A Gardener’s Guide to Hanover, VA Plant Nurseries
Plant Shopping Fun at Cross Creek Nursery in Hanover, VA
Hey there, fellow plant lovers! If you're anything like me, your excitement for spring is reaching a boiling point. You cannot contain yourself any longer and must get to the closest garden center! And what better way to kick off the season of growth and blooms than by exploring the fantastic nurseries right here in Hanover County, VA?
In this blog post, we're digging into my favorite local garden centers and where to find the best plants, the prettiest pots, and maybe even a friendly plant-loving neighbor or two.
So, grab your favorite pair of gardening gloves (the ones with the lucky holes, of course) and join me as we embark on a journey through Hanover County's greenest spots.
Year Round Locations:
1) Colesville Nursery: 14011 Nursery Rd, Ashland, VA 23005
The first time I went to Colesville, it was on a Saturday and I turned around and left. I was so overwhelmed by how large this place was and I had no idea where to find what I needed. I’m thankful I gave it a second chance during the week. When you arrive, check-in at the garden shop. They will show you the ropes or even walk around with you if you need further assistance. They keep an up-to-date inventory list on their website which I find helpful to pre-browse. You will need to search by a plant’s botanical name (the scientific name of the plant. I usually Google it.) I printed off an entire page of Camellia’s before going there last week so that I had a better idea of what was available. They have a native plant hoop house close to the garden shop and their plant tags throughout the property denote whether the plant is native to North America. I find it fun to visit Colesville all 4 seasons. You can drive around the property or walk. I find it fascinating to see what plants look like at different times of year. You’ll usually stumble upon a staff member or two that are always willing to chat and answer your questions. They also have an impressive house plant selection, ceramic pots, arbors, trellises, and bird baths.
2) Cross Creek Nursery- West End: 15503 Ashland Rd, Rockville, VA 23146
You wanna know, THE BEST part about Cross Creek Nursery? No, not the plants…you’ll never guess! It is the bouncy house! I mean seriously, you can take your kids or grandkids here with zero complaints. They have a bouncy house up almost every day and if you check their events calendar, they often have kid-friendly and adult classes. Cross Creek Nursery West End offers a comprehensive range of plants, gardening supplies, and landscaping services. Their inventory includes a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals suitable for enhancing outdoor spaces. They also provide a wide selection of gardening tools, soils, fertilizers, and other essentials to support gardeners in their projects. They have a large collection of beautiful pottery as well. Additionally, Cross Creek Nursery West End offers landscaping design and installation services, helping customers create and maintain beautiful gardens and landscapes.
3) Sandy’s Plants: 8011 Bell Creek Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
When you visit Sandy's, you're in for an adventure! Hop on one of their golf carts and explore their extensive nursery grounds. Sandy's Plants, nestled in Mechanicsville, Virginia, is a paradise for plant lovers like you. Specializing in container perennials, herbs, STEPABLES®, groundcovers, and ornamental grasses, they boast a vast selection of rare and unusual varieties. They DO NOT sell trees or annuals. Their plants are grown outdoors year-round, which means they are already adapted to our local climate. Their website is excellent. It is easy to search and filter for what you want and most items have beautiful pictures. They do not sell soils and fertilizers or any kind of hard goods.
4) Hanover Plant Farm: 13580 Ashland Road, Ashland, VA 23005
Hanover Plant Farm is nestled within the Hanover Vegetable Farm. They offer offer a full selection of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, VA natives, pottery, fertilizers, soils, seasonal plants (Mums, pansies, vegetable starts, Christmas trees), and a farmer’s market year-round. I like that they offer Proven Winners plants (Hello, Supertunia Vista Bubblegum!!). Proven Winners expects top-quality plants from their nurseries so I have no doubt that I am purchasing healthy, happy plants. In addition to Proven Winners plants, they are one of the only certified David Austin rose growers in the area. David Austin roses are the best roses on the market, in my opinion. They also sell other gardening essentials and they support local growers, like Plants for Purpose berries, right at your fingertips. They now offer landscaping services and patio furniture as well.
Seasonal Locations:
1) Crowder Farms: 4228 Crown Hill Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Discover the rustic charm of Crowder Farms! Nestled in the Cold Harbor area of Mechanicsville, their family-owned farm offers gorgeous Spring annuals and vegetable starter plants. This is my go-to for hanging baskets. In the fall, they have the prettiest and healthiest mums you have ever seen along with ornamental pumpkins and gourds. I’ve also purchased several pottery pieces from here. They have a wide selection of garden flags for every season too! Open mid-March through Mother’s Day (Go early for the best selection) and then again in the Fall for pumpkin and mum season.
2) Ashland Feed Store: 120 Thompson St, Ashland, VA 23005
Ashland Feed Store is your one-stop shop for all things gardening! Dive into a colorful world of vibrant flowers and hearty vegetable plants that will bring your garden to life. From heirloom tomatoes to blooming marigolds, they have everything you need to cultivate a thriving garden. One of the unique features of Ashland Feed is that you can purchase seed by weight. So if you only want to grow 4 green bean plants, you can get that many seeds instead of needing to purchase a big seed packet. They also sell soil and amendments as well as cute, decorative gardening items and even Sloggers (super cute gardening shoes).
3) Full Pocket Farm: 15094 Hawks Climb Ln, Montpelier, VA 23192
Full Pocket Farm is a super special place. They are more than just a farm - they’re a community. Located in Montpelier, their farm is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through meaningful work and connection with nature. They have a large amount of succulent plants and raised vegetable garden beds. The property is fun to explore and is often open to the public for special events, including picnics and fishing. It is fun to go real homestead living. They have livestock, an orchard, bees, vegetable gardens, and more.
Cutting Garden is a whimsical, roadside stand. Discover inexpensive cut flower arrangements and a curated selection of native plants to enrich your garden. From vibrant coneflowers to elegant milkweeds, natives support local ecosystems and should be a large part of any garden. They also have some non-native gems, like the stunning, large angel wing begonia that I purchased for a house plant last Fall. They also have eggs and blueberries on occasion.
5) B&B Farms: 7452 John Henry Lane Mechanicsville, VA 23111
They are open early March-early June. They offer flowering plants, vegetable starts, seeds, & more. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this nursery. They are recommended in gardening groups time and time again. I was hoping to visit this week, but they are closed on Wednesdays when I was doing my shopping. I’ll get there soon though.
Private and By Appointment Only Locations:
All of these small businesses are located in Ashland, VA and require online purchase or contacting the business directly. They both also do local farmer’s markets and plant festivals. I’ve worked with both of these companies and have had success with their plants.
1) Davis Natives:
Experience the beauty of native plants with Davis Natives! Their small but mighty nursery is dedicated to preserving and promoting the biodiversity of our local ecosystems. By appointment only, you'll have the opportunity to explore our curated selection of native plants, including wildflowers, shrubs, and trees, perfect for creating a sustainable and vibrant landscape. Their website lists current and upcoming plant offerings.
Indulge your senses at Plant with Purpose Berry Farm! Matthew Goldman specializes in naturally grown edible plants and a few ornamental plants. I have purchased raspberry plants and plan to purchase more items in the coming season. Creating an edible landscape is easy with Plants with Purpose.
Last, but certainly not least, is yours truly. I specialize in container-grown bulbs and have seasonal availability. I hope to offer more plants, container gardening, and maybe even cut flower garden seed kits each season so stay tuned. My main crop is peonies and they will be offered in future seasons as well. This season we’re focus on their root growth and development.
So there you have it, Flower Friends! As we wrap up our journey through the lush landscapes of Hanover County's nurseries and garden centers, I hope you're feeling as inspired as I am. From the quaint charm of Ashland Feed Store to the verdant offerings at Sandy's Plants, each destination offers a unique botanical adventure.
A quick reminder through all of the excitement of discovering new plants and garden treasures, let's not forget the importance of supporting our local growers and preserving our native landscapes. By choosing to buy local, we not only nurture our community's economy but also reduce our ecological footprint. And when we opt for native plants, we're not just beautifying our gardens; we're creating habitats for local wildlife and preserving the biodiversity of our precious ecosystems.
So as you embark on your gardening endeavors, remember the power of buying local and buying native. Let's cultivate not just gardens, but connections – with our community, with nature, and with the earth we call home.
Happy gardening, my green-thumbed friends!
Keep Blooming,
Nicole Dillon, Breemar Flower Farm
*Photo Credit: Photos were added from the seller’s Google Profile or social media
