The Best 5 Nurseries & Garden Centers in New England

The best nurseries and garden centers in New England, as chosen by gardening expert Tovah Martin.

Tovah Martin, author of more than a dozen gardening books, including The New Terrarium (Clarkson Potter, 2009) and Tasha Tudor’s Garden (Houghton Mifflin, 1994), cruises the countryside on periodic reconnaissance missions, finding ingredients to stuff into her already jam-packed outdoor and indoor plantings. Here she divulges the names of the venues she raids on an annual basis. 

The Best Nurseries and Garden Centers in New England

Snug Harbor Farm When it comes to gardening, it’s all in the presentation. On the snazz-o-meter, Snug Harbor’s containers, are seismic, with a sense of humor tossed in. Offering (among other novelties) succulents tucked into cement bricks and topiaries created from uncommon botanicals, folks here elevate gardening to the level of fine art. Open year-round. 87 Western Ave., Kennebunk, ME. 207-967-2414; snugharborfarm.comNasami Farm Native Plant Nursery Going native? Make a beeline to the New England Wildflower Society’s nursery, knowing that the plants you purchase are sustainably collected from seed or propagated on site. A newbie to natives? Staff members here know their stuff. Open April to early October. 128 North St., Whately, MA. 413-397-9922; newfs.org/visit/nasami-farmBroken Arrow Nursery If selecting woody plants gives you the shakes, quake no more. You’ll find the experts here, plus an unparalleled inventory of off-the-beaten-track and brand-new varieties (as well as selected old standbys). Their mountain-laurel collection is incredible. Open April to October 31. 13 Broken Arrow Road, Hamden, CT. 203-288-1026; brokenarrownursery.comCady’s Falls Nursery No need to worry about hardiness when your purchase comes from the far reaches of Vermont. Cady’s propagates its own stock of ironclad but state-of-the-art perennials, trees, and shrubs so that you can ferret out unique finds. The goodies are displayed in gardens (which feel less like show gardens and more like your backyard), all of them chock-full of enviable ideas. Open May to October. 637 Duhamel Road, Morrisville, VT. 802-888-5559; cadysfallsnursery.comWalker Farm Not only is Walker, a one-stop shop for humdrum-busting annuals (such as ‘Flying Saucer’ morning glories), but where else are you going to find 82 varieties of heirloom tomatoes and 21 types of eggplants? Open early April to Thanksgiving. 1190 U.S. Route 5, East Dummerston, VT. 802-254-2051; walkerfarm.com Do you have a favorite New England garden center? For more tips and suggestions, check out Yankee‘s “Gardening in New England” blog with Shelley Wigglesworth