Spring Is Here: Time to Hit the Nurseries

It’s planting time and the nurseries are chock full of annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees to entice even the most indifferent gardener. Pony packs, gallon pots, hanging baskets of brilliant colored blooms are all on display to catch the buyer’s eye. While plants may be cheaper at big-box stores, the old adage “you get what you pay for” truly applies. Much of that plant material is grown in hothouse conditions and heavily fertilized to make them look lush. Once taken out of that controlled climate and planted in the ground, exposed to the unpredictable conditions of the natural climate, they often fail to thrive.

Luckily, Woodinville is centrally located near a host of first rate, independent nurseries, many of which grow the plants nearby. Others, such as Classic Nursery in Redmond, are selective about what they carry.

“We don’t just order a big lot full of plants from wholesalers,” said Don Rosebrook, operations manager at Classic. “I personally pick out every plant we sell.”

Here are some of the best nurseries in the area:

Molbak’s—Woodinville’s perennial favorite (Get it? Perennial favorite? Oh stop cringing, you’ve gone for puns too) is not just a trendy showcase. The staff is exceptionally well trained and the plant material is some of the finest in the area. The selection is always incredible, even in the depths of winter. There are also lots of free seminars. This year, in addition to its own staff, Washington State University Master Gardeners will be on hand to answers questions (check the nursery’s website for exact dates).  If great plants aren’t enough of a draw, there is also a home décor store, which is a destination in itself. Plus there is a café with one of the best dining areas in Woodinville.

Bassetti’s Crooked Arbor Gardens—Only open Friday and Saturday from May through September, Bassetti’s in Woodinville is another great destination nursery (meaning it’s worth the gas just to go to this nursery, even if you don’t plan in buying). Owned by Leanette Bassetti and her husband, Bill Berleman, the nursery boasts a woodland garden complete with a crooked arbor, a Japanese garden, perennial garden, and a large vegetable garden with espaliered fruit trees. There are also private sculptures by well-known artists are placed throughout the grounds. The retail nursery specializes in dwarf conifers, alpine plants, container plants and trees. There is also a gift shop selling creative garden items including accessories, garden tables and chairs.

—Olympic specializes in landscape trees, including flowering and ornamental trees as well as trees that provide privacy and screening. There are certified arborists on staff to help you choose the perfect tree for your yard. Down in the heart of the Sammamish Valley, Olympic has 10 acres of trees. There are trees that are 6 feet tall and trees 25 feet tall. It’s a great place to stroll through and really get a sense of how the tree will look in the home landscape. In addition to a landscape service, there is also a tree-planting service. Owner Tom Quigley is also active in the preservation of the Valley’s agricultural heritage.

Classic Nursery—Classic is just down Avondale Road in Redmond. It’s not only a great nursery; it’s also a bit of a nature reserve. Located along Bear Creek, Classic has created trails down to the water so people can watch the salmon during spawning time. There are 8 acres of plants, including a nice selection of natives. Walking through the nursery, it’s easy to forget it’s a retail outlet and not just someone’s great backyard. The collection of plants for sale has the popular favorites found at most nurseries, but also a large selection of more unusual cultivars. The staff is also friendly and knowledgeable.

Flower World—Flower World in Snohomish is big, really, really big. You need a map to keep from getting lost. Don’t be intimidated by its size; there are lots of friendly staff to help you find specific plants, but really, the fun here is in the browsing. Fruit trees? Check. Vegetable starts? Check. Perennials, annuals, shrubs, grasses, aquatic plants? Check, check, check, check. Flower World started as a wholesale plant nursery in 1968 and is still a major wholesaler in the U.S. Luckily it started selling to the public in the early 1990s. In addition to acres and acres of plants there are fountains, garden pots and statuary,  tools and hardscape materials. There is also a huge geyser-like fountain in the middle of a large pond and a working water wheel. This is definitely one of those nurseries to bring the whole family along to.

Antique Rose Farm—Farther down from Flower World in Snohomish is the Antique Rose Farm, a specialty nursery with one of the largest collections of David Austin roses around, plus a large barn full of antiques. The business is run by the McElhouse family and specialized in roses but there is also a variety of unusual plants every season. The best time to visit is now; the nursery has new plants arriving constantly. The best time to visit to just stop and smell the roses is late summer when everything is in bloom. 

Boxhill Farm—One of the best things to do on a mild spring day is to walk around Boxhill Farm in Duvall, it’s one of the most picturesque nurseries in the area. Situated in the Snoqualmie River Valley, the farm began as a dairy operation in the early 1920s. The original big barn still stands on the property. The nursery began in 1998 and specializes in daylilies, boxwood and bamboo. There are always unusual cultivars at Boxhill making this self-proclaimed “quirky” nursery a must visit.