgraded, Reuben's father opened a restaurant called Moosehead Corner. When the moosehead was stolen, it became known as Lebeaux's Lunch. His father also opened a gas station.    "Gasoline was six gallons for a dollar," Reuben said.    The fuel was delivered by a Model T truck with a tank attached to it.    After graduating from the Major Beal High School in 1942, Reuben's life changed dramatically when he was drafted in 1943.    "That was my first excursion out of the area," he said.    Reuben's "excursion" would take him to Europe with the 106th infantry division where he was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. He was honored with the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Years later, he and his wife, Joan, toured those very same battlefields.    After the war, Reuben headed to the Stockbridge School of Agricultural (part of the University of Massachusetts) under the GI bill, and earned a degree in ornamental horticulture.    During summer breaks, he began mowing lawns for customers in Worcester. After college, Reuben opened Shrewsbury Nurseries on a section of the farm that had been once been fields of squash.    "Little by little we grew," he said. "When I started there were maybe 10 varieties of juniper … I bet you there's at least 200 now."    Over the years, Reuben served as a Shrewsbury selectman and on the finance and appeals boards, as well as chairing various nursery associations. He has two children, John and Robin, who now run the business. His first wife, Lucille, died in 1974, and he married Joan in 1976.    "It will be our 30th [anniversary] next year," he said.    Reuben and Joan traveled throughout Europe, and made numerous visits to Dutch growers in Holland who had become friends through the business.    Since the early 1960s, the public has been treated to the "horticultural humor" displayed on Shrewsbury Nurseries' signs along Route 9. Reuben said he created most of the sayings, with some contributions from family and friends. Years ago, one particular saying referred to the groundcover myrtle being good in a bed and was featured in "Ms. Magazine" under the heading of "obnoxious signs." Reuben said the Worcester newspapers picked up on it, and offered a rebuttal.    "That brought a lot of publicity," Reuben said.    Shrewsbury Nurseries recently won "Best Nursery" awards from both "Worcester Magazine" and "Worcester Telegram & Gazette."    Reuben said you have to change with the times and give customers what they want. Today that means materials for water gardens and drought-resistant grasses. Of course, personal service still means a lot.    "I come down here every day and spend a good part of the day … answering questions and greeting old customers," Reuben said.    Some customers are third-generation gardeners. It's no wonder since, as the sign says, Shrewsbury Nurseries "can ease your growing pains" and offer "shady deals from this seedy bunch."    Send story ideas to: Recollections@CatherineCairns.com